If you have a gardener on your gift list, take a look at some products that have been tested and received the seal of approval by a long time gardener.

1. GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR
GARDENERS
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2. by Jean Starr petaltalk-jean.com
*Where possible, I have included links to retail sources for products featured.
Unless otherwise noted, products were given to me as a trial.
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3. I love this book! Not only does it have great
photos, but authors Jere and Emilee Gettle
offer interesting history about our favorite
veggies along with tips on how to grow and
cook them. The Gettles are founders of Baker
Creek Heirloom Seeds.
A great example are the instructions on
cleaning a leek. Remember the first time you
used a leek for a recipe? It seemed the entire
vegetable was filled with dirt! Not only do the
Gettles tell why this is, they tell you how to
clean it, and which is the tastiest part!
I attended a presentation by Jere Gettle in
Chicago. He spoke about genetically-altered
food, specifically vegetables. Until I heard him
speak, the topic seemed way to complicated to
understand.
Jere Gettle lives and breathes vegetables—
from their historic origins to their growth and
uses around the world. The Heirloom Life
Gardener is a compilation of what Gettle has
gleaned so far in his travels and experience.
And that’s quite a lot!
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4. I don’t think there is a gardener around who
hasn’t given a thought about or even a try at
forcing bulbs. Especially those in cold climates.
Author Art Wolk’s talent for explaining complex
topics in an easily-understood manner is obvious
in this book.
Bulb Forcing for Beginners and the Seriously
Smitten is a joy to peruse, and I guarantee has a
90 percent likelihood it will force a gardener on
the fence into the world of bulb forcing.
And with his experience as a bulb exhibitor at the
Philadelphia Flower Show, Wolk gives readers a
level to strive for.
Great photos, informative and humorous
anecdotes and priceless instruction are all
included in this book. Chapter 22 itself is worth
the price of the book for its step by step guide to
a gorgeous mixed garden that makes it look like
anyone can do it!
If you can get your hands on a dozen or so spring
bulbs to present along with this book, your
favorite gardener will be saying “thank you” for
months to come.
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5. Garden Girl Gardening Gloves Ethel Gloves - Rendezvous
These gloves are both attractive and The Ethel Glove is substantial yet
comfortable; they actually feel pliable. If you like a fitted glove, these
great on my hands! are for you. If you like a roomier fit,
order a size larger than you’d normally
wear.
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6. Ray Padula Hose Nozzles
I’m tough on my hoses and their nozzles.
They’re dropped and dragged, and our well
water takes its toll on the inner workings of
anything it touches through the season. I
bought the Ray Padula nozzle from
Chesterton Feed & Garden early in the
season. It was inexpensive, and it held up to
my torture all summer.
I love that it’s easy to turn on and off, and
has lots of spray patterns, including a mist
pattern that’s perfect for seed starting.
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7. ScareCrow®Motion-activated Animal Deterrent
The ScareCrow Motion-activated Animal
Deterrent is great if you have plants you
want to protect and say, a groundhog,
deer, or squirrels that want to mess with
them.
This tool is expensive at just under $100,
but worth the price if you consider how
much time and effort you put into your
garden.
I put mine near the vegetable garden with
a shut-off valve that I would flip when I
wanted to garden in the area. The battery
lasted nearly the entire season, and I had a
bumper crop of tomatoes, potatoes and
peppers!
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8. Nutscene Twine
I purchased the Nutscene twine with terra cotta holder
several years ago from Bosmere, which no longer carries the
holder or the twine. Since then, I’ve purchased the twine in
a can as well as refills I can put into the holder where it’s
mounted handily outdoors under the patio roof.
From Farm to Market
Shovel and Hoe
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9. The VegTrug
I love my VegTrug! Although I consider this my
“trial” season, I can see it will be useful for years to
come. I used it to start seeds in late March, which is
when I also planted a row of beets in the center where
the planter is deepest.
I purchased the greenhouse and the screen covers with
the frame so that I could discourage the cat and the
deer from using and eating from it in the summer and
help keep the frost away in late fall. In late November,
I still have parsley and beets still looking good.
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10. Rainforest Sprinklers
Gentle, far-reaching, and economical – what’s not to love about Rainforest Sprinklers?
I have a lot of gardens to cover and a lot of sprinklers I’ve used beat them up pretty badly. I like that
this style does not, and I especially like that they are manufactured in North America out of 100%
recycled materials.
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11. Silky Zubat 270
Cuts like butter. Really. This is the perfect saw for those with
limited strength. There is seldom need for undercutting,
especially when pruning branches less than 5” in diameter. It’s
well-made with an excellent feel. It’s not inexpensive, but
you’ll find its value every time you go to cut a branch or even
saplings that might have gotten out of hand. I purchased the
Silky Zubat 270 at Taltree Arboretum & Gardens.
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12. Carruth Studios
I’ve been collecting
Carruth designs for
several years. Of course,
I especially like their
canine sculptures.
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13. This great series, by Laura
Baldwin, injects the fun into
eating vegetables. The title
character is Harry, an
exuberant little terrier-like
dog that loves his veggies
(except for turnips at first in
the latest book.) and spreads
the word to all the kids
around him. The book
encourages kids to garden, or
at least shows them where
their veggies come from.
These books are great for
children, but I must say, I
liked it too!
Carolina Today Video interview
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