2014 Holiday Gifts for The Gardener

Cary, NC — The yard may be laying dormant, but the gardener is planning the next season. We found some gifts that will give that special green-thumbed person reason to be joyful while cooped up inside.

2014 Holiday Gifts for The Gardener

These special gifts will extend the growing season and lay plans for Spring.

Pretty ceramic cache pots coupled with a bright indoor plant will warm a gardener’s heart in winter

Cyclamen blooms during the winter and provides a welcome shot of color on dreary days

Cache Pots

When you can’t garden outdoors, bring the garden indoors. Start with some beautiful ceramic pots and add a bright winter flowering indoor plant like cyclamen to warm up the dark days of winter. The pots shown above run from $12- $20, and the cyclamen pictured is $14.

Remember not to over water! These low commitment gifts are a perfect one-size-fits-all for gardeners and non-gardeners alike. The flowering plant can remain in its original pot and be switched out after the blooms fade.

Terrariums have gotten an update with fairy furniture

Terrariums

Part decor and part living plant experiment, terrariums have gained popularity lately–along with the trend of “fairy gardens” that add whimsical personality. Pick a large decorative glass container, add some soil and moss, and then pick out smaller indoor plants.

To make it a fairy garden, add in miniature furnishings to create a scene that can be a pretty distraction on a living room table. For $10, the Garden Supply Company can help you put it all together, practically guaranteeing your success.

Nanodome makes a neat system for indoor growing

Germinating

Many gardeners set up seeds to germinate indoors during the winter months so that they can be planted outdoors after the last frost in prepared raised beds. For that special someone, there are an array of tools that take the guess-work out of indoor growing.

Because the winter can create dimly lit, drafty spaces that may be cool at night, it is often difficult to germinate seeds successfully. With the following growing tools, the gardener can have well established seedlings ready in time for spring.

This mat ensures even temperatures when seeds are germinating.

The Seedling Heat Mat keeps temperatures optimally warm for $99.99.

Plants need quality light. A quality grow light can run at about $50 and can be attached to a frame that hovers above your growing area. Starter kits with a stand, growing tray and light run at about $60 from the Nanodome company.

Indoor Growing- Hydroponics

If you want to grow lettuce or other greens indoors year-round, a hydroponic system makes the process easy, not messy.

This tray includes a soil-less growing medium, and you have the option of adding fertilizer. Again, an indoor grow light is required to ensure that the plants receive the sufficient number of quality light hours, which won’t be possible indoors during the winter.

Pictured here are some lettuce and parsley plants for that winter salad.

Hydroponic growing goes mainstream with this system for indoor soil-less growing

Watering Tool

The Plant Nanny is a globe that you fill with water, invert, and place in a potted plant’s soil. It is both decorative and functional. Whether you travel often or are just forgetful, this handy tool can keep the plants watered indoors and out. There are two sizes: the 12 oz small is $22, and the large 24 oz runs at $33.

The plant Nanny waters your plants while you are away

Treat a Friend–Or Yourself

Any of these innovative gardening tools would be welcome gifts to the gardener. Maybe you will purchase them for yourself with your “Christmas money.”  Either way, let us know of any other tools that you have seen that would be welcome gifts in your gardening arsenal.

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Story by Lindsey Chester. Photo by SunChild 57.

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The Gardening Column is sponsored in part by Garden Supply Co.