Itβs that time of year again! There are lots of products out there for gardeners, so thereβs plenty of stuff to choose from.
If youβre struggling to come up with ideas on what to get your favorite gardener, or perhaps you just want to treat yourself, here are some options that Iβve found useful or that are on my own wish list.
Books
"Dry Climate Gardening" by Noelle Johnson, AKA the AZ Plant Lady. Published this year, with lots of helpful information based on Johnsonβs years of experience.
"Arizona Master Gardener Manual" from the University of Arizonaβs Master Gardener program. This is the definitive textbook for Master Gardeners training in Arizona. Great information on everything from basic botany to pest management, to composting.
"Eat Mesquite And More: Second Edition" by Desert Harvesters. Great recipes and tips on how to prepare our native foods like mesquite flour, Nopales, cactus fruit, and lots more.
"The Forgotten Botanist: Sara Plummer Lemmon's Life of Science and Art" by local author Wynne Brown.
"In the Arms of Saguaros: Iconography of the Giant Cactus"Β by William L. Bird, Jr.; a fun, detailed collection of historic photographs and illustrations featuring our beloved saguaros.
Practical garden gifts under $200
Rubber seed-starting trays. These are eco-friendly and reusable, and will last for years. They cost $40 for a 30-cell tray and can be washed in the dishwasher.
Sun protective clothing. Keep your favorite gardener safe and healthy by keeping their skin out of the sun. Coolibar has some great options, including wide-brim hats, long-sleeve shirts and pants.
Mounted retractable hose reel. These are around $150-$200 and are super handy to keep your yard from getting cluttered with hoses. This one is just over $150 and has 65 feet of hose that is retractable thanks to a spring mechanism.
Short shovel for digging at ground level. This is a great back saver, particularly if you have dense or hard-to-dig soil. These usually run from $10 to $30. Pair with the knee pads below!
Kneeling pad. An excellent tool for whenever you need to garden near the ground. These are a great knee saver, particularly for those of us whose knees are starting to show their age. Available in lots of colors and costs under $20.
High calf waterproof garden boots.Β You may think that we donβt need these in our dry climate, but theyβre actually great for protecting your ankles and calves from spines and thorns. They tend to run around $30 and come in lots of patterns and colors. Make sure they fit your gardenerβs calves, though. You can also go with mid-calf boots, but these offer less protection.
Garden tool caddy. A very useful tool to help your gardener with moving their tools around the yard. Itβs on casters, and isnβt too heavy; it costs around $130.
Sturdy arches not only look good but offer a place for climbing plants to grow. Gardeners can plant flowering vines or food plants, depending on their preferences.
Expensive stuff (over $200)
Indoor herb growing station. This Norwegian kit costs around $360Β and has everything you need to start growing herbs or other plants indoors.
Rotary hammer drill with spade attachment.Β This will set you back around $200 for the tool and $62 for the spade attachment. But itβs a great present for someone who doesnβt like to dig all of their planting holes by hand (and who does?). It makes digging through tough soil a breeze. It can also be fitted with other attachments for multiple uses. Use with the aboveβmentioned knee pads to save your back and knees.
Elevated garden beds. These are great for people who donβt like to bend over (or are no longer able to). They tend to be expensive ($250 and up) but they may be worth it if they allow someone to garden who otherwise couldnβt.
Arches and arbors. These are lovely in the garden, particularly if you want to frame the entryway to a garden area or just dress up a pathway. You can grow your favorite vines over them for shade and color. They are usually over $300.
