Some say the best holiday gifts come in small packages.
Others prefer them by the
truckload.

A University of Georgia
scientist said a truckload of
manure — or compost or topsoil — isn’t a bad idea for an
avid gardener.

“For hard-to-buy-for people, holiday gift-giving can be a
chore. You’re in luck,
though, if you have gardeners to buy for,” said Wayne
McLaurin, a horticulturist with the UGA College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

“There’s always something new, or coveted, in the
gardening world,” McLaurin
said. “And there are plenty of places to find them.”

Gardening is the No. 1 hobby in the United States. And
whether interests lie in flowers
or trees, vegetables, fruits or houseplants, new equipment
and cultivars appear almost
monthly.

“Many of the new plants coming out are excellent,”
McLaurin said. “A
Georgia release that comes to mind, called ‘Honeycomb,’ is a
butterfly bush (Buddleia)
that has nice yellow flowers and attracts butterflies.”

If you can’t find the plant your gardener wants, get a
gift certificate. Most gardeners
have patience to wait for just the right plant. And gift
ideas don’t stop with flowers.

“Don’t forget about containers to put them in,” McLaurin
said. “Clay,
ceramic, brushed metal and plastic baskets all make nice
gifts.”

If you buy a potted plant and a container, remember the
plants’ need for drainage.
“Leave the plants in the uglier plastic pots,” McLaurin
said, “and set them
down in the decorative containers. Don’t forget to buy a
plastic liner to catch
runoff.”

If you don’t want to give a living plant, or you need to
mail the gift, many gardening
catalogs will mail direct.

“Gardeners never get enough tools,” McLaurin
promised. “There are
shovels and trowels, rakes and hoses. Drip irrigation sets,
or outdoor lighting kits,
solar lights, stepping stones, soaker hoses and mulching
machines abound.”

If you’re shopping for a major gardening gift, this is a
good time of year to buy weed
whackers, lawn mowers, tillers, wheel barrows and edgers.

Hand tools for weeding, raking and planting make good
stocking stuffers.

“Recycling and composting are popular among gardeners,”
McLaurin said.
“Start your gardener off with a variety of compost bins. The
larger ones will work
best. For the experienced composter, consider compost
thermometers, turners, test kits and
sieves.”

If gardening gadgets are taking over, look at some
storage components, from storage
benches to shelves or tool racks. Outdoor models come in
many sizes, from big enough for a
few tools to those that can house a tractor.

Gardening and nature go hand-in-hand. What about bird
feeders and bird houses? Then
there are bat houses, butterfly houses and even toad abodes
to shelter the frogs and toads
that visit your garden. Ladybug homes and bee hives can add
even more to your garden.

Other great gardening gifts:

• Decorative items like statuaries, fountains, bird
  baths, garden sculpture or ornamental
  trellises and archways.
• Patio furniture: garden benches, tables, shelves,
  umbrellas, potting benches, kneeling
  benches, work stools and rolling carts.
• Books on every aspect of gardening: technical manuals,
  decorative tabletop books, garden
  journals — or try a subscription to one of the many
  gardening magazines.
• Clothing: a garden apron, work pants, garden smock,
  tool vest or belt, gloves to fit all
  jobs, waterproof garden shoes and boots, rain suits, bug
  suits (with protective bug
  netting) and all kinds of hats are sure to please.

Still can’t decide?

“Most garden centers are as ready for holiday shoppers as
malls are,”
McLaurin said. “Even if you aren’t an experienced gardener,
experts will be on hand
to help you pick the right gift for the gardener in your
life. And if all else fails,
remember that load of manure.”