Has shopping for your gardener friends got you stumped? We all think about the usual gardening gloves, small tools, a gardening stool, kneeling pads, etc., but here are some other ideas.
Gardening books make great choices, especially when you know a friend's area of special interest, like roses, orchids, or herbs. If in doubt about which book is right, a gift certificate to a book store would be great. A subscription to a gardening magazine or a gift certificate from a local nursery are also welcome presents.
If you enjoy making unique gifts, try a live wreath made with dampened florist foam and fresh Rosemary, or a "kissing ball" with various herbs. Either would really bring joy to the gardeners on your list.
And let's not forget the "2000 Northeast Texas Planting Guide and Calendar" produced by the Smith County Master Gardeners Association. It not only will keep your friends up to date, it also provides loads of gardening information specifically for our area's growing conditions, as well as things to do each month. This takes the guesswork out of "when should I prune my roses" or "is it too late to fertilize my lawn" and so on. You could even clip some seed packets to the calendar on the appropriate months for planting.
Grady Bedinger, Smith County Master Gardener
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