Gifts for Gardeners

Dear Santa Claus,

How are you? I hope you are well. Did you have a good summer? How is Mrs. Claus? I have been an exceptionally good gardener this year. I pulled weeds before they set seed. I mulched my garden beds. I trimmed away dead, diseased,

Crevice Weeder ©2006

and crossing branches. I removed lawn, enlarged my garden beds and added more plants. Yes, I've tried to do all the things a good gardener should do. I could do an even better job next year if you would be so kind as to place the following gifts under my Christmas tree.

*Root Hook ©2006*

I would no longer need to tussle with pot-bound plants if I had a Root Hook (Under $20.00 from Red Pig Tools). It is ideal for gently teasing roots loose from the root ball, ensuring a healthy start in my garden.

The annoying task of removing weeds from among groundcovers (without uprooting the groundcovers, too) would be so much easier with a Crevice Weeder (Under $25.00 from Red Pig Tools). This remarkable instrument pulls weeds, roots and all, quickly and easily. This tool and the above are made from quality materials by Bob Denman, Red Pig Tools.

*Bosbag*

I'd love a Bosbag (under $25.00) to collect my garden's weeds, deadheads and other detritus. Bosbag, made of durable, lightweight, coated polyethylene, has two handles for easy lifting and toting to the compost pile or yard debris bin. It pops open to stand 18 inches tall with a 22-inch-square opening and folds flat for storage.

A garden buddy and I could easily heft large containers, rocks, root balls and other heavy objects with the PotLifter (Under $30.00). The straps adjust easily to fit around even the most awkward object up to 24 inches in diameter. It has a rated capacity of 200 pounds, even though it weighs less than 2 pounds. It comes with a handy bright red storage tote. What a wonderful way to avoid back strain!

*Potlifter*

When the weather is too cold, wet and gloomy for gardening, my plant cravings can be satisfied with a number of wonderful garden books, including some excellent new releases from Timber Press. To feed my nerdy, knowledge-seeking side, I'd enjoy Armitage's Native Plants for North American Gardens by Allan M. Armitage (Under $50.00, hardcover), Insects and Gardens: In Pursuit of a Garden Ecology by Eric Grissell Under $20.00, paperback) and The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting & Pruning Techniques (Expanded Edition) by Tracy DiSabato-Aust (Under $35.00, hardcover). The eye-candy inspiration found in the pages of Thomas Hobb's The Jewel Box Garden (Under $25.00, paperback) would be perfect for garden dreaming. (Santa, if you would purchase these from Amazon through Rainy Side's link, I'd be grateful for your support of our website.)

A cheery container from Bread and Budder Buckets would be a delightful way to keep my new books close at hand by my favorite chair. I'd be happy with any of the wonderful styles clothed in botanic-inspired fabrics with a water-resistant finish.

And lastly, dear Santa, I'd adore a garden-inspired necklace crafted by Foster Hall Design. Each creation begins with a garden leaf, preserved in glorious detail in polymer clay, and enhanced with Swarovski crystals and beads of natural stone, pearls, sterling silver and other metals. One of those book hooks would also be nice (hint, hint).

Thank you, Santa!

Sincerely,
Lisa Albert

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