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4 Great Gift Ideas For The Gardener In Your Life
4 Great Gift Ideas For The Gardener In Your Life
Gardening season for most people is still months away, but the need for good gardening tools is always present. Over the years, I have purchased many gardening tools and have learned a lot. I used to pick the cheap ones because I figured that I only needed certain tools a couple days every year and I didn’t need to spend a lot of money for a seldom-used tool. What I have learned over the years is that a cheap gardening tool just won’t last very long. Having a shovel handle break or a rake bend while you are in the middle of planting can be very frustrating.
Good tools cost more money, but the extra expense is worth the investment. Whenever a family member asks what I want for Christmas or even my birthday, I usually ask for a gardening tool. Since I want one that lasts, I will often tell them the brand name and the model number, if available. Here is a lists of tools I feel are important for any gardener to own and would be a great gift this holiday season.
Hand Pruners
This is the number one tool I use, without a doubt. The brand I recommend is Felco and in particular the Felco 2 Classic bypass pruners. I received my first set of this pruner in 1972 and still use them to this day, although I did ask for and received a new one a couple of years ago. Maybe I will give the older one to my grandson when he gets a little older.
The great thing about these pruners is that you can purchase replacement blades. If you garden long enough, you will probably use the pruners for something other than their intended purpose and end up breaking the blade. I am not that tied to any particular brand name, except for Felco pruners.
Long-Handled Shovel
After breaking the handle on the third shovel, I decided I needed to purchase a better one that can take some abuse. I now have one with a fiberglass handle and have not regretted my choice since I received it as a gift about 10 years ago.
Nursery Spade
This shovel takes a good deal of abuse, at least from me. Whether I use it to edge a bed, remove some sod or dig up old tree roots, a nursery spade that has a full metal strap on the handle to add rigidity and strength. Expect to pay close to $100 for this shovel, but it will be the last spade you will need to purchase.
Assorted Hand Tools
I have a collection of half-broken hand cultivators, trowels and other hand tools that I purchased on a whim. The only thing they do now is take up space. I often look through the catalog from Gardener’s Supply (gardeners.com) to look for decent, well-constructed hand tools.
When shopping for the gardener fanatic in your life make sure you do some research before you make your selection. Hardware stores or discount centers will carry the cheaper ones, but when they are in the middle of planting and the scoop part falls off the trowel they are using, they will really wish they had received the $20 model instead of the $2.99 sale one.
There are many other gardening tools you can choose to purchase or add to your wish list. My advice is to pick ones that will last longer than one season. Do a little research and you will be much happier in the long run.