Either way, do I have a little help for you. Here are a few horticultural-slanted gift ideas that you should be able to find at area nurseries or garden departments.
Fiskars pruning tools. If you're like me, you may not have realized that Fiskars - the makers of those great orange-handled scissors - even make garden tools. I still remember when I was a kid how my mother strictly prohibited me from using her Fiskars. My brother and I were never to touch those orange-handled Fiskars.
Well, now, Fiskars has an entire line of gardening tools, starting with great pruning tools. The Fiskars Pruning Stik is quite possibly the most versatile pruning tool ever made. The Stik is made of lightweight aluminum (only weighs 31 ounces) and has an overall length of more than five feet. The cutting head has a bypass pruning blade made of a specially-hardened tool steel. It can cut branches more than an inch in diameter. Having used this myself, I can attest how easily it is to prune many trees that are usually just out of reach. Stand on a short ladder, and you should be able to reach almost all trees that need pruning in your garden. Cost is $59.99.
I've also used the Fiskars PowerGear Lopper. This lopper is only 15 inches long, but has the cutting power of loppers that are much bigger and heavier. The design encompasses two gears to aid the cutting force instead of one or two pivot points. It is great to prune hard-to-cut woody stems and branches up to an inch thick. Cost is $29.00.
Both these Fiskars items can be found at garden centers, home improvement centers and major retailers. Call 800-500-4849 for more information or check out their web site at: http://www.fiskars.com.
How about a gardening tool especially for kids? Hey, think of this as a gift for you as well! I got my 9-year-old daughter to actually water my entire back yard using a watercolor rain wand especially for kids. These are made by Dramm, who makes an entire line of water tools that are unparalleled in the horticultural industry. These kid-sized water wands are not only the perfect size at only 16 inches long, but is padded and comes in bright colors that are sure to attract. Maybe best of all, protect your plants with the softest full-flow watering nozzle. There's an easy shut-off valve also where your child can regulate how much water does or does not come out, too.
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