Things You'll Need:
- An idea of what your prospective gardener really enjoys most about gardening or what their tastes run to.
- A little scouting for their favorite catalogs and those supplies they may already have.
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Step 1
UNIQUE PURCHASES
Nursery stock makes an exciting gift: a young tree, bush, shrub, etc.
A nursery or landscaping dealer is also the place to find decorative garden items, paving stones, or various types of fill for areas your gardener may be trying to improve.
Garden step stones or a bird bath are welcome in almost any gardeners environment, whether large or small. Both of these items can also be hand-made out of concrete.
A birdhouse, or bird house kit is usually a wecome gift, too.
If your gardener has trouble with animals invading her garden or cleaning off her fruit trees, purchase some netting or fencing to protect her plants.
A new garden hose or hose reel for storage is something everyone needs to replace from time to time.
Water tepees for the person growing tomatoes or peppers in cooler climates make useful gifts.
If your gardener also does their own canning, they will need to replace their canning lids or need some new canning jars. They might also like to try some pickling or salsa mixes, or need a few boxes for fruit pectin for making jams and jellies.
If the gardener is just starting out, maybe they could use a canner, a food processor, or other supplies for storing and processing their harvests.
If you live in the country, you might find out if your garden loving friend needs a large amount of fertilizer or compost, then locate a local farm where you could purchase a truck load of rotted manure. It may not be a glamourous gift, but it can be a gardener's delight. You can also buy smaller amounts in 50# bags from local garden centers.
Add to their library with a new gardening book or garden journal.
Could your friend use grass seed, lyme, or other lawn and garden amendments? -
Step 2
HOMEMADE GIFTS
The popular Gift Basket idea easily extends to a gardening concept. Instead of a basket, however, you could use a watering can, a pail, a planter box, or other garden container to stock.
Items in the container could include a trowel, garden gloves, seed packets, potting soil, plant markers, plant food, a garden knee pad, a bottle of sparkling water, starter plants, bulbs, garden books, or gift certificates.
Flower pots, especially clay pots, work well to paint on, or to decoupage pictures onto. This is an especially fun idea for young children who want to give a crafty gift to mom or grandma. You could include a packet of seeds with the gift.
Earlier I mentioned a concrete bird bath or stepping stones as a gift. You can find kits for stepping stones at craft supply stores or simply web search "garden stepping stone kits". For instructions on how to make a concrete bird bath, one of the many ehow articles on the subject.
Items decorated with home pressed flowers make a charming gift. You could do a set; for instance, with a few pressed pansies you could decorate stationery, a flowery candle, a picture frame, etc. -
Step 3
EXCITING GIFT CERTIFICATES
If you find it too difficult to choose a tree or shrub, then opt for a gift certificate to a nursery or green house.
Even in winter, a gardener never stops planning. Perhaps a subscription to a gardening or other outdoor magazine would be ideal. For ideas, check out the links at the end of the article.
If it's Christmas, then you can bet your gardening granny or friend has started receiving garden catalogs in the mail. Sneak out the phone number from one she likes and order a gift certificate she can use in a month or two as she makes out her spring order.
Hire someone to do a lawn service . . . or, offer a coupon or I.O.U. for free rototilling, weeding, or planting services. This idea is great for a teenager who has energy, but not a lot of money to spend. For grandparents, this is especially nice. It's right up there with free raking and lawn mowing . . . now there's another idea!
