In the deep drear of December, it’s hard to think about growing a garden come spring and summer. But trust me, if you have a gardener on your gift list, they are already plotting and planning, waiting impatiently for the first seed catalogs to arrive in January.
Luckily, there is never a shortage of gift ideas for those with green thumbs. Sitting at lunch with a group of ladies of a certain age, all of whom garden, the ideas flew thick and fast. But the number one suggestion was a hori hori knife. The original multitool, this Japanese knife has been around for hundreds of years, used as knife, trowel and small saw. They fit well in a stocking and cost around $40. According to Aimée Marie Damman, director of communications at Ballard gardening mecca Swansons Nursery, it’s great for weeding, dividing plants, and measuring bulb depth. “It is the tool we at Swansons reach for the most.”
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Gardeners go through some items at regular intervals. One of the lunching ladies, Joyce, said she periodically needs a new gardening apron or gardening overalls. Look for something with a multitude of pockets and durable material. You can get them for anything from $40 to over $100.
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Kneeling pads and benches are another great item. They’re usually made of the same material as yoga mats, but thicker. You can get simple pads for around $20, or a bench that, when flipped over, doubles as a pad with upright handles to help you stand. Those run in the $50 range.
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Every gardener can eventually use another pair of garden gloves. The folks at Urban Feed and Garden on Beacon Hill suggest thick leather gloves for dealing with blackberries or reinforced cotton for everyday weeding. There’s a wide range of price points available.
Terri Williamson from Sky Nursery in Lynnwood suggests Green Gloves by Super Moss for the indoor gardener. They’re optimal for dusting houseplants and cost less than $15. If your gardener doesn’t wear gloves, they probably need some soothing hand cream, and Williamson especially likes O’Keefe’s Working Hands cream. Tubes start at under $10.
Avid gardeners covet Felco brand garden sheers. They tend to be on the spendier side – running about $50 and up, but if you know an avid gardener who doesn’t already have a pair, they want them. For indoor plants, the Swansons staff like some of the lighter-weight sheers, and they have a selection that sell for under $25, says Damman. They also come in a variety of colors and are a nice stocking stuffer. So is garden twine and Swansons sells a British brand, Nutscene, that comes in a variety of colors for under $15. “It’s a lot more fun than regular twine.”
Courtesy: Nutscene Garden Twine{ }
If you grow squashes or tomatoes, you know that working among the plants can irritate your skin. Lindsey Brown, manager of the Gray Barn Nursery in Redmond says Farmers Defense Farming Sleeves offer a solution. “The sleeves fit over your hands and extend above the bicep for protection.” They run around $30.
For carrying your bounty of produce (or hauling off the weeds), Brown suggests Tuff Totes. These colorful tubs come in three sizes, are made locally in Kent and can carry up to 150 pounds. They cost from $20 to $30, depending on size.
If the gardener on your list likes to start plants from seed, seed storage systems are a great gift idea. Online retailer Seattle Seed Company has envelopes for storing seeds for $6.
Seed Saving Envelope (Courtesy Seattle Seed Company){ }
Looking for a big-ticket item? Damman suggests garden art or a statue. Swansons has a selection of hand-cast options made in Leavenworth. “These can provide a touch of whimsy,” she says. Prices go up to $250.
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Williamson likes the Mukilteo Cedar potting bench – locally made – that run from $279 to $399.
Mukilteo Cedar Potting Bench
Gray Barn’s Brown suggests Corinthian Bells Windchimes, which come in lengths of 27 to 56 inches. “These are the just the best chimes. There are no tinny sounds.” These start at about $100. Fountains are another good statement gift.
If your gardener is new to the hobby, or if they want to improve their skills, consider purchasing them a Tilth Alliance membership, which offers a variety of benefits, including reduced class fees, a discount on books and Tilth merchandise, and 10% off at several area nurseries.
Whatever level of gardener on your list, your local PNW nursery has you covered. Go explore and shop local this season – and don’t forget to prioritize the pollinators! Find Swansons’ Nursery Gift Cards here.
Lisa Jaffe is a freelance writer for Seattle Refined. Follow more of her work here.
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