Many of us have at least one person who is hard to buy for on our holiday
gift list. I know, because I’ve been told that I fit into this category. Gardening
items could be your rescue.
Most of us don’t think about gardening during the winter, but with gardening
being America’s No. 1 hobby, it is likely that you have several gardeners on
your gift list. Not all homeowners consider themselves gardeners, but if they
have a lawn and a few shrubs, they are gardeners. Here is a short list of items
most gardeners will appreciate:
Bird feeders and birdseed. Several types are available. Tray, platform
or hopper feeders make seeds available for all types of birds. However, many
feeders spill seed and attract squirrels. Tubular feeders, which have openings
for niger seed or sunflower seeds, attract specific bird species. If you’re
buying a feeder as a gift, birdseed makes a good companion gift. Black oil sunflower
seeds will attract the largest variety of birds. Other large favorites are striped
sunflower, safflower, niger seed, suet, and peanuts. To avoid the mess of seed
hulls, consider purchasing sunflower hearts.
Birdbaths. Birds need water, even in winter. A birdbath should be
shallow (less than 3 inches deep), have a gradual slope, and preferably a non-slip
bottom. Don’t forget a birdbath heater to keep ice from forming.
Hand pruners. Look for pruners with replaceable parts. The scissors-type
pruners (bypass pruners) are recommended over anvil types. Anvil pruners (those
with a blade on one side and a flat surface on the other) tend to crush the
stem rather than provide a sharp cut. Include a holster for easy access.
Trowel. You need a heavy-duty trowel to plant spring annuals. Pick
one with finger grips and a brightly colored handle (this will allow you to
find it easily). The most durable trowels, as with many hand tools, are made
of a single continuous piece of metal. There are also specially designed hand
tools for people with limited mobility.
Garden bench or statuary. You might be able to find some good sales
on benches, statues, sundials, and fountains. Benches come in many sizes and
materials. If the bench is concrete or resin (subject to cracking in cold weather),
remind the recipient not to leave the item outside in the winter.
A gift from the heart that doesn’t cost a cent, is a coupon for three hours
of weeding, planting, mowing, or raking leaves. Other gifts possibilities: a
work apron, garden clogs, leaf shredders, a heavy-duty spade, a kneeling pad,
books, or software.
Can’t go wrong with
books
Gardeners can’t refuse a good gardening book. University
of Illinois Extension offers several great books that are written for Illinois
growing conditions.
Pocket Guide to Good Gardening is small enough to fit in your back
pocket and durable enough to weather many trips into the garden. A unique flip-top
design and tabbed, stair-stepped pages allow you to find information quickly,
without hunting through lots of pages. Topics include general gardening tips
and key garden-safety concerns. It’s a real bargain at $5.
Vegetable Gardening in the Midwest offers a complete, accurate and
easy-to-use guide to successful growing of more than 40 vegetables and 35 herbs
under Midwest Conditions and is available for $12.
Gardening Guide for Central Illinois is a calendar that offers gardening
tips month by month. This calendar can be used year after year and is available
for $5.
Insect ID Cards. So handy in the garden, these laminated pocket size cards
are kept secure on a steel ring and go just about anywhere. Full-color photos
help you tell the good guys from the bad! Sets are $8. Four different sets are
available. Purchase all four for $30.
Call the Sangamon-Menard Extension office at 217-782-4617 for more
information about these resources. Your local bookstore may also be able to
order these items.
This article appears in Dec 18-24, 2003.
