LSU AgCenter's Weekly Message

Gifts for Gardeners

It’s the time of year when people try to think of something to give their hard-to-buy-for (or not-so-hard-to-buy-for) family and friends. Here are some gift ideas for gardeners.

I’ll start with perhaps the most obvious category: plants.

Before buying a plant for someone, consider if they will have the time and physical ability to care for it. Giving an unsolicited plant isn’t quite like giving someone a puppy without their consent, but we probably don’t want to give someone something that’s likely to result in guilt for letting the plant die. Also consider if they have an appropriate site (including factors such as space, light exposure, and drainage) for the plant you intend to give. Make sure it’s one that’s well-suited to our climate.

If someone doesn’t have a yard but has a sunny patio or balcony, you might think of giving them a container planted with a perennial herb like oregano, rosemary, or mint.

Most people have space for a houseplant, even if they don’t have a yard, patio, or balcony. If you gift a houseplant, consider what type of light conditions the person has. Some houseplants tolerate very low light conditions while others need the bright light of, e.g., a south-facing window.

If you’re not sure what kind of plant someone would like or has a place for, consider giving a gift certificate for a garden center. If you do give a plant, you might consider including an IOU for planting it, too.

If someone has a patio, deck, or balcony, a decorative container can be a delightful gift. In most cases, it’s best for containers to have an adequate number of drainage holes so that the plant’s roots don’t drown.

Gardening tools are other options. Hand pruners (bypass-type, preferably, since these are less likely to crush stems), loppers, hand saws, or trowels of good quality can make nice gifts. If someone has a harder time moving around than they once did, look into adaptive or ergonomic gardening tools. Kneelers and the small carts that also function as garden seats can also help make gardening more comfortable.

I was recently introduced to collapsible leaf or yard waste bins. These are nice for collecting weeds so that you can easily transport them out of the garden.

The final group of gifts I’ll mention are the first I thought about when starting this article: books about gardening. Keep in mind that gardening is location-specific, so it’s probably best to choose ones written by writers familiar with plants suitable for the Deep South.

What’s a great garden-related gift you’ve received or would like to receive?

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Dr. Mary Helen Ferguson is an Extension Agent with the LSU AgCenter, with horticulture responsibilities in Washington and Tangipahoa Parishes. Contact Mary Helen at mhferguson@agcenter.lsu.edu or 985-277-1850 (Hammond) or 985-839-7855 (Franklinton).