Christmas gifts for your gardener

By Bev Johnson | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, November 24, 2007

It's that time of year again. Time to go Christmas shopping. Here are a few tips for buying gifts for a gardener. Take a look at the tools your gardener is using.

If he or she is short, are the handles too long for comfort? Are they of poor quality? Maybe they are just getting into gardening and have no idea what they need for tools.

Every gardener needs a good dirt rake. The better ones have fiberglass handles. Another must is a poaching or trenching spade.

This is great for transplanting or dividing large clumps of plants. Good hand tools should be stainless steel with not too large a handle. Too thick a handle makes for tired hands.

Gloves are another must. Atlas is the brand to look for. The back of the glove is knitted nylon, the palm is rubber.

If your gardener grows roses, there are gloves especially for rose growers with a long leather cuff that goes to the elbow to prevent thorns from ripping your skin or clothes.

A covered compost container for the kitchen will ensure the garbage can doesn't get good compostable material.

Bachman's in the Twin Cities has a super new watering can. The Enki waterer is plugged in for a few minutes; this allows millions of micro bubbles to form. This super oxygenated water is supposed to encourage growth and encourage blooms. A bargain at only $80.

A good stiff scrub brush with a longer handle make keeping the birdbath and flower pots clean easier.

A heated birdbath will keep birds coming to the gardener's feeder all winter.

If your gardener has city water, a rain barrel with a spigot would really be welcome. Add a Never Kink hose and you are golden.

To add a little class, for about $150 to $450, depending on the metal, buy rain chains.

They replace down spouts and make interesting sounds as the water pours over them.

A hand lotion and soap combo made especially for grubby gardener hands is always nice.

If your gardener grows houseplants, look for a good humidity tray to put them on.

Let's face it, air in our houses in winter is desert dry, OK for cactus, but terrible for most other plants. Orchid growers really need a tray like this.

A plant stand with a grow light is great to keep houseplants healthy and a great place to start seedlings in the spring.

If you are absolutely at your wits end, a gift certificate at a local nursery or a seed catalog that specializes in seeds and plants for northern climates is always welcome.

The Extension Office has a box full of garden catalogs. If you need an address or are looking for a specialty catalog, stop in. We are at 505 S Court St, just across the bridge from the Courthouse.

Bev Johnson is a master gardener for West Otter Tail County.