Top 15 Gifts for Gardeners

1. Garden Books

Gardening books are always a treasure as well as absolutely necessary resources. Here's a list of some of the best I've used and enjoyed.

2. Garden Tool Tote

Garden totes have become de facto tools. The question is whether to have a garden tote, but which style. And there are many to choose from. Important features are size (you want to be able to lift it, let alone carry it), sturdy construction and ease of organizing what's in the tote.

3. Hand Pruners

A high quality pair of pruners are a gardener's best tool. There's probably no other tool that will get more use. And a clean cut is important to the plants' health. Look for one with replaceable parts, especially blades, and it will last that much longer. These are ergonomic, too.

4. Windowsill Herb Garden

A great way to beat the winter doldrums is by growing herbs on your windowsill. Nothing hints of summer like the scent of fresh herbs. This kit comes with 3 mini-urn planter and seeds of thyme, parsley, and oregano. It's pretty enough to eat.

5. Foxgloves Gardening Gloves

I still love these gloves. I tried my first pair about 5 years ago. It took me two years to poke through a finger and I used them pretty much every day. They're flexible enough to do delicate work, yet still protect your hands. If only they were water-proof.

For the cooler months and when I need something more heavy duty, I'd recommend West Country Gardener's Waterproof Gloves are rugged and warm. They're wonderful for fall garden clean-up and early spring chores.

6. Portabella Mushroom Kit

Nothing could be easier to grow than mushrooms, yet how many of us do it? The kit looks like a little gift box. Each box is inoculated with mushroom spores and should yield about 4 lovely pounds of mushrooms. They're fast grower too. The recipient should be harvesting in about 1 month - just when winter starts to drag on and a gardener could use a little boost. There are also kits for shiitake and button mushrooms.

7. The PotLifter

One of those "Why didn't I think of this?" ideas. It's also one of those tools you only think about buying when you need it - which is whenever you have to move a heavy planter, bags of mulch, tree stumps, large rocks.... A simple, elegant, ergonomic back saver. They'll think of you every time they use it to make a job easier.

8. Sore Shoulder Relief Wrap

Sore muscles come with the territory. This lovely little microwaveable neck wrap is filled with rice and flaxseed. You can pop it in the microwave to warm and soothe sore shoulders and neck, with dry or moist heat, or you can swap it into the freezer and chill out.

9. "Wecome" Garden Plaque

Every gardener likes to show off their garden and this sign invites viewer in. Made of 100% recycled cast aluminum, to be earth-friendly. The plaque measure 8" (H) x 14" (W) and stands 32" high.

10. Garden Labeler

Half the battle of labeling plants is being able to read what you wrote, 6 months from now. Either you squeeze the name in so small, you can't make it out, or it's faded from both the label and your memory. This Brother labeler is small enough and light enough to carry with you into the garden. And it uses a laminated tape that won't fade or peel even in garden conditions.