All I want for Christmas this year is rain, more rain, healthy soil, and a biodiverse garden! But, just in case you can’t put that in my stocking, here is a list of what I need and want.
Some of the most helpful items would be:
A Japanese Hori-Hori digging tool/knife to weed and to divide my perennials;
Hand pruners—both small and cross-cut types;
Loppers to thin the larger bushes and to rid my perennials of dry and/or diseased branches;
A rake, because its good exercise and gas blowers mainly produces dust and noise;
Several bags of mulch to keep my plants moist;
A wheelbarrow or cart;
A compost bin;
And, a small container for the kitchen in which to contain my vegetable and fruit scraps destined for composting.
I have noticed many robins and blue scrub jays using the birdbath you gave me last year. May I please have another one for my backyard? I also need a broad-brimmed hat, gardening gloves, and a carrier for my tools. A gardener’s apron with sizable pockets would be very useful, too.
Oh, Santa, there are so many books that I need. I want to learn more about how to reduce my carbon footprint, nourish healthy soil, and create a biodiverse garden. In view of that, I will need a square-foot gardening book to get started with a vegetable garden. Because I want my garden to be a sustainable and natural habitat for pollinators, a book that lists native and nonnative plants that are bee-friendly and drought tolerant. My goal is to have at least eight species blooming in the garden at any one time. I also need to learn more about conserving water during these dry times. One way to achieve that goal would be to convert to a drip system, so please include a book about irrigation.
A few other ideas:
Garden labels with pens and stakes
Self-watering spikes for my pots when I’m away
Tool organizer bag
Soil moisture meter
Garden Kneeler with seat for my knees
Multi-digger spading fork
Garden sleeves for UV sun protection
A pretty, decorative rain gauge
Wind chimes
Garden hand rake
Soil pH meter
Garden weeder hand tool
Repotting mat for mess control
Gardener’s hand cream and pumice soap
Japanese ninja claw rake and cultivator
Gift certificate to my favorite nursery so I can indulge in new plants!
Our local farmers’ market is bursting with healthy produce, including vegetables, fruits, baked goods, honey and olives. I need a nice large basket, or perhaps even some canvas bags, in which to carry my purchases home from the market.
If I get confused or need more information about home gardening during these dry times, I know that the UC Master Gardeners of Tulare-Kings have a table at Farmers’ Markets throughout Tulare and Kings Counties with information and advice for me, along with many other events (listed in our e-newsletter! Sign up online!).
Thank you so much, dear Santa. I hope that you and Mrs. Claus have a very happy holiday!
This column is not a news article but the gardening advice and opinion of the writer, and does not reflect the views of Mid Valley Times newspaper.
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