Gifts for Gardeners

What do gardeners want for Christmas?
I did a “scientific” poll of eight serious plant lovers, and the unanimous result is…. (drum roll and swishing curtain sound sounds) Tools!!

Caution. This doesn’t mean you’ll thrill your favorite gardening fanatic on Christmas with any old tool from the closest box store. It means, do a little homework and find a high quality tool that a gardener could use and cherish for years. Sexy it up a notch by finding quality tools that are both beautiful and unique.

Examples? One friend thrilled his wife with a beautiful copper shovel a few years back. Antique garden tools make great gifts because of their grace and the way they connect past and present. I imagine channeling the wisdom of gardeners past each time I use my very old wood and iron shovel. Or you could search out classic garden tools like the Haws watering can that combine beauty, good design and will last.

I took advantage of a room of ornamental horticulture students to conduct my poll. One classmate seemed to recite her Christmas list as she said simply, “Shears, clippers, nippers.” Another said, “ Felco #2”

Another student stressed giving super high quality tools to hobby gardeners because they are every bit as involved with their gardens as professionals, but have trouble justifying the initial expense.

Tools dominated the conversation, but a gentleness surfaced as gardeners mentioned books they’d been given. One friend whispered his book suggestion, “In the Company of Stone.” A book by Dan Snow. He suggested Snow elevates stone work to art.

Another friend said, “ My son gave me a copy of Better Homes and Gardens Encyclopedia and I still use that more than any other reference book.”

You can find great tools, antique tools and books locally.

One of my favorite places for year round inspiration and for Christmas shopping is the Gardener of the Owl Valley which carries gifts that would please all garden lovers. Choose from cutting edge garden books and nature inspired artwork or the unanimously popular garden gloves by Atlas. And the Gardener of the Owl Valley stocks her own hand made jewelry and ornaments.  She recently added handbags and scarves.

My garden shovel came from Circa Antiques in York. I don’t know how old it is. But it is beautiful and extremely functional. The short wood handle and narrow, sharp blade makes me happy each time I use it. Circa carries a variety of tools and other antiques for display in the garden.

Garden centers are good places to shop for quality tools. My regular garden center is Highland Gardens in Camp Hill and I know their staff can tell you what tools are most valued by gardeners. Or you can dig around online. I’m intrigued by a line of garden tools I saw on Victory Seed Company. They’re hand made iron and wood tools oddly named Iron and Wood Garden Tools.

AHa! Modern Living a great site for stylish garden gifts; http://www.ahamodernliving.com/store/pc/Accessories-c10.htm

One last tidbit. If you’re gardener love tells you that they want something that sounds crazy to you; don’t question, get it for them. If say they want worm poop… do it. You might add a decent pair of earrings, but get the poop. If they say they want a gift certificate from Johnny’s seeds; don’t question. A gift certificate from Johnny’s can bring pleasure beyond measure.  If they want an antique shovel… find one and they will treasure it. Merry Christmas!

Couple more great garden gifts (IMHO);

-A chicken coop

-Basalt Rocks (locally at Nature’s Way)

-‘Designing with Plants’ by Piet Oudolf