Best Stocking Stuffer Christmas Gifts for Gardeners

Pop-up Garden Bucket

Here's an idea I had not seen before and it is a great gift idea! I can't count how many times I have gone out to the garden and had to walk back to get a bucket to put weeds in. This little bucket expands into a 2.5 gallon, water-tight bucket and collapses flat to pack into its own little holding bag. Found online at 12.99

Gardening Gloves

There is a wide variety of gloves for gardeners. I personally like those that have a waterproof barrier on the fingers and palms. Not only does that enable me to grip small weeds for weeding, but my hands don't get as cold in cool, damp ground. The price will range on these depending on materials. They can easily be found in every hardware store or garden center. Gloves do come in different sizes so compare your hand to the gardener you're buying for in order to get the right size.

Plant Markers

There is nothing more frustrating than to plant rows of seeds, have a wonderful crop and not remember which brand of seeds you planted. Plant markers can not only remind you of what you planted in which row, but can also help you to remember in July which Heirloom tomato plant those yummy harvested tomatoes came from. Plant markers come in a variety of materials, from white plastic to wood to copper. The price for these will vary with materials. My grandmother even used recycled plastic spoons. They worked great and never cost her a cent! If you go the plastic spoons route, simply include a batch of the spoons, a Sharpie or other fine line permanent marker. Write Tomatoes on one of the spoons, so they will know exactly what they are for, and tie the whole batch together with a pretty ribbon.

Ergonomic Gardening Tools

With many gardeners bothered by carpal tunnel or arthritis, the wide variety of ergonomic gardening tools can be a blessing. Various weeders, trowels and cultivators have ergonomic designs available. These curved handles take less effort and are designed to be more comfortable for the gardener.

Garden Art

Bring some good luck to the garden with a little garden gnome to watch over it. These little pieces of garden art can vary in both size and price, but an eight inch garden gnome tucked into a garden is a cute little addition. Don't like gnomes? There are frogs, bunnies, fairies and more. Any small decorative piece that can be tucked under a plant and stand up to outdoor weather makes a wonderful gift.

Rain Gauge

There is a huge variety of rain gauges on the market and several are small enough to tuck into a Christmas stocking. They not only add visual interest to a garden but tell you how much rain you've gotten during any given period. Why would you need this? It helps you to be a smart waterer-no over watering or under watering. The marked tube will be made of glass or plastic, though I've found the glass kind easiest to read.

Pocket Books

What do gardeners do when they are not gardening? They read about gardening, of course. There are a number of small books that can be tucked into a stocking. Books can range from natural plants or birds in your area, pests and how to get rid of them, to various garden types like rose, butterfly or herb gardens. These can be found both online and in garden centers. And don't forget about The Farmer's Almanac! This yearly book is always an interesting read for your gardener.

Seeds

What a variety to be had with this one. How about some Heirloom Tomato seeds, or seeds for plants native to your area? There are even shaker cans containing seeds to create Butterfly, Hummingbird or Wildflower gardens. Any gardening center should be able to help you with this purchase, plus there are some great online companies to order seeds from. One of my favorites is Gurney.com

Seed Starters

Peat Pellets or little Peat Pots are great to stuff into the stocking. Place them in a little bag to keep them from littering the stocking with peat moss and tie the bag with a ribbon. These are very inexpensive and something the gardener can enjoy even before they can work outside again.

Where can you purchase up items like these?

Most home improvement or hardware stores like Lowes, Home Depot or Ace Hardware have a garden center. Nurseries in your area should also carry the items in the above list. In addition, there are numerous online sources.

Here are a few links of places I've used before:

Clean Air Gardening
Gurney's Seed and Nursery
The Herb Cottage
Good Seed Company
Direct Gardening