Top 10 Gifts for Gardeners - Stocking Stuffers

Finally nurseries have wised up and are putting seed packets out early enough to scoop some up as stocking stuffers. You can choose things that will grow indoors, like basil and chives, maybe pull together a bouquet of black-eyed Susans, statice and baby's breath, choose some of your favorites to share or just grab and assortment. You could even give some seeds from your own garden. Can't decide? How about a gift certificate to a local garden center or a mail order seed company.

These quirky little plant markers will certainly stand out clearly in the garden. They're made of bamboo, so they are also very durable. They come in a set of 6, measuring 2 1/4 in. to 3 in. wide x 6 1/4 in. to 8 in. height x 1/4 in. thick and are labeled as suitable for indoors or out.

Dandelions might seem an odd choice for a gardener, but they signify abundance and I think they're lovely. Besides, wearing dandelions as ornamentation just seems to be a wink at nature. These are sterling silver, hand-sawed by the artist, Pamela Pollack, and brushed to a mat satin finish. 1 1/2 inches length from the top of the ear wire to the bottom of the teardrop.

I still love this idea. As charming as a box of fine chocolates and much less fattening. These bon bons are made of seeds, organic compost and clay. It's an instant way to plant, fertilize and prevent birds and insects from eating your seeds.

My new favorite is the Cocktail garnish - Slow Drinks Garden Bon Bons, with borage, lemon balm and basil. The Italian Herb Selection comes with basil, chives, parsley and thyme and the Herbal Tea box has seeds of lemon balm, chamomile, borage and stinging nettleLemon Balm/Melissa officinalis. Just toss them in a sunny part of your garden, water and be patient. The hard part is parting with the adorable bon bons.

A convenient and easy to use sharpener - who wouldn't be thrilled to find this in their stocking?  I was skeptical at first, but this little gen really works. It's easy on the hands and safe on the fingers. Good for a multitude of straight-edge tools. Plastic with diamond-honed tungsten carbide 4-1/8" W x 2" W.  $19.95 

Sometimes you just want one or two perfect blooms next to your chair or desk, right? This tubular vase is made of recycled glass dangles from a black metal wall-mounted hanger (included). The vase is 8 in. tall and just wide enough for a couple of stems or a branch of lucky bamboo.