Welcome to Randy Lemmon's "KPRC TALKRADIO Gardenline" Tip of the Week Text-Only Edition Date- October 31, 2002 Issue #46 http://kprcradio.com By Subscription Only! You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instructions are at the end of this newsletter. ------------------------------------------------------------ IN THIS ISSUE ------------------------------------------------------------ => Gift Ideas For the Gardener This Holiday Season ------------------------------------------------------------ Gardenline Tip of the Week - Randy Lemmon ------------------------------------------------------------ Got a gardener in the family? How about a gift that they might actually enjoy this year, other than a tie with leaves on it? If you're the gardener, then forward this message to your family members, as a not-so-subtle hint, as to what you want for the holidays. Garden items make unusual, welcome, and unique gifts, and the selections are vast. There is something for nearly everyone in any price range. The following gift suggestions may just fit into your gardener's stocking this Christmas or under their fresh Christmas Tree. Here's my top ten list. 1. Garden Tools. From a hand trowel to a riding lawn mower, gardening tools are guaranteed to please. Consider one of the many time- and work-saving electric lawn or garden products. There are many from which to choose. 2. Garden Accessories. Many unique and interesting objects fall into the garden accessory group. Sculpture for the patio or garden can last for years. Or, you may choose to be more casual, with wind chimes, a bird feeder, flower pots, or hanging baskets. 3. Gardening Books and Magazines. Although the selection of gardening books is wide, choose a book that is adaptable to the recipient's interest. One of the popular monthly gardening magazines will be appreciated throughout the year. I tend to divide gardening books into two categories: reference and general reading. -Reference books are those that are full of useful information - plant encyclopedias and how-to books (about anything from garden design to planting and maintenance to indoor gardening). -General reading books are the ones that you would sit down and read front to back (for instance, a collection of garden writings by Gertrude Jekyll), or flip through (such as a book of botanical paintings by Redoute). 4. Garden Plants. Although seldom considered, outdoor plants can make welcome gifts. The Christmas season is ideal for planting all major trees and shrubs. Heck, indoor plants like tropicals and forced bulbs are another great idea. You might want to consider a pecan or fruit tree for your gardening friend. Select one which will complement the recipient's landscape. Regardless of the choice, plants make a delightful and lasting gift. 5. A Gift Certificate. If all else fails, why not consider slipping a gift certificate into the stocking of the 'green thumber'? Your local nursery or garden center will be most happy to fulfill your wishes here. In fact, there are some shops that I have never been to, because I think they're too expensive, but if someone gave me a gift certificate, I'ld be there in a flash. 6. Things to Make Gardening Life Easier. There are all manner of things on the market now that make life easier for the gardener. On my wish list are: -a good, wide-brimmed hat, with ties so it doesn't blow off on windy days -gloves for every type of task - wet, dry, cold, prickly -a kneeler to make it easier to get up again -a garden cart you can sit on - I have my heart set on the Planter's Wagon, by Ames -knee pads - I highly recommend the ones from Lees Valley Garden Tools. 7. Something To Pull That Great Stuff In. How about a nice carry-all or gardening basket to carry all those tools in, and maybe a tool apron to keep the most frequently used close at hand? Sounds great to me. 8 & 9. 8. Something Bigger and More Expensive to Put That Great Stuff In. They make these great storage bins and storage sheds - I think from companies like Tupperware -- for either gardening stuff or just tools in general. I've seen the best ones at Sears, next to the grills 9. Speaking of Grills. I realize they aren't gardening related, but where would I be without my outdoor grill on my beautiful barkyard paver patio? 10. A Pre-Paid Membership to a Garden Club. A pre-paid membership to a local garden club is another great gift idea. There are so many. African Violet Society, Houston Rose Society, Hibiscus Society, Orchids, Cactus and Succulent, Bonsai etc. etc. etc Until next week, here's to Great Gardening from the GardenLine, heard exclusively weekend mornings from 8 to noon on Talkradio 950 KPRC. ------------------------------------------------------------ Copyright Information ------------------------------------------------------------ Copyright 2001 Clear Channel Interactive List Maintenance: To subscribe-- Send a blank email message to "kprc-epub-text@ev1.net" with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. To unsubscribe-- Send a blank email message to "bobgunner@clearchannel.com" with "Remove Gardenline Tips- Text Only" in the subject line. Online TEXT issue can be found at http://kprcradio.com/listenernewsletter/GardenTalk_11-07-02.txt http://kprcradio.com