Crazy Good Gift Ideas for Gardeners

Got a gardener on your Christmas list? No sweat: here are some of my favorite things. 

» Gift a Holiday Wreath!

Deck your Halls with greens from our local Charleston Horticultural Society Greenery Sale! They will be having a one-day sale at South Windermere Shopping Center Saturday December 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Look for fresh wreaths, growers' bunches, hot cider, and holiday samples from Earth Fare. See you there!

» Snap Up a Few of these Gardener's Totes! 

Don’t miss this one! These bags are it! They are incredibly durable and each is constructed from up-cycled sail fabric that is tagged with the individual ship’s name and waters from which she sailed, making each uniquely special. They have plenty of pockets for tools, seeds, and flasks (just kidding on the flask part). They are locally made by a company called Just Stuff 180, which donates a portion of each purchase to Water Missions International and Pet Helpers. This is a gift that gives back! They can be reached at www.juststuff180@yahoo.com.

I also purchased a few beach totes as gifts too!

» Seed Sprouter, Anyone? 

I love making incredible salads—nothing tastes better than a beautiful mix of fresh lettuces and greens from the garden topped with the seasonal veggies. This Seed Sprouter is a wonderful gift for anyone interested in growing their own sprouts. It allows you to grow multiple types of sprouts at once with its easy to use tray system. Here are some favorite sprout suggestions:

Broccoli Sprouts

Radish Sprouts

Alfalfa Sprouts

Fenugreek

Mung Bean

Don’t forget the microgreens!

Where to find? I found mine at Whole Foods but if it's out of stock you can also find it online at Botanical Interests.

>> Give Garden Whimsy, Made Locally! 

These are one-of-a-kind handmade pieces! This adorable necklace can be worn through all four seasons and celebrates our feathered friends. Designed by local artisan Vicky Seixas, they're great for those that love all creatures great and small in the garden. 

Or, how about a garden sculpture—it's like jewelry for the garden! Check out this creative approach by South Carolina metal artist Greg Sandlin. Sandlingreg@gmail.com.

» Give a Gardening Guide 

Timber Press has just released The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in the Southeast by Ira Wallace. This is a great gift for a new gardener to the Southeast or even for the well-seasoned Southern gardener. It is organized by month and will guide or remind, depending on your experience level, through the year in the garden. When to sow, what to sow, and how to sow—it's all there! Ira Wallace is part of the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange in Virginia, which offers over 700 varieties of heirloom and organic seeds selected for flavor and regional adaptability. She also writes for Mother Earth News.