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Last minute gifts for the gardener

It’s not too late, there are still a few days before Christmas to get your gardener a special, albeit last minute, gift or two. And even though we’re in the midst of winter, many garden centres and specialty tool stores are open.
garden gifts
A selection of gardening books by Prairie authors, a seed catalogue, an annual garden magazine, a Japanese hand hoe on the left and a hori kori knife and sheath on the right.

It’s not too late, there are still a few days before Christmas to get your gardener a special, albeit last minute, gift or two. And even though we’re in the midst of winter, many garden centres and specialty tool stores are open. And of course, there’s the Internet that is open all day, every day of the year.

I believe in tools for life. Whether a trowel or shovel, make sure construction is solid, and I mean solid. Hand tools that last are typically one-piece cast aluminum for maximum strength and durability. One small detail is often overlooked is colour – handles of hand-tools should ideally be red so they stand out. Larger tools like spades and hoes should have handles of solid ash (or similar hardwood), heavy gauge tubular steel or have a solid steel shaft. If they come with a lifetime guarantee, that’s even better. The only reason to replace most quality tools is because they were lost or your neighbour/sister-in-law/fill-in-the-blank stole it.

If your gardener has all the usual tools, think outside the box. Shovels, hoes and some hand tools should be sharp. An axe file is the best tool for getting this job done and is a fairly inexpensive, and thoughtful, gift.

A rabbiting spade with a long, narrow, curved blade is great for digging out large perennials, in close quarters, without disturbing nearby plants. A Japanese hand hoe is great for dealing up close and personal with the root of most problem weeds, or a hori kori knife for dividing tough perennials or digging up deep-root weeds.

For only a couple of dollars, perhaps UV-proof permanent garden markers so plant labels don’t fade. I always appreciate a new pair of sturdy gardening gloves – not the pretty floral cloth kind, but soft calf or goatskin gloves for comfort and real skin protection. Or wrap up good watering can. Look for one that is balanced, large enough volume to get the job done and easy to fill. Haws, using the same watering can design since 1886, is a classic but an expensive choice. But again, it’s a tool for life.

This being winter and all, perhaps a gardening book or a subscription to a gardening magazine would be more appreciated.

For books, look for local or Prairie authors. Sara Williams (Saskatoon) has authored and co-authored with Hugh Skinner ( Roblin Man.) several books. Among them — Gardening Naturally: A Chemical-free Handbook for the Prairies; Best Ground-covers and Vines for the Prairies; and Creating the Prairie Xeriscape. Her most recent book is a history of the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo.

Other prairie authors worth reading include Donna Balzer (Alberta), Lyndon Penner (Alberta, formerly of Saskatoon), Lois/Jim Hole (Alberta) and Liesbeth Leatherbarrow (Alberta) to name just a few.

If your gardener has a passion for hardy roses, hostas, perennial grasses, water gardening or some other species, group of plants or gardening technique, then there may be a book that deals with their obsession topic in-depth with a prairie take on things.

Gardening magazines with a Prairie perspective are The Gardener for the Prairies (quarterly) or The Prairie Garden (annual; this year’s theme is grasses and succulents).

If all else fails, there are always gift cards. These can be for local garden centres, specialty tool stores and farm and garden supply stores. It can also include Canadian online seed, plant and garden supply e-tailers like Stokes, Johhny Seeds, Whitehouse Perennials and so many more. For an extensive list of online suppliers see www.icangarden.com.

These suggestions will work for other special gift giving occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and just because.

— This column is provided courtesy of the Saskatchewan Perennial Society (www.saskperennial.ca; hortscene@yahoo.com). Check out our Bulletin Board or Calendar for upcoming garden information sessions.