Knowing your gardener makes it easy to choose gifts

Where to start? Most gardeners deal with pests of the four-legged kind. If you know there is a need, animal deterrents make great winter holiday gifts. Since moose are at the top of the problem list, how about starting with a motion-activated (read "moose motion-activated") garden protector from my friends at Contech (contech-inc.com). The motion-activated sprinkler protects 1,200 square feet and squirts a startling series of water bursts at the slightest hint of motion. It might work on dogs, foxes and rabbits too. Of course, this is a summer-use only gift.

Or you could try an electronic deer repeller. YardGard Electronic Deer Repeller (bird-x.com/yardgard-p-40.html) and DeerGard Silent Deer Repeller (gooddeals.com/products/276/DeerGard-Silent-Deer-Repeller.aspx ) are also motion-detecting gadgets. These two produce "sonic and ultrasonic" sound. Deer Chaser, from my old friend Lee Reich, uses a very bright LED light and an FM radio to scare deer away (deerbusters.com/dee-4025.html).

Contech makes two other neat potential gifts, both available at its site. How about a gardener with cat problems? Check out Contech's cat control device. This is a motion detector that emits not water, but rather an ultrasonic "only-cats-can-hear" blast of noise whenever a cat walks within the 280 square foot area the sound covers. Finally Contech makes a device that will spin bird feeders, 10 pounds or less, humanely tossing off offending rodents.

Still one of my favorite gifts is Wingscapes' (wingscapes.com) motion-triggered, weatherproof, BirdCam that automatically takes downloadable pictures of the birds at your feeder. There is a new model that adds a flash, handy in our twilight and for night photos of other animals that wander into the yard. A heavy duty extension cord will make it a complete present. Batteries die quickly in cold weather.

There are two other new Wingscapes Cams: the PlantCam, which takes Disney-like time lapsed photos of your seedlings growing; and the Project Cam, which can time lapse record not just projects but your yard or gardens throughout the summer. Not for everyone, sure, but check it out, just in case.

Are terrariums, those self-sustaining, table top Victorian greenhouses, coming back? More and more companies are advertising them this year. Search online for "Gardener's Terrarium" or "Tabletop Terrarium," and you will find not only replicas of the original Victorian glass boxes but some modern ones as well. Most seed catalogs have gift certificates. Some will let you print them out online.

How about garden jewelry? As mentioned, you better know your friends' tastes, but if you do, how can you go wrong? Again, the Internet is your best friend. "Garden Jewelry" is the key word.

If you have an inquisitive child, how about a butterfly garden? Of course, you will have to send in for the larvae when it is warmer, but watching metamorphosis can be a life-changing experience. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself, but it is still a great gift). Search "Butterfly Garden" online or go to Amazon.com and search.

Any gardener with a greenhouse needs a maximum/minimum thermometer. I got a great one at True Value right here in Anchorage, but you can find even more at Edmund Scientifics (scientificsonline.com). Check out some of their other instruments like the thermometer-hygrometer which gives temperature and humidity.

Finally, and perhaps best of all, how about a nice little trip to Seattle for the Northwest Flower and Garden Show? The dates this year, actually, next year, are Feb. 23-27. The new owners did a great job with the show last year, and now that they are firmly in the saddle, it should be even better.

Print-at-home tickets can be purchased gardenshow.com/tickets. Lots of hotels in the Seattle area have show promotion rates and, of course, don't forget those first-class tickets on Alaska Airlines.

Jeff Lowenfels is a member of the Garden Writers Hall of Fame. You can reach him at teamingwithmicrobes.com or by calling 274-5297 during "The Garden Party" radio show from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays on KBYR AM-700.