Holiday Gifts for Gardeners

by Ray Novitske, Fairfax Master Gardener
Many people have a difficult time selecting a holiday gift for their gardener. We have almost everything we need or want, and the giver may not have a clue what a gardener may appreciate. We have assembled our annual list of unique gift ideas for the gardeners who may seem to have almost everything already.

Ceramic Koi Fish
When your garden may contain a dry riverbed or stream with stones, or even a sea of ground cover, these fish swimming above the surface will catch the eye and add some colorful whimsey. They come in a glassy cobalt blue or vibrant red/orange and are not prone to fading or cracking. Just set them on stakes to keep them elevated above the vegetation.
$30.00 — $85.00 | uncommon goods

Praying Mantis Rain Gauge
If you are interested in more of a useful bling, try a sculptural rain gauge. Forged in copper, the 14-inch high insect holds a movable clear plastic rain gauge between its legs. The mantis sits atop a 3-foot high stake that is inserted into the ground to keep it above your garden plants.
$89.00 | uncommon goods

Peppermint Pumice Gardener’s Herbal Soap
Pumice in soap is noted for helping to scrub the soil out of your dirty hands after a hard day in the garden. The hand-made soap also adds a peppermint fragrance to elevate it above the more utilitarian, banal cleansing soaps.
$8.00+ | AllThingsHerbal at Etsy

Eco Friendly Garden Markers
For gardeners who appreciate aesthetics in the gardens, these plant markers for flowers, vegetables and herbs are made of natural wood so they are not contaminating the soil or the environment. The markers come in 70 plant names, but they can be made into your own custom label names, too. The seller is also giving us a 15% discount using the coupon code: FAIRFAXGARDENING.
$1.56 each | WoodNSparks Co. at Etsy

Chicken Wire Cloche Plant Protector
Your lettuce, strawberry plants and seedlings will thank you. These bell-shaped plant covers are made to protect your plants from hungry rabbits, birds and squirrels but still allow the rain and sun in. They are 12 inches high, but are also available with an extension for those higher plants.
$20.50 | Amazon

Micro-Tip Non-Stick Pruning Snips
Made by Fiskars, these pruning shears with precise steel blades will give clean cuts from the entire length of the blade. The non-stick blade coating helps reduce jamming and resin build-up when cutting through sticky plants. The small 6-inch long tools are perfect for cutting vegetables and flowers.
$14.00 for pair | Amazon

Seed Storage Organizer Box
This plastic storage box contains 64 small containers and sticker labels to store your seeds you have collected until ready to plant. Lids on the small containers keep your seeds safe and dry while allowing you to label them as you need with names and dates. The clear plastic allows views to the storage box contents.
$29.99 | Amazon

Countertop Composter Pail
If you don’t have the time or desire to take your kitchen scraps out to the compost every time you need to, try using a small countertop composter. These metal pails offer a place to temporarily store and begin composting inside your kitchen. The stainless steel container stores 1.3 gallons of materials until you have a chance to add to your main outdoor compost bin or pile. Add a 12 pack of charcoal filters to keep odors to a minimum.
$32.99 pail | Amazon
$16.88 filters | Amazon