2017 Unique Gardening Gifts

By Sharon Vaughn Smith, Fairfax Master Gardener
Do you know someone who plants to please the eye with color or maybe someone who loves the challenge of growing a vegetable garden? Are you stumped as to what to give that gardener on your holiday list? Here is a list of 10 gifts that are sure to delight all the gardeners in your life. If you are a gardener, you may just want to treat yourself to any or all of these wonderful gift ideas.

Gathering Basket
Let us start with a gathering basket that is lightweight and durable. This beautiful Paulownia wood-trimmed, galvanized metal wire basket allows for dirt and debris to fall through while keeping fruits, vegetables and flowers safely inside. The lengthy basket is great for longer vegetables and flowers, and the thick, arched, sturdy wooden handle gives peace of mind that the collected bounty will go from the garden to its next stop safely. $45
williams-sonoma.com

Herb Drying Rack
So many gardeners enjoy growing herbs, and this herb drying rack could be just the accessory your gardener needs in their kitchen or mudroom. The rack comes with 5 hooks as well as twine for tying up the herbs and flowers. Think of all the flavored oils, vinegars, sachets and other homemade gifts your gardener could make. burpee.com

Garden Bonbons While we are on herbs, you could surprise your gardener with Garden Bonbons. They come in a ribbon-tied box that is filled with hand-rolled “truffles” made out of organic compost, clay and seeds, of course. This is a gardening gift for planting not eating, until later, of course. You can order Italian Herbs Garden Bonbons, Grilling Herbs Garden Bonbons, Edible Flowers Garden Bonbons, and many others. These treats come beautifully packaged and are sure to delight every gardener on your list. $16 etsy.com

Spoon Garden Markers A garden marker is just the ticket to label what was planted. These upcycled spoon garden markers are a lovely addition to a pot or plot. The spoons are hammered flat to make reading them easier, and the signs of tarnish and wear are in keeping with that vintage look many gardeners love. $8.55 etsy.com

Copper Sculptures Every gardener enjoys decorating their gardens with something eye-catching, and these copper sculptures by Asheville, North Carolina artist, Catherine Murphy, are the perfect addition. Each stick figure man or woman is crafted with endearing details, and the clear-coat finish allows it to be used outdoors year-round. Your gardener can hang them from a tree branch, porch, doorway or from a garden stake. $58/each uncommongoods.com

Compact Tabletop SunLight® Garden The gardener in your life might have discussed with you that they wish they could start their plants inside from seeds during the cold months. The attractive, black- finish Tabletop Grow Light is sturdy with two high-efficiency T5 fluorescent bulbs that produce more bright, full-spectrum light than the old-style fluorescents while using 20 percent less electricity. Its compact footprint can be used year-round on a counter-top or side table. Young gardeners, too, will enjoy planting an indoor garden. $159 gardeners.com

14-inch Round River Rock Stepping Stones These stepping stones are a great addition to any garden, creating a whimsical path. Your gardener will have a hard time waiting to place these in areas around their flowerbeds, if there is snow on the ground. They are durable, as well as beautiful. $34.95 for a set of three plow&hearth.com >

Wheelbarrow Organizer This organizer for your wheelbarrow is by Little Burros. It fits over your gardener’s wheelbarrow and is a great way for your gardener to stay organized while working outside. It can hold long- and short-handled tools and beverages. Plus, there is a closed protected area to store personal electronics. $49.99 littleburros.com

Garden Tool Belt You could pair this next gift with the wheelbarrow organizer or give it separately. This leather garden belt from Wheeler Munroe is perfect for the gardener who needs to carry a few important tools. The garden belt can be made to be worn on the left or the right side and is the perfect gift for keeping a gardener’s smaller tools close at hand. Misplacing a beloved tool is disappointing and discouraging, so this beautifully crafted garden tool belt can help keep tools in one place. $175 etsy.com

Gardening Long Sleeve Shirt Here is a great shirt to make the gardeners in your life smile. The long sleeves will offer protection from the elements when working outside. $35 lookhuman.com With any of these gift selections, your gardener will certainly feel special and thank you over and over again. These delightful gifts will help your gardener create something beautiful one seed at a time, one plant at a time and one garden at a time.