37 Gifts for Gardeners
Yes, there are a lot of gift guides making the rounds this time of year. We’re all looking for the perfect thing that will delight and express our love in just the right way. Hitting the spot with a gift is a wonderful feeling. (Related: if, like me, you feel ambivalent about the proliferation of gift guides as the years go on, might I recommend a read of the fascinating article, A Brief Theory of the Modern Gift Guide by Anne Helen Petersen on her Substack, Culture Study?)
Okay onto the good stuff. Let’s say you have a gardener in your life for whom you are still casting about for the perfect gift(s). It’s now December 11 and we’re exiting the “I still have plenty of time” phase and entering the “not panicking yet but exactly how long does it take to ship this item?” phase. Let me lend you my excellent taste (just ask me) and give you a helping, garden-gloved, hand.
Right this way. (By the way none of these are affiliate links. Just stuff I like.)
Tools that Thrill
A strong, sharp soil knife is an absolute must for every gardener; I use mine for so many tasks. This one from AM Leonard is the best, in my opinion. You can also get your loved one a little holster for it.
A CobraHead weeder (a Wisconsin company!) is also a wonderful tool they might not already have. I use it for weeding but it comes in handy for so many other garden tasks once you have it in your hand. They make a long-handled version also for those who want to spend less time kneeling.
Wisconsin-based company Dramm makes the best watering wand and it comes in a rainbow of delightful colors. I have a purple one (shocking, I know). This one has 9 watering patterns to choose from which come in handy for a variety of needs.
An electric edger-trencher is a great tool for anyone who expands their garden beds a lot. I use mine mainly to create a nice clean, deep, edge for new garden beds at my house and for clients. It can also be used to keep the edges of existing beds clean. I recommend this one specifically because it has enough power to make a deeper trench as opposed to a cordless electric edger.
Shears and snips are always appreciated. Even if your giftee already has them, it’s good to have a few pairs for when one is inevitably misplaced during peak gardening season or ahem accidentally gets lost in the compost pile. Felco 2 pruners are a classic favorite and I also like these from Dramm (also a Wisconsin company!). You can usually find them at your local garden center.
Bypass loppers like these by Fiskars. I have a similar pair that I’ve been using heavily for the last couple of years and they’re great for pruning shrubs.
A smart watering timer so that the gardener in your life can go on a dang vacation in the summer! The b-hyve smart hose watering timer connects to your home wifi so that the settings can be adjusted from afar to respond to weather changes when you’re not at home.
An outlet timer for your gardening friend who starts seeds indoors. They can set a schedule and plug their lights and fans into it so that their seedlings get that optimal 16 hours of light a day without worry. I have this one and it works great.
Apparel that Awes
This hat will let everyone know they like gardening, even when they’re not actively engaged in the activity.
Flora-inspired jewelry from a local small business like these flower burst earrings, fleurette mini drop hoop earrings, or petals stud earrings from Good Day Shop here in Madison can remind them that spring is always coming.
A puffer coat in a gorgeous orange tree or dahlia print (by local artist Erin Gleeson of The Forest Feast)
A more serious but light sun hat (with optional ponytail hole!).
Farmers Defense protection sleeves to prevent sunburn and scratches in hot weather.
I wear Duluth Trading overalls all season. The Heirloom Gardening Bib Overalls come in a great range of colors and patterns. I also like the sleeveless coveralls and don’t forget the neoprene knee pad inserts for these overalls!
My favorite garden gloves are these from Digz. They’re slightly tacky which is great for weeding and they keep out dirt and moisture like none others I have tried. I also like these lighter-weight ones for less heavy-duty tasks. And if your gardening loved one tends roses or other thorny plants, they might appreciate these.
Beauty that Bedazzles
A bouquet subscription from a local flower farm (sometimes called a CSA share) is a gift that keeps giving all growing season. Here in Madison, I recommend Rosewood Circle Flowers, who has several subscription options.
Vases from local artists to hold your loved one’s home-grown bouquets or a unique bud vase from the People’s Pottery Project.
An annual membership to a local botanical garden (like Olbrich Gardens here in Madison). Find reciprocal membership gardens here.
Tickets to your local garden expo—many take place in late winter or early spring. The Wisconsin Garden Expo is February 7-9, 2025 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
Gardening books are always a good idea. Go browse your local indie bookstores (or support them by shopping online at Bookshop.org) for great books that will satisfy your loved one’s niche gardening interests. My favorite local bookstores for new books are Mystery to Me, Kismet, A Room of One’s Own, and The Book Deal for used books. I recommend the following titles:
Covering Ground: Unexpected Ideas for Landscaping with Colorful, Low-Maintenance Ground Covers by Barbara W. Ellis
Groundcover Revolution: How to Use Sustainable, Low-Maintenance, Low-Water Groundcovers to Replace Your Turf by Kathy Jentz
Landscaping with Native Plants of Wisconsin by Lynn M. Steiner
Why We Garden: The Art, Science, Philosophy, and Joy of Gardening by Claire Masset
Mini Meadows: Grow a Little Patch of Colorful Flowers Anywhere Around Your Yard by Mike Lizotte
Month-by-Month Gardening: Minnesota and Wisconsin by Melinda Myers
The Ultimate Flower Gardener’s Guide by Jenny Rose Carey
Vegetables Love Flowers: Companion Planting for Beauty and Bounty by Lisa Mason Ziegler
The Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants by Neil Diboll and Hilary Cox
Garden Style: A Book of Ideas by Heidi Howcroft and Marianne Majerus
Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants by Douglas W. Tallamy
Finally…
Give the gift of garden consulting! Do you have a loved one who could use a little help in the garden? Do you know someone moving into a new house who doesn’t know where to start with their new yard? Give them an hour (or more!) of my time as a gift this year! Contact me for a gift certificate and see my services page for my offerings.
