It's the season of giving. I have been a gardener for many years and have all the tools and other gardening supplies I need or want. Oh, I get new ones from time to time, but it's rare. When I give gifts, I always want them to be desirable, valuable and long-lasting. Therefore, I will give you some tips on how to give gifts to gardeners.
Many gardeners and non-gardeners love plants. These gifts should not be limited to "traditional" poinsettias, Christmas cacti, amaryllis, cyclamens and Norfolk Island pine, but can also include other plants that can be successfully cared for at home. Some suggestions: garden plants (which require a lot of maintenance), orchids, rosemary, miniature roses, lemon trees and others. Some can be purchased locally from gardeners, nurseries or florists, while others may need to be ordered. All of this will provide months or even years of enjoyment if the recipient is positioned right for good plant health.
Be careful with the tools. There is no shortage of gardening tools and equipment. If you are purchasing equipment for someone, I suggest a few things to consider. Cheap devices are a waste of money. They don't last, can be difficult to use, cause frustration and end up not being used. Good tools, if properly maintained, can last a gardener forever. My favorite spatula is the one my mom bought me in the 1950s.
Today's best hand tools are ergonomically designed for ease and comfort of use. Some, like hand pruners, come in different sizes to fit the gardener's hand. If they are too large, they will be difficult to use. If you garden a lot, this is important to reduce fatigue and prevent repeated stress injuries.
Good tools are expensive and available in a wide range. If the gift recipient is serious about gardening, you may want to consider a gift card. The tools a person uses to do something tend to be very personal to those who take their work seriously, and everyone has a favorite tool for a particular job.
While there are many good gardening magazines, those who are more interested in plants and gardens, gardener or not, can benefit from subscribing to one of the many gardening magazines in my opinion. Others. Three of these magazines are: American Gardener, a member magazine of the American Horticultural Society (ahsgardening.org). Horticulture (hortmag.com); and Fine Gardening (finegardening.com). The benefit of joining the American Horticultural Society is that membership gives you free access to more than 350 of North America's best community gardens and arboretums, as well as other programs and resources.
There are many accessories, special items, garden decorations, pictures and more to look out for. Think about the gardener's special needs and collections and plan a gift for the recipient. If purchased carefully, most of these items will provide you with many years of use and enjoyment.
This article originally appeared in the Amarillo Globe-News column: The Garden Guy: Gifts for Gardeners.
