Unique Holiday Gifts for Gardeners
by Ray Novitske, Fairfax Master Gardener
It can be difficult selecting a holiday gift for us gardeners. We have almost everything we need or want, and it may be difficult to guess what a gardener may appreciate. This is our annual list of unique gift ideas for the gardeners on your shopping list
Melon Squash Cradles
By elevating cantaloupes, honeydews, small watermelons and squash up off the ground, these ingenious 8-inch diameter (20 cm) cradles allow air to circulate, promoting even ripening, minimizing rot and slug damage. If you’ve been disappointed by misshapen melons and squash resting on the ground as they grow, these cradles are for you! Each long-lasting and reusable cradle supports a fruit weighing up to 8 pounds (3.5 kg) — install as soon as the fruit is large enough to rest on the ground.
Gardener’s Supply Company
$13.99 for set of 8
Solar Illuminated Planter
By day, this 11-inch by 11-inch (30 by 30 cm) container is an elegant, frosted white planter. At dusk, the show begins as it illuminates from within from its solar-powered battery. An easy-to-reach switch on the solar panel lets you choose color-changing or select one color. 18 LEDs glow for 6 to 8 hours on a full charge. The solar panel is mounted on a 10 foot (3 m) cable so you can place it in full sun and display the planter in shade.
Gardener’s Supply Company
$99.99
Shiitake Mushroom Log Kit
Grow your own shiitake mushrooms with their earthy, smoky flavor. The providers salvage recently felled trees and plant organic spores inside. Soak the wood, keep it in a damp, cool, dark place, and in about six weeks you’ll be in shiitake heaven. Re-soak and harvest every six weeks or so for up to three years.
Uncommon Goods
$30.00
Cedar Bark Tape
This 32-foot (10 m) long roll of Cryptomeria cedar bark shingles, is threaded together and used for wrapping and protecting tree trunks. It can disguise the protective tape around tree trunks, ugly posts and pillars that may need camouflaging, providing a natural woody bark appearance.
Niwaki
$34.50
Tall Tomato Cages
Heavy-duty, powder-coated steel Tomato Towers are much taller and stronger than old-fashioned cone-shaped supports, ready to support your biggest tomato plants. The towers support plants on all sides (no tying needed) and keep plants up off the ground for better air circulation, cleaner fruit and fewer diseases. Large openings make harvesting easy, and the towers fold flat for off-season storage. 53″ high (130 cm) installed.
Gardener’s Supply Company
$59.99 for set of 2
Small Scissors with Walnut Handles
Crafted from stainless steel and walnut, these scissors with walnut Handles feature a comfortable, ambidextrous grip and make a durable addition to any gardening toolkit. The large ergonomic handles make them easy to control for those delicate cuttings of flowers and vegetables. Blades are rust-resistant stainless steel.
Rejuvenation
$25.00
Hummingbird Watering Can
Made with recycled metal, this can shimmers with vibrant shades of green and red. The hummingbird’s long beak acts as the spout; simply fill and pour. The small size is perfect for use in watering your indoor plants. You can leave out when not in use to display as a part of your decor.
Uncommon Goods
$48.00