Hints for Santa: A Gardener's Wish List

Included on almost every list of gift suggestions for gardeners is a set of gardening gloves and a pair of pruners.

While I've grown to appreciate gifts that are useful, for Christmas I want a treat.  A pair of pruners is rather like getting a toaster for Christmas. It's just way to practical! If I need a good set of pruners, I'll buy them for myself.

I'd like to find something pretty under the tree. And if that pretty gift has a practical use, so much the better. With this in mind, I have gathered together a gardener's wish list of hints for Santa.

Dahlia May Flower Farm specializes in growing romantic and fragrant, often heirloom, varieties of flowers. Owned and operated by Melanie Harrington the farm is located near Trenton in Southern Ontario.

This year Melanie has put together two calendars that would make wonderful gifts for any flower lover. The portraits in the Men with Blooms calendar are of Melanie's husband, her family, friends and fellow local business owners. The Florals calendar includes pictures of tulips, daffodils and other favourite photos from the last year. 

Both calendars are just $20 each plus $5 shipping for Canadian customers (very slightly more for those customers in the USA). Here's a link right to the Men with Blooms Calendar order page and the Florals 2018 Calendar order page. 

Are these watering cans gorgeous or what? 

I have a number of vintage waterings cans (that I use all the time), but who wouldn't want one of these shiny, new models made by Haws in the U.K.? The one the left is their Copper Watering Can, and on the right is their 8.8 litre Heritage Watering Can. 

You can find a range of these waterings cans new on Amazon, previously loved on eBay and new at Lee Valley Tools. Here's a link to the American branch of the company as well.

This Thompson and Elm Bird and Spool Twine Holder and Scissors Set is both attractive and handy. This one came from the shop at the Toronto Botanical Gardens here in Toronto, but you can also find it on Amazon.

I was telling my husband about all my terrific finds the other evening while we were walking the dogs. 

"I bet you'd never think to get me a rain gauge, would you?"

"A rain gauge?" he returned, proving my point.

"Yah, I think it might be fun to track the amount of rainfall we receive", I replied enthusiastically, "And it would be even nicer if there was a cute frog holding the glass gauge."

I am not sure if he got the hint, but here's a couple of adorable rain gauges if you think it would be fun idea to monitor rainfall too:

Both are from Iron Accents. Here is the webpage with the Bird and Nest ($38 US) and here is a link to the Scientist Frog ( $45 US).

Iron Accents also have whimsical hose guides: Dancing Frog ($33 US) and Bunny Holding Umbrella ($36 US) 

Finally, how about this palatial abode for toads? Toad House ($60 US)

The one time I have to worry about the dogs trampling my garden is in the spring when the perennials are just beginning to pop up out of the cold ground. The garden eventually fills in to a jungle-like density, by which time, the dogs prefer to run in the open grassed area. Having a wire cloche to protect the most precious of my emerging plants would be great.

These Victorian-inspired wire cloches from Gardener's Supply Company are $23 (US) or $18 (US) each when you buy three or more.

Terrariums are always a welcome gift. On the right is Gardener's Supply Company's Hanging Prism Terrarium ($19.95 US) and on the left is Teardrop Tabletop Terrarium (on sale for $31.88 US). 

While your on the Gardener's Supply Company website check out the bird feeders, plant supports, Mason Bee Houses, tomato cages etc, etc...

Floret Flower Farm is a family run business in the Skagit Valley (Washington state) that specializes in growing unique, uncommon and heirloom flowers (Read more here). Their online shop features cut flower seeds, dahlia tubers, spring-flowering bulbs, tools, supplies and gifts.

You can buy individual seed packages, but I think that one of Floret Flower Farm's Seed Collections might make a really nice gift. I've picked just two examples from the many options: 

The Creamsicle Mix ($25 US) on the left includes Amaranth 'Coral Fountain', Annual Baby's Breath 'Covent Garden', Celosia Supercrest Mix, Cosmos 'Purity', Zinnia 'Oklahoma Salmon' and Zinnia 'Salmon Rose'.

The Pink Romance Mix ($25 US) on the right includes Bachelor's Buttons 'Classic Romantic', Bells of Ireland, Chinese Forget-me-not 'Mystic Pink', Corn Cockle 'Ocean Pearls', Orlaya 'White Finch Lace' and Stock 'Malmaison Pink'.

