Home » Plants & Animals » California Gardening » Garden Gifts for Christmas

Garden Gifts for Christmas

© Keith Muraoka

OK, all you last-minute holiday shoppers, I'm going to do you a big favor here. Everyone can use some help, especially when it comes to buying a gift for someone with a special interest like gardening. Here are a few horticultural-slanted gift ideas that you can order and, particularly if you pay a little extra for fast shipping, can still receive it in time. Other items I've found in area nurseries or garden departments.

A fun gift, which I actually gave my mom one year, are poo pets. These are little animal statues for the garden that are actually shaped from cow manure. Now that would have to be one of the worst jobs around! Can you imagine hand-shaping little snails and cows out of smelly manure? Anyway, these poo pets release their fertilizer as you water as they eventually diminish in size. (Gardener's Supply, (800) 863-1700; $14 to $25).

Watering wands aren't new and many gardeners have probably used one for years, especially to water hanging baskets or other container items on patios. However, what is new are watering wands that come in an array of striking colors. Would you believe a purple or lime green wand? I've seen them at garden centers locally.

For the meditative gardener on your list, how about a gazing ball? Yes, these shiny balls are back in vogue. I've seen them at area stores for aorund $25 to $30. They usually are available in silver, blue or green, with optional stands. Place them anywhere in the garden, but they look particularly good in a sunny spot where surrounding flowers can be reflected in the gazing ball. Again, I've had one of these before, too, but beware that they break easily if dropped. Since I said "had," you probably already know that I dropped mine and it broke! While I've seen gazingballs in stores, you can also order it through the mail. (Gardener's Eden, (800) 822-9600; $40 for ball, $95 for ball and pedestal).

Garden clogs are also fun and useful items for the garden. After all, who wants to get their tennis shoes all dirty and muddy, tromping around a wet garden? They're easy to slip on and off. You can find them at area nurseries, as well as mail-order. (Gardener's Eden, (800) 822-9600; $44 to $46).

If you sometimes have problems arranging flowers, the flex vase is for you. This "vase" is made up of 10 test tubes joined by acrylic connectors. You can twist it into a circle or undulating shape, then add your cut flowers. (The Museum of Modern Art, (212) 767-1050; $35).

The copyright of the article Garden Gifts for Christmas in California Gardening is owned by Keith Muraoka. Permission to republish Garden Gifts for Christmas in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.