Do you need an off-season gift for a gardener with not only a green thumb, but an environmentally friendly, green lifestyle as well? Luckily gardening and green living go hand in hand and there are several must have gifts that are perfect for any green gardener year-round.
Rain Collection Barrel. Lush, green gardens require a lot of non, green-friendly watering. Help your gardening friend by giving a unique rain collection barrel. Be sure to take care in the selection of the barrel or container. While the idea is environmentally friendly, not all rain collection barrel manufacturers and materials are green approved. With research, there are several green, unique rain collection containers, like the ones fashioned from reclaimed wine barrels by the Barrel Depot.
Compost Bin. Compost bins are another perfect gift for green-friendly gardeners. Not only do the bins help gardeners make use of compostable home waste, but they allow gardeners to create rich, wonderful compost for their gardens. Compost bins are available in a variety of styles and designs. As with rain collection barrels, not all compost bin manufacturers have green records. If a commercial bin, like the ComposT-Twin does not fit the recipient’s style, handy gift givers may opt to build an open compost bin instead.
Subscription to an Online Garden Journal or Planner. Does your favorite gardener have a massive pile of papers, magazine clippings, seed packets and photos overtaking a disorganized scrapbook? It may be time to go paperless with garden journaling and planning. Websites like Plant Jotter offer online storage options for ideas, garden plans, photos, products, task lists and more while giving planting tips and design ideas. Site membership rates apply to many online garden planners, making them a gift idea that a gardener may not buy for him or herself.
Guide to Native Plants. Even avid gardeners benefit from a geographic guidebook to native plants. This is especially true if she has recently moved to a new planting zone, or moved from an apartment to a landscaped home, or to a home with little gardening space. A basic guide to local, native plants helps the green gardener take the guesswork out of planting a new garden–or maintaining an existing one.
Give a Gardening Society Membership. Skip those “garden of the month clubs” and spring for a legitimate membership to a club such as the American Horticultural Society or the recipient’s state horticultural society. With membership dues, members gain access to a wealth of resources, gardening events and activities.
