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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. I invited Beverly Welch, from The Arbor Gate, this past weekend, to be a guest on the radio program and help remind us of some of the unusual “out-of-the-box” ideas for the GardenLine Gift Guide this year. The following list is not everything, but many of the things we talked about. There is something for nearly everyone in any price range this year as well. Most all of the gifts that are mentioned can be found at many of the Independent Garden Centers you hear me mention week in and week out. But, for this year’s Gift Guide, we have also updated as many links as possible to help you order such gifts (where applicable) via the internet. • Garden Tools. CARTS, PRUNERS, STAINLESS STEEL, and TELESCOPING TOOLS. 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. And the coolest garden tools this year have to be the “telescoping” tools from Wolf Garden Tools. BROOK AND HUNTER GARDEN TOOLS WOLF GARDEN TOOLS GARDEN HOPPER FISKARS FELCO CORONA • 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 quick list of ideas from this past weekend’s show. STAINED GLASS HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS, STAINGLASS BUTTERFLY ART, OUTDOOR COPPER LATERNS, OIL LAMPS MADE OF POTTERY, IRON GAZEBOS, IRON ARBORS & TRELLISES, STONE BENCHES, SWANN SIGNED AND NUMBERED PRINTS, CERAMIC MUSHROOMS. • 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, the best book this year that everyone needs to get for Christmas Gifts is Doug Welsh’s Texas Garden Almanac. Plus, I’ve listed two other books that Ms. Beverly and I talked about this weekend that could be a great compliment to the Houston-gardener’s book stash. Here’s a list of the books we talked about this weekend. Also, remember that many garden centers (especially those that have indoor parts) carry most of these books, in case you want to go and physically buy one. GULF COAST GARDENING WITH RANDY LEMMON If you want a signed copy of my book for the holidays, please read how to get one at this site www.randylemmon.com DOUG WELSH’S TEXAS GARDEN ALMANAC SOUTHERN KITCHEN GARDENING Adams & Leroy TEXAS HOME LANDSCAPING Greg Grant • For the Rose Lover - Any Rose Lover would appreciate you getting them a year’s membership to the Houston Rose Society …. Plus, many of the independent garden centers we mention also carry membership forms at their stores. Plus, a great book for Rose Fanatics is Bill Welch’s Antique Roses for the South. • Garden Gloves -- Any pair from Bionic Gardening Gloves www.bionicgloves.com, but for the Rose Lover and for any gardener in general the Rose Gloves from Bionic are simply the best. Plus, you can use those gloves for so many other things, like Shrimp and Crawfish boils; Deep Frying Turkeys etc. Even thought I have different kinds of pairs of Bionic Gloves, I seem to always use my Bionic Rose Gloves for everything I do in the garden. • Glass Hummingbird Feeders -- These are definitely not for children, but if you have a Hummingbird lover in the house, a glass hummingbird feeder is not only helpful in attracting hummingbirds, but when there are no birds around they function as great garden art. Again, many of the mom-and-pop type nurseries and garden centers carry some version of glass hummingbird feeders if you need one right away, and can’t wait for an internet order to be filled. • 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 NURSERIES SHADES OF TEXAS AFFORDABLE TREE SERVICE • 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. • 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 MONTGOMERY COUNTY FORT BEND COUNTY GALVESTON COUNTY Until next issue, here's to Great Gardening from the GardenLine, heard exclusively, 6-10 a.m. Saturdays and 7-10 a.m. Sundays, only on NewsRadio 740 KTRH. |
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GardenLine Listeners and E-mail Tip Subscribers can purchase a copy of my new book at discounted price!