The KPRC Radio Gardenline Tip By Randy Lemmon For 12-01-05 Printer-Friendly Version



2005 GardenLine Gift Giving Guide



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 or friends 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. CARTS, PRUNERS, STAINLESS STEEL TOOLS FROM BROOK & HUNTER ETC. I've talked about the Garden Hopper to the best pruning shears to stainless steel and solid oak garden tools, there is something for everyone. The best cart that provides storage is known as the GARDEN HOPPER. There are many types of pruning shears available, and this is definitely in the category of 'YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR'. So, don't hesitate to spend quality money on the best shears for the Gardener in you family. Lastly, the best garden tools such as the one that the Arbor Gate owner (Beverly Welch) gave me as a thank you for the Remote Broadcast we did in May for her Art In The Garden Party. It was a shovel with a stainless steel blade and a solid oak handle. Don't forget too that anything that is a time and work-saving device such as an electric lawn or garden products, can be a good gift too.

    GARDEN HOPPER < http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index%3Dblended%26field-keywords%3Dgarden%20hopper%26results-process%3Ddefault%26dispatch%3Dsearch/ref%3Dpd%5Fsl%5Faw%5Ftops-1%5Fblended%5F8056905%5F2/104-4396671-6935132" >.

    FISKARS < http://www.fiskars.com/Static+Landing >.

    FELCO < http://www.felcostore.com/pruners.jsp >.

    CORONA < http://www.coronaclipper.com/corona/home.jsp >.

  • 2. Garden Art. I wrote an article for a magazine many years ago called "Beyond The Gazing Globe". That meant that there is more unique garden art now than ever before. Lawn jockeys and gazing globes are far surpassed by so much in the copper, brass and stained glass world. Here's a link to many pictures that were from last year's Art in the Garden Party. < http://kprcradio.com/pages/listenernewsletter/GardenTalk_05-05-05.htm >.

  • 3. Gardening Books and Magazines. Okay, this may sound a little self-serving, but I do truly believe that anyone that listens to my radio show deserves to have my new book, Gulf Coast Gardening with Randy Lemmon. More importantly, anyone who is new to Houston, or gardening on the Gulf Coast absolutely must have this book. Beyond that, there are two other books that can really help, plus here's also a list of magazine that make great subscriptions for the gardener in your family.

    GULF COAST GARDENING WITH RANDY LEMMON < http://www.lulu.com/content/144050 >.

    HOME LANDSCAPING TEXAS < http://books.google.com/books?ie=UTF-8&hl=en&id=FLtxEuT_GmUC&pg=PA6&lpg=PA6&dq=HOME+LANDSCAPING+TEXAS&prev=http://books.google.com/books%3Fq%3DHOME%2BLANDSCAPING%2BTEXAS%26lr%3D&sig=uPsQuPIUlyLB3oAC6feH63JCvZE >.

    TEXAS GARDENER (MAGAZINE) < http://www.texasgardener.com/ >.

  • 4. A Tree For the New Home Owner. With so many young couples diving into their first home, those of us who have been through the process know much about being "house poor" upon the purchase of the first house. Thus, spending $500 on a new tree is the farthest thing from the new home owner's mind. Instead of a new TV or DVD player, how 'bout giving someone you love a professionally planted 45 gallon Laurel Oak? Here's two nurseries and one tree service that can help.

    RCW NUSRERIES < http://www.rcwnurseries.com >.

    SHADES OF TEXAS < http://www.shadesoftexas.com >.

    AFFORDABLE TREE SERVICE < http://www.afftree.com >.

  • 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'd be there in a flash.

  • 6. Bionic Gardening Gloves. Much like the discussion of pruning shears, and the "you get what you pay for" department, I think I've stumbled across the best garden gloves and more importantly the "last" garden gloves you'll ever buy. They are known as the Bionic Garden Gloves. I was introduced to them just about one year ago. I consider myself a professional cynic, and didn't believe their claims that this would reduce the feeling of vibration in your hands when using power equipment, and/or reduce the "fatigue" you might feel after using tools such as shovels and hoes. Although they may seem more than twice as expensive as any other gardening glove, these gloves could pay off huge, if they truly are the last garden gloves you'll ever buy.

    BIONIC GARDENING GLOVES < http://www.bionicgloves.com/ >Click Here.

  • 7. Master Gardener Classes. This idea came from a listener and I thought was the best idea of the year (other than my book). So, if you have anyone that is a family or friend that is a die-hard gardener and would like to learn even more about gardening; or if you think it they could truly give back to the community by being a Master Gardener, then the idea of enrolling them into a Master Gardener class makes all the sense in the world.

    HARRIS COUNTY < http://hcmga.tamu.edu/ >.

    MONTGOMERY COUNTY < http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/montgomery/index.html >.

    FORT BEND COUNTY < http://fbmg.com/ >.

    GALVESTON COUNTY < http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.htm >.

  • 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 backyard 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.

    And here's a special deal for the Holiday Gift Giving Season courtesy of me and the new book "Gulf Coast Gardening". From this week until the weekend before Christmas, the online price for my new book is greatly reduced.
  • < http://www.lulu.com/content/144050 >


    If you are a garden retailer interested in stocking this book, please call the Nitro Phos Warehouse for wholesale ordering information. 713-228-1868.



    Until next issue, here's to Great Gardening from the GardenLine, heard exclusively weekend mornings from 8 to noon on Talkradio 950 KPRC.