At the beginning of December our thoughts are turning towards Christmas, and the inevitable question
Gift ideas for Gardeners
Whilst the true meaning of the Season is not about buying presents for one another, it has become the tradition in our modern society, so I thought it would be good to share a selection of suggestions.
Monty Don in his book The Ivington Diaries bemoans the variety of presents he receives from no-doubt well-meaning friends and relatives. True he probably receives a lot from his audience too, so the quantity of useless items he gets would be compounded! He particularly objected to being given Aerating Sandals, – those plastic Soles with numerous spikes that you strap to the underside of your boots – the idea being that you stomp up and down your lawns to aerate them!
He is equally disdainful of Wooden plant labels that rot and Slate Plant labels that snap. And there I have to agree with him but I would be grateful for umpteen plant labels and balls of twine, although not the most exciting of gifts, which I view as consumables. But it would mean I didn’t have to buy them in the coming year, leaving my precious garden budget for more exciting purchases! So here are some ideas:-
(The gift suggestions that follow are all affiliate links and therefore if you click on them to purchase I may receive a small commission fee)
Gardening Gloves
I am sure I can’t be the only one to get through these at an alarming rate, so quality is important. The most useful are the general purpose ones made of a knitted fabric with a waterproof coating on the palms and fingers. Close-fitting gloves give greater dexterity when managing smaller tasks that you would otherwise end up taking the gloves off altogether!
Try these gloves by Showa 
Garden Tools
HAND RAKE Although the season of raking leaves may be over for this year I think this hand tool would have many uses through the year 
I use a FOLDING PRUNING SAW made by Fiskars for roots as well as branches. When I dig up perennials in the Spring and it is one big tough clump, I use my saw. It is probably not recommended by the manufacturers but it works for me! Just remember to clean and oil the blade before putting it away. The blade retracts into the handle which I find safer than the fold-away type.
Green thumbs or sore hands?
This delightful set has everything the gardener needs for a welcome cuppa on a cold Winter’s day. As well as a nailbrush for scrubbing away the soil, and hand-cream which has the distinctive fragrance of fresh Tomato (a reminder of warm Summer days) to soothe sore hands. All in a pretty Mug. Now…where are the tea-bags?!
Plant Labels
If you insist on buying/giving/wanting Plant Labels for Christmas, take the advice offered by Helen Yemm in her book Gardening in Pyjamas and make sure that they are Black Plastic labels (less obtrusive than white) and include a Silver permanent ink marker!
Gardening Books for Christmas
Many of us do not have the luxury of starting a garden from scratch on a large plot of land, so spend some time revelling in someone else’s, without having to worry about financing it. How about a copy of Thenford: The Creation of an Engish Garden?
For the gardeners who love to cook the produce they harvest from their plot, the ultimate gift has to be the book No Dig Organic Home and Garden by Charles Dowding and Stephanie Hafferty
So there we have it! My top ten Gift Ideas for Gardeners! There is always a fine balance in timing in offering up a selection like this. It is either too early to be thinking about it or too late to be helpful but I hope this has been useful to you. Whether it is knowing what to buy for a fellow gardener or some ideas to put in your letter to Santa, hohoho!
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