The holidays are here, and if you’re like me you’ll probably put off your Christmas shopping until the very last possible hour. While this method usually works just fine, it has been known to contribute to some very…unusual gifts for my friends and family. To help you avoid any awkward gift dilemmas this season, I’ve compiled three of the most useful gifts for those who love their lawn and garden. Even better, these are gifts you can even make yourself. DIY gifts add a personal touch and allow you to skip the shopping madness altogether.
Planting Containers
If there’s one thing a gardener can’t get enough of, it’s planting containers. For folks with only a deck or balcony, container gardens are the best way to utilize a small space. Container gardening provides the freedom to move and arrange your garden in any desired way. You can also use them to help soften boundaries and fill in corners around a deck or balcony. And the possibilities are endless for gifting. Planters can be purchased new from almost any garden center, and there are hundreds of styles, colors and materials to choose from. You can also get creative by turning everyday items into unique planters. I’ve seen everything from cinder blocks to tea pots, even an old piano, being used as planters.
Wildflower Seed Gifts
Wildflower seed packets make great stocking stuffers. You could even create the ultimate gardener’s gift basket complete with wildflowers seeds, a new trowel and other garden tools. If you’re looking for something really unique, consider making a batch of wildflower seed bombs. These handy little seed balls are especially fun for children, and are an easy way to plant wildflowers just about anywhere a splash of color is desired. Seed paper is another excellent wildflower related gift idea and great for holiday cards, birthday cards and wedding invitations.
Compost Tumblers
Compost tumblers make great gifts for those that spend a lot of time with the lawn and garden. The benefits of composting are well known, and many people already have a compost bin or pile somewhere on their property. While a tumbler is not a necessary part of composting, it does make the process a lot easier. Compost bins require gardeners to turn the materials regularly by hand with a pitchfork or shovel. On the other hand, a compost tumbler can be easily cranked with a handle which rotates the drum and automatically mixes the contents. They can also speed up the composting process, allowing for quicker cycles from organic materials to rich dark humus. Compost tumblers can be purchased new for a couple hundred dollars, or they can be made using common materials. Check out this Youtube video from TheCrunchyHouseWife that explains how to make your own compost tumbler.