Another great gift idea might be a print of the farm's flower filled truck. Erin writes, "The truck, lovingly nicknamed Little Fat Dragon by the kids when they were small, is the heart of the farm..." 

The print is 12" x 12" and is on sale at the moment for just $15 US.

If you have followed this blog for awhile, then you'll know that I have a collection of rusty silhouettes scattered throughout the garden. Rusty metal stakes with birds also form the centrepiece of many of my container plantings.

These stakes would make nice, affordable gifts.  Bluebirds on Pussy-Willow Stake ($25.50 US) and Chickadees & Berries Stake ($21 US). They're all from Rusty Birds.com As well these stakes, there are animal silhouettes, plants and trees, Christmas decorations and more. 

I have long been a fan of photographer Ellen Hoverkamp. Ellen did the illustrations for the book Natural Companions by Ken Druse (which itself would make a nice gift). 

Ellen creates her fine art photographs using a flat bed scanner. Medium and large sized archival prints of her work are available through her online shop. If Santa was feeling generous, these prints would make an amazing gift.

A very affordable alternative might be a set of gift cards ($20 US).

I had great fun putting this list together. Hopefully it will give you a few ideas. Up shortly will be a number of recommended books for gift giving.

Terrarium Craft Book Giveaway

I have always, always wanted one of those fancy terrariums. 

You know the ones...clear glass with the decorative, metal framed exterior. The problem is that they are so darned expensive! (The one pictured here is from Pottery Barn.)

Then while shopping for Christmas gifts, I came across a book called Terrarium Craft. As I flipped through the pages, I saw lots of creative alternatives to that the pricy glass terrarium that I had always wanted, but could never seem to afford. The book ended up going onto my Christmas wish list and luckily hubby surprised me with a copy on Christmas Day.

I thought that you might enjoy the book too and so I contacted the book's publisher. Not only do I have a preview of some of Terrarium Craft's fun projects today, I also have persuaded them to send a copy of the book to one lucky reader (more about that at the end of the post).

What did I like about the book? It was filled with great ideas. 

Terrarium Craft is not necessarily a book you have to read cover to cover to get going. There is a general introduction to terrariums at the front of the book, as well as information on all the practical aspects of making terrariums. Building materials, plant selection and care are presented in a light informative way in this capter. This is followed by a step by step series of pictures and instructions demonstrating how to make your terrarium.

Then you are right into the projects and there are lots of good ones. One of my favourites has to be the bell terrarium at the opening of the post.

Each of the book's 50 project has its own picture/s, along with the list of materials required to make it, all clearly laid out in the same way that most cookbooks list the ingredients. Each recipe has helpful suggestions, and tips on plant care. At the end of the book, a handy resource guide is included. 

The projects included forest terrariums, beach terrariums, desert terrariums, and fantasy terrariums.

There is just something magical about these little miniature worlds, isn't there?

For years, I have collected shells from walks along the beach, so I thought that I might make use of some of them for my first terrarium.

For my project, I used a colored glass jar that I got on clearance for $5.99. I found the sand and pebbles at the local craft store. For plant material, I selected a jade plant that I knew could put up with a good deal of neglect (embarrassingly enough, I am terrible with indoor plants!).

I put my new terrarium on the windowsill by my art table.

If you would like to be included in the draw for a copy of Terrarium Craft, please leave a comment below. If you are too shy to leave a comment, but would still like to be included, please feel free to drop me a line by email and I will be glad to include your name in the draw. 

The winner will be drawn this Sunday at 10am (my time). Look for an announcement of the winner early in the week. Many thanks to Timber Press for providing a book for this giveaway. Good luck everyone!

More Information and Links:

19 reviews of Terrarium Craft. 

About the Authors: 
Amy Bryant (on the left) owns a popular boutique (ww.artemisiaonon28th.com) specializing in terrariums,indoor gardens, and fine art. 
Kate Byrant (centre) is a writer who has contributed to a wide range of publications. She has a gardening column in the Portland Monthly and a garden blog, Plantwise. 
Kate Baldwin (right) is a food and lifestyle photographer living in Seattle. Find more of her beautiful photography on her website: www.katebaldwinphotography.com

Photo credits this post: All photographs marked with a copyright are by Kate Baldwin and have been used with kind permission from Timber Press.