The loyal reader knows how much I dislike the idea of horticultural holiday gifts. Gardeners are all very different, and they have their likes and dislikes. They do things their own way and buy things for the yard and garden when they need them. Who am I to suggest a present for the gardeners in your life? Why am I qualified to suggest a good gift other than to volunteer your time?
Ah, but of course, there is a rule on this from the manual all garden writers follow: You must do a holiday gift column. And many garden columnists earnestly get into the task. You learn that you can write an interesting column full of really expensive and out-of-reach gifts or that you can do just as good a column on terrible gifts. Ah, well. My philosophy is to find some really neat things that might be fun, but are easy to take back.
First of all, I am sticking by my conviction that the best gift you can give the gardener in your life is a set number of hours of help. Trust me, any gardener would be pleased to have an assistant willing to do grunt work. Your time helping is a priceless gift. If you know there is a particular task your gardener dislikes (dandelion patrol, anyone?), why not make a very specific volunteer gift?
Next, you can't really go wrong with gift certificates for use at a local nursery. And yes, it doesn't show much thought, but what the heck. We all shop at them. They have stuff you know your gardeners will need. And this is a gift that is local, so it is helpful to our economy. You know where your gardener shops.
For the youngster gardener, how about a Garden Root Viewer? You know me, always into roots and their microbes. This looks like a fun way to learn about plant roots and something that can be studied in the middle of the winter when there is no garden. Instructions come for the study of radish, celery and onions.
How about a bath mat made out of living mosses? Imagine your gardener stepping onto a beautiful moss mat, wiggling her toes while it absorbs the drippings from the shower or bath. You will need a bit of light in your bathroom. Yes, sure, it can be used elsewhere in the house or even yard this summer.
I have always been a fan of the Aerogarden (Google, as there are many sources, or buy locally). This is a kitchen-top unit that makes it incredibly easy to grow herbs and is great for starting spring seeds -- including, by the way, cannabis seeds. The company has been rescued and resuscitated by Scotts Miracle-Gro so you can be assured of parts and supplies for a long, long time.
You might want to consider beanstalk message seeds. You really have to see these to appreciate them. Once you do, perhaps you will figure out how to do this on your own for a lot less money.
Next, I don't know a gardener who doesn't need a great weeding tool. If yours doesn't have one, then consider buying a CobraHead weeder. You can find these American-made tools all over town, but check out the website to see why it is considered by many to really be the best weeders. If you are unsure, start with the short-handled model.
Finally, since your gardener is probably going a bit stir-crazy this winter, why not consider something that anybody can grow -- mushrooms? You can find all manner of mushroom kits out there, but for my money you can't beat Paul Stamets' Fungi Perfecti. You will find a great selection of kits and once you give yours, your giftee will have the very best source of information and instructions to follow. Growing mushrooms, although they are not plants, is the closest thing your gardener may come to growing and harvesting for the next six months.
Jeffs Alaska Garden Calendar
Alaska Botanical Garden: A great gift for the entire family is a membership to the Alaska Botanical Garden. (www.alaskabg.org)
Houseplants: Pay some attention to yours. It is dark out there.