“Some people are just born with the garden in their souls.” Unknown

MONTHLY THEME: Christmas Gift Ideas for Gardeners

If someone you love loves gardening, gifting them a special gardening present will brighten their Christmas day. Over the years, I’ve written about all the common Christmas plants; i.e., Poinsettia, Amaryllis, Christmas Cactus, Norfolk Pine, and Paperwhites. Instead of highlighting another Christmas plant, I’m going to toss out some Christmas gift ideas for the gardener in your life.

What is the one thing a gardener can never have enough of? PLANTS! The first and easiest suggestion is plants. Trust me, it’s true, gardeners love plants and will make room for another plant. However, pay attention to what plants they already have. Check out their house, garden, sunroom, and ask questions to get a better idea of what plant they don’t have or haven’t tried to grow yet. Look for something unique not just another spider plant, snake plant or messy Boston Fern. How about a miniature citrus fruit tree, pomegranate tree, String of Turtles (instead of a String of Pearls), Chinese money plant, Red Dragon flower, air plant, rare succulents or Kokedama? Also, don’t forget about seeds, bulbs, and tubers. The options are seemingly endless.

Second go-to gift idea would be GARDENING TOOLS. You can find an inexpensive gift such as a weeder or an expensive new wheelbarrow. Felco brand pruners are always much appreciated. Those who have herb gardens would value Nalata Nalata Herb Shearers. Many gardeners swear by Nisaku Hori Hori gardening knives (pictured below). Some other great tools include A.M. Leonard Soil Knife, Wilson 14” Digging Trowel, Edwards Bulb Planter or Sentei Garden Scissors (said to last for years and years). Even a new lightweight garden hose with an efficient nozzle would be an excellent gift.

GARDENING GARB like UV proof hats (washable please and thank you) and shirts, gardener’s work belt or apron, bib overalls, Mock Garden Rubber Boots or gardener’s sleeves to protect the wrist and forearm. Gardening gloves – one can never have enough pairs of gloves. I prefer Mud gloves or styles with Polyurethane coated plastic-palms.

How about DIRT?!? I’m not kidding -- good potting soil can cost $25 for a 1.5 cubic foot bag. Manure is also on my wish list. Pay for a delivery of manure or mulch. Less costly, would be a small bag of succulent mix, perlite or organic fertilizer.

How about a gift of a GARDEN OUTING? Tickets to The Cleveland Botanical Gardens, Kingwood Center Garden in Mansfield or Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron would be a delightful adventure.

Consider the BIRDS. Gardeners are nature lovers and most probably enjoy watching the birds in their yards. This opens a whole other avenue of gift giving. Bird houses, bird baths, bat houses, bird seed and suet, bird feeders, etc.

GIFT CERTIFICATES to their favorite garden center. In northeastern Ohio, Petitti’s Garden Center, Suncrest Gardens or Pizzute’s are fine choices. A gift certificate from an online garden store such as Gardens Alive!, Inc. It’s a privately owned catalog company that specializes in organic products. Other picks would be Renee’s Garden, Territorial Seed Company or Johnny’s seed catalog.

A gift certificate for a flower arrangement WORKSHOP. Just do a quick Google search for classes in your area and I’m sure you’ll find several locations. How about a gift certificate for a Master Gardener’s class?

If you are a carpenter, you could BUILD a raised bed, plant stand, trellis or a gardening table for your loved one. Or my dream greenhouse, but that’s only for the rich and famous!

GIFT OF GARDENING – gift them a day of gardening. Frankly, labor is expensive, and our time is priceless. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful gift to receive an afternoon of manual labor? As my mom grew older, she told me what she wanted for Mother’s Day was for me to come over and weed her flowerbeds. I would do that for her with loving care and it made her ever so happy.

As you can see, this gardening Christmas gift list can go on and on. Nevertheless, here’s some more ideas: compost tea brewing system, in-door mini garden kit, garden stool/kneeler, irrigation/drip systems, heating mats, grow lights, gardening books or journals, soil tester kit, planters/containers (any size or shape), mini-terrarium/greenhouse, hydroponic propagation jars, fairy garden kit, Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Cream Therapy. Cedarcide Family-Safe Bug Sprays, garden tool tote, vertical planter, Oya Water Gardening Pot, watering can or plant tag markers. Phew, there are no excuses now – you can’t say you didn’t know what to buy the gardener in your family or circle of friends!

At this point, I’ll leave you to your Christmas shopping with heartfelt wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy 2025!