Gardener Holiday Gift Ideas

The holidays are fast approaching and most people have a gardener or two on their gift list. An informal poll of Master Gardeners in the area yielded some excellent ideas for those folks on the list.

Tools are always a good choice. It is best to make the tool do the work to save the body; work smarter, not harder.  A hori-hori garden knife is one of the prime choices. This steel blade is serrated on one side and sharp on the other. Slightly concave with measurements built right into the blade, it is the perfect tool for hand digging, planting bulbs, removing stubborn weeds, and even cutting back small branches. Japanese in origin, gardeners find this tool is the one they cannot do without. Be sure to purchase one with a hilt to prevent accidental slips onto the blade when using it.

For weeding, some gardeners preferred the CobraHead weeders, while others preferred the Japanese weeding sickle.  The later only comes in a short handle version, while the CobraHead has several handle lengths.  Both are good for shallow weeding and getting in tight spaces.

Good quality pruners are a must for any gardener. Bypass pruners are a “must-have” for gardeners. With two curved blades that pass one another, they are used for pruning smaller bushes, not trees (use loppers for those tasks). Get the best quality ones that the budget will allow.   

Another recommendation that came from the poll was a good quality kneeling/sitting bench to ease the strain on knees and backs. Those benches that can flip over to accommodate either a kneeling or sitting position are the preferred option. Not just for older gardeners, this item ranked high among younger gardeners as well who liked the versatility and used it for other tasks besides gardening.

While there is a plethora of garden trugs on the market, the flexible plastic/rubber ones top the list for gardeners. The handles held up better on name brand models than cheaper ones, according to users.  With two handles and superb flexibility, these trugs are great to work with when clearing gardens, hauling crops, weeds, soil, or water. They are easy to clean and store.  They come in several sizes and colors from dull to brilliant.

Winter is coming and the days can be a bit dull. Brighten a gardener’s day with a subscription to a good gardening magazine.  “Garden Gate” was the top recommendation followed closely by “Fine Gardening”. Although it is not a magazine, the Baker Seed Catalog is resplendent with color photos, does require a fee to obtain, and was suggested as a way to pass winter days. If a book is a better option, try “Bringing Nature Home” by Doug Tallamy, which explores the link between native wildlife species and native plants.

Lastly, encourage a gardener by giving a membership to one the of many botanical gardens.  Olbrich Botanical Gardens (Madison), Rotary Botanical Gardens (Janesville), Allen Centennial Garden (Madison), Green Bay Botanical Garden, Boerner Botanical Garden (Hales Corner) Paine Art Center and Gardens (Oshkosh), and UW Arboretum (Madison) are just a few that come to mind. Better yet, plan a day when you and your gift recipient can go together, enjoy the sites, and spend quality time together. There is no better gift than the gift of time.

Carol Shirk

Certified Master Gardener