Christmas Gifts II (GardenDesignOnline)

Become a Fan

From here and there around the web, gifts that won't break the bank.

Top of my list every Christmas for any garden lover: a gift membership to the local garden of your choice ... or to the Garden Conservancy, an organization that works to preserve worthy gardens around the country.

Kinsman Company:

This is actually a collapsible vase ... they're made of plastic, but they look like glass, and they store flat.

A great gift for someone who lives in a small house or apartment and hasn't got a lot of room.

They come in three sizes, and are less than $5. How about that?

Leaf grabber, anyone? Looks like it would work a lot better than gloved hands or a rake & dustpan. The bright yellow color almost guarantees that you won't lose it among all those fallen leaves.

It comes in two sizes, too.

Gardeners Edge:

For the person you know who's just getting started in the garden, this basic gardner's gift set ... a collapsible bucket, gloves, a kneeling pad and a garden knife. This site has terrific tools, so if you're looking for felco pruners, clippers, or anything else like that, check out their catalogue.

They call this implement an asparagus knife, but it can also be used as a weeder (as I've been using one for many years). Works great to get out the toughest weeds. And it's the best one I've found so far.

I also like these copper plant markers, which are certainly classier than markers made of plastic or wood, and they're a cut above the plain metal markers.

Brent and Becky's Bulbs:

And finally, if you're not going to order some bulbs from Brent & Becky (which would make a fabulous gift), try this all-weather notebook that you can take out into the garden and use in the rain! Think I'm going to order half a dozen or so. For me.