A Gardener's Wish List

It’s (almost) December again. The time for cozy get-togethers, the warmth of the fireplace or fire pit, festive (Christmas) lights, spending time together, AND, of course, the time for gifts! Now that the holidays are approaching again, the inevitable question is: What would you like to get?

Of course, it’s no different for gardeners. Still, many people find it difficult to buy something specifically for us as gardening enthusiasts. Not everyone is familiar with the world of gardening…

Do you have a friend, acquaintance, or family member who really loves gardening, but you're not sure what to get them? With these tips, you can't go wrong:

Our Wish List: 11 Gifts That Will Make Any Gardener Happy!

A beautiful gardening book

There are countless beautiful and excellent gardening books that are definitely worth reading! These include both Dutch and English gardening books, by well-known and lesser-known authors, garden designers, and gardeners. While plant guides and catalogs may increasingly be replaced by online plant guides and websites, there’s certainly still plenty of room for books on (sustainable) gardening and garden design. For us, the mix of practical tips and beautiful photos is still a good reason to hold off on turning on the computer for a little while longer. Our favorites are Gardening with Monty Don, the New Small Garden and the English-language Encyclopedia of Garden Design from the RHS.

A good pair of pruning shears

Gardening without pruning shears is almost unthinkable… That’s why a pair of pruning shears is always a good idea, even if you already have one or more. After all, you might not yet have a pair of pruning shears specifically for extra-thick branches, or for precision work… It’s important, however, that your pruning shears are of good quality, so that they create clean cuts and, ideally, last a long time. Good brands include, for example, Felco, ARS, Okatsune and Fiskars. But Gardena's newer line is also a pleasure to use.

A pair of sturdy gardening gloves

Especially in the winter, it’s sometimes nice to wear gardening gloves. With a sturdy, slightly thicker pair of gloves, you can easily handle most tasks, and you won’t have to worry about cold fingers when doing (more extensive) pruning in the winter. For more delicate work, a pair of thinner gardening gloves is definitely a good choice. These gloves are usually a bit less stiff, but they don’t last nearly as long. Gardening Gloves They come in all colors and feature many fun designs and prints.

Stylish plant labels

Have you sown or propagated a lot of plants? If so, it’s important to label your plants properly. Especially at the beginning, it’s hard to tell which plants are which, let alone recognize the right color. With attractive and stylish plant labels Finish up your seedlings and cuttings. You definitely won’t need to hide or set aside your plant labels anymore! With a waterproof marker, you’ll be able to label each plant correctly.

A bag of (organic) potting soil or compost

We’re always short on soil here… Sound familiar? Whether you’re sowing seeds, taking cuttings, potting up, repotting, transplanting, or planting, you can always use some (organic) potting soil. In the fall and spring, you can add a thick layer of compost mulch to your garden. Because of the limited garden space, we’re always running short on compost from our own compost bin. It’s ideal to supplement this with good (organic) compost.

A flexible tub or basket

If you want to garden neatly, or if (like us) you're always short on space when gardening, it's helpful to use a flexible tub or basket. It’s perfect for scooping up soil when landscaping your garden, tossing weeds into it while weeding, or carrying your gardening supplies to your community garden. The advantage of a flexible container is that it takes up very little space when not in use. A foldable bucket or garden waste bag is a good alternative.

Beautiful plant supports

Do you also have bamboo sticks scattered all over your garden during the growing season? After all, many plants benefit from a little support. But wouldn't it be nicer to use stylish plant supports, which look beautiful and neat on their own in your garden or flower bed? This way, you can provide your plants with enough support at the right time, without making them look cluttered or less attractive.

Large watering can

A good (and large) watering can is indispensable in the garden. Of course, you can also use a sprinkler, but by using a watering can, you can water very precisely and focus only on the plants that really need it (for now). For example, new plantings, young plants, and potted plants. Be sure to choose a large watering can, for example, 12–20 liters, so the watering can doesn’t run out right away. Make no mistake: New plants, shrubs, and trees need plenty of water to take root properly! Even plants and trees that (once established) can withstand drought well…

Gardening Clogs

A set gardening clogs For us, they’re the perfect solution for quickly heading out to the garden. They’re always right here next to the back door, and you can slip right into them. Before you know it, you’re out there enjoying some gardening. Of course, you can opt for real wooden clogs, but despite our Frisian roots, we personally prefer leather gardening clogs—or plastic ones. They’re often just a little more comfortable.

A birdhouse, insect hotel, bee hotel, or butterfly house

It's also always fun to have a birdhouse, insect hotel, bee hotel, or butterfly house. Personally, we don’t like structures that are too flashy or colorful little houses; we prefer birdhouses and insect hotels that look a bit more natural or rustic. You often have a pretty good idea of what someone likes—or at least what they don’t like. More space for nature and animals in the garden is, of course, always a good thing!

A gift certificate for a local garden center or online garden store

Are you really still unsure what to get someone? Keep in mind that a gift card from a fun or local garden center or a good online garden store is always a welcome gift. It might just be the push someone needs to treat themselves to that one new plant they’ve been wanting for so long!

Do you already know what you'd like to get in December?

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