‘Tis the season of trying to figure out what gift to give at Christmas.
While I love Christmas time, I have the hardest time buying for someone who “doesn’t need anything.” Worse maybe is me trying to come up with a list that my family may use to buy me something. Truly, it can get difficult.
And while I write this on a cold and blustery morning and you read this on a cold and blustery day as well, let’s not forget that Christmas gifts can be for the garden and landscape.
Looking around a landscape, I think there are lots of gift giving opportunities that would work. For years, I’d give my mom a rose bush for Christmas or Valentine’s Day. The opportunity to grow citrus here such the Meyer lemon or satsumas is abundantly evident. A single, well cared for citrus tree could provide more than enough citrus fruit for family and some neighbors.
Other great options for more traditionally grown fruit in east Texas are figs or pomegranate or even a native mayhaw.
You could find an antique/heirloom plant that you could gift. True gardeners most likely know all about “pass-along-plants.” The problem is that we really don’t pass along to many plants due to the large selection of several, quality nurseries. Let me propose that heirloom plants can certainly be purchased from local and online nurseries!
For smaller spaces in the landscape, there are bulbs galore that are harder and harder to find. Consider perennials that may provide color or dimension. Garden structures such as a bench or an obelisk may be a fine addition to the landscape, and certainly won’t need any maintenance.
I’m going to guess that most vegetable gardeners really don’t need help buying traditional vegetable seeds. I find a lot of fun sorting thru the seed bins and studying the seed packets for what I want to try. Where I hesitate is with a new tool or wheelbarrow or other such items. There are specialty hoes, pruning shears, and more for the offering. Google “specialty garden tools” and you may be surprised.
For older gardeners that do have a full landscape and garden, but are having troubles working outside, there are several rolling seats, kneeling cushions, and other aids to make tending to plants easier.
Lastly, I think of gardeners as lifelong learners. They must be. They learn from trial and error, and sharing with others the secrets of how things grow best. For them, a historical book such as “Heirloom Gardening in the South or Antique Roses for the South” would be a great gift. Bulb lovers must have “The Bulb Hunter” by Wiesinger on their shelf as well. He documents the story of locating bulbs across the South.
So, to wrap up, consider new or hard to find plants. Also, think of tools, gardening aids and even a good book. Whether young or old, inexperienced or a veteran, there are lot of gifts for a gardener.
