Gifts for Gardeners
Garden Clippings for December 12, 2020
Gift giving for older adults can be difficult. My Parents-In-Law are a case in point. We’ve given up on asking what they’d like because they always give a negative answer. And like all good grandparents, they appreciate the gift of togetherness more than any gift we can buy.
This year will be different because nobody will be visiting anybody else’s home. We’re planning to use Zoom to share stories, read Luke 2, and witness the kids opening gifts.
Rather than give a physical gift to my In-Laws, I plan to give the gift of service. My Mother-In-Law is perfectly capable of planting up her flowerpots, doing minor clean-ups, and watering plants and flowers. But lifting sunken bricks, applying mulch, and cutting limbs off trees is a chore she would be happy to let her son-in-law carry out. Weeding and edging the garden beds is also off limits for her.
Good garden tools are always a hit for older gardeners. My In-Laws are not likely to splurge on a high quality rake, shovel or edger, but they cannot stop a loved one from doing just that. Like kitchen tools, the difference between mediocre quality and top quality is immense.
A pair of good quality garden gloves is easy on the hands and equally easy on the wallet. The friendliest and most comfortable are the type that fit like a second skin. These nylon gloves are waterproof and will never wear out.
A good pruning tool should be on the top of every gardener’s wish list. When shopping for a pruning tool, I recommend taking a branch with you and doing a test drive. Look for one that has an easy open and close mechanism. The go-to brand that professionals use is the Swiss made Felco pruner, which don’t come cheap but can be passed on from grandparents to grandkids.
We may not want to admit it but one day we will all want knee pads and kneelers. They will keep your knees out of the wet and cold and make the task of getting off the ground much easier.
Most tool manufacturers now make a line of tools that are both lightweight and ergonomically friendly. Look for tools that are easy grip and do not take up too much room in the garage.
Garden soaps and lotions make an easy and inexpensive gift for any gardener, regardless of age. A garden journal is a wise gift for gardeners who like to keep track of blooming times and transplanting plans.
For the gardener who is often housebound through winter, consider a bird feeder. Be sure to choose a feeder that is easy to re-fill. A platform or barn style feeder is perfect for Blue Jays and Cardinals. For colourful finch, look for a tube style feeder. Hummingbird feeders are a delight for the spring and summer seasons.
Other garden-friendly gifts include thermometers, garden stake and marker kits, garden benches, thermometers and garden art.
