Gifts for Gardeners

Do you have a gardener in your life that you are still needing to buy for?  Never fear, Pea Patch has compiled a list of gift that even the hardest to buy for will appreciate.  In no particular order - here are the top gifts for gardeners:
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1.  Tools - Is your gardener using a tool that has seen better days, or using a tool not meant for the purpose they are using it for?  This may be a sign that some new tools are needed!  Here are a few of my own personal favourites to get you started:

• Pruners - Although I lose (misplace) hand pruners almost daily in the greenhouse, I've had the same trusty pair of Felcos and Corona saw for the last 20 years.  Quality truly makes a difference here!  I think I bought both at the Olds College Bookstore when I was a student there.  (Maybe someone would like to get me a new alumni hoodie or sweatshirt? hint hint)  Local garden centres and box stores usually carry fairly decent quality pruning gear - Felco can be found at Lee Valley.
• Hoes/Cultivators - I am a big fan of working less to get a job done, and especially when it comes to weeding; a good quality co-linear hoe or loop hoe can certainly cut down on the hard work!  If you aren't sure that you want to wrap up a hoe for under the tree, you could also give a gift certificate.  Try Johnny's Selected Seeds or Lee Valley Tools 
• Seed Starting - Seed starting is something most gardeners love to do, why not add a light table or bottom heat pad for flats to their gear?  There are some great lighting options available like this T5 Fixture from Veseys Seeds.

2.  Seeds and Seed Collections - a gift that will keep on giving for the year!  There are many themes and many companies that are so great for collections.  Don't know if your gardener wants to start their own plants??  A gift certificate to their favourite greenhouse is always an option!  A few ideas could be:

• Culinary Herb Garden - basil, thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage, cilantro, chives; the list is close to endless - Maybe add a qualifier like Italian herbs, BBQ herbs, Tea Herbs, Bartender Herbs
• Weird and Wonderful Veggies to Try - heirloom tomatoes, kohlrabi, eggplant, asparagus peas - another endless list with so many combinations! 
• Sunflower or Sweet Pea Collection - Bring a little nostalgia with these garden friendly favourites! 

3.  Birds and Bees - Is your gardener planting a lot of bird and bee friendly plants?  Here are some cool additions to a wildlife friendly garden!

• Bird Cam - the hubby got me one of these last year and I got him to set it up at our place in Montana!  I haven't found the perfect spot to get all of my birdies without moving it all over - maybe I need a second?  LOL  Hummingbirds don't always come in very clearly - they move too fast, but I love mine!  BIRD CAM (Also available at Lee Valley Tools)
• Feeders - I love feeding the birds, both here and in MT, I feed all kinds of birds - but  I would love to have a Hummerbar by our deck in the woods.
• Bees - We have all heard about the bee problems in North America - why not help them out with providing a house for them in the yard?  There are different models available at Veseys Seeds.

4.  Community Garden Plot - Not all of us have a yard available for us to garden on.  For those who don't there are a lot of Community Gardens that offer plots for lease for very reasonable yearly rates.  Check with your local market garden, Communities in Bloom organization or church/community group for more information.

5. Statuary/Ornaments - these can be found in most box stores and garden centres.  Maybe they need their own BERTGNOMIO, or Buddha, or bird bath or frog spitting water for their yard?  

6. Gift Certificates - Still unsure what to get for the gardener in your life?  A gift certificate is a great option!

• Lee Valley Tools offers E-Gift Cards for last minute gifts!  LEE VALLEY
• Indigo/Chapters - great for gardening books!
• Amazon - you never know what you may find here :)
• Veseys - plants, seeds, equipment - Canadian Company
• Botanus - Right now all gift certificates are on sale!  Great value for bulbs and plants!!
• Pea Patch Gardens and Greenhouse - any denomination available!

Hopefully that gives you some great last-minute gardening gift ideas!  From all of us here at Pea Patch, we would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Good Gardening in 2016!