Every year, the quest for the perfect gifts for gardeners resurfaces, often leading to predictable and uninspired choices. It’s easy to fall into the trap of gifting generic items, but for those who are passionate about gardening, the most appreciated presents are often the most practical and reliable tools. After years of cultivating gardens and testing countless gadgets, it becomes clear that true gardening essentials are those you depend on season after season. Forget fleeting trends and gimmicky новинки; let’s delve into a selection of tried-and-true gear that any gardener will genuinely value.
My go-to pruning companions are undoubtedly ARS needle-nose snips, or fruit pruners. Have you ever struggled with regular pliers when a delicate needle-nose tool was truly needed? Or exerted unnecessary effort on a simple task? I’ll admit, my expensive, brand-name pruning shears often sit idle these days. Instead, for a multitude of tasks, I reach for what are sometimes known as grape scissors or needle-nosed fruit pruners, specifically those crafted by ARS. Traditional bypass pruning shears can weigh around 8 or 9 ounces (224 to 252 grams), while fruit pruners are feather-light at approximately 4 ounces (110 grams). Why burden your hand with unnecessary weight? These snips are available in durable carbon steel or corrosion-resistant stainless steel.
Just as I favor snips over heavy shears for lighter tasks, I grew weary of straining myself with unsuitable tools when tackling slightly thicker branches. My bulky, 10-inch longer and significantly heavier lopper now rarely sees daylight since I acquired the ARS 19-inch Vineyard Lopper (model LPB-20S). Weighing a mere 1.8 pounds and measuring just 19 inches, it’s a game-changer. Finding the shorter length model has become challenging recently, but a source has been located. Felco also offers a lightweight option, the vineyard lopper 201-40. My third indispensable pruning tool, also from ARS, is the 4-foot lightweight long-reach pruner. This tool is invaluable for those high-reach cuts, eliminating the need for a ladder in many situations.
For bird enthusiasts, the Brome brand stands out for crafting superior bird feeders. Their Squirrel Buster line, available in various sizes, truly lives up to its name. When a squirrel of considerable weight attempts to access the feeder, the seed ports cleverly close, denying them entry. Beyond squirrel deterrence, these feeders excel at preserving seed freshness and dryness thanks to a patented ventilation system integrated into their design. A crucial tip: position feeders at least 10 feet away from any potential squirrel launching points. Employ metal baffles on feeder poles to further thwart their persistent efforts. Audubon recommends both wraparound style baffles and torpedo (canister) style baffles for effective squirrel control. Remember, squirrels are nothing if not persistent, and their attempts will be ongoing.
During a fall garlic planting session with a friend, I noticed a distinct advantage as we progressed towards the center of a long, multi-row bed. The Sneeboer flower bed trowel (pictured above) proved to be a superior tool compared to standard garden trowels. Its moderately sized, beautifully scooped stainless steel blade effortlessly cuts through the soil, making planting a breeze. The handle is expertly shaped for comfortable handling, and a longer bulb-handle version is also available. Explore the full range of Sneeboer trowels at Garden Tool Company.
For tighter planting spaces, the Sneeboer Great Dixter model offers a slightly narrower blade. Even more slender options exist, ideal for tasks like dandelion removal.
A versatile tool that functions as a trowel, weeder, divider, and all-around gardening workhorse is my stainless hori-hori Japanese weeding knife by Nisaku. My original hori-hori, not being stainless steel, showed its age with rust despite its durability. The stainless steel version (pictured above) elevates this already exceptional tool, making it especially adept at tackling weeds in tight cracks and crevices inaccessible to trowels. While plastic-handled models are available, I prefer the classic wooden grip.
In the realm of watering, everyone who visits the garden seems to covet my super-lightweight, drinking-water-safe, beautiful hose. Heavy, kinking traditional hoses became a thing of the past a decade ago when I discovered Water Right Inc.’s made-in-America hoses, crafted by a family business in Oregon. Available in various colors (olive is a personal favorite, as pictured) and three diameters, each in lengths from 25 to 100 feet: the 400 Series (7/16-inch diameter), 500 Series (½-inch diameter, delivering approximately 25 percent more water than the 400), and 600 Series (5/8-inch, providing another 25 percent water increase). For smaller spaces like terraces, a coiled version is also available.
My preference for garden footwear leans towards ankle-height boots, typically in classic black. I consistently intend to reserve a pristine pair for occasions requiring a slightly more polished appearance, keeping them free from mud. However, the garden’s allure often wins, and soon every pair resembles my work-worn collection (along with trouser knees, gloves, and everything else… alas). Unfortunately, like my beloved tip bag and edger, favorite models inevitably cease production. This has led me back to my original garden boots from years ago: the Hunter brand. Their ankle-height Chelsea boots come in a rainbow of colors (the red pair pictured is particularly tempting).
Much like Linus and his blanket, my trusty tip bag accompanies me everywhere in the garden. This debris-collecting tool, initially unexpected to become a favorite, has surpassed my years of relying on bushel baskets and wheelbarrows. Bushel baskets have become harder to find, and the wheelbarrow proves impractical in certain areas of my uneven garden. Hence, the tip bag is my constant companion for tasks such as:
- Edging: neatly trimming turf where the lawn meets garden beds.
- Weeding: efficiently collecting unwanted plants.
- Deadheading: gathering spent blooms.
- Pruning or raking leaves: While a tarp is often more suitable for larger volumes of branches or fallen leaves, and I keep various tarp sizes on hand, the tip bag is perfect for smaller pruning jobs.
Over time, I’ve worn out several tip bags, but generally, they are remarkably resilient. Bosmere was my long-trusted brand, but many of their models have become scarce in the U.S. recently. The more upright, beer-can-shaped versions (like a giant beer can) are still available, as is the square model (a favorite of my friend Ken Druse’s favorite Bosmere model, pictured above). However, the basic XL round bags with lower sides (pictured below with my preferred rake) are less readily available.
Regarding rakes, I’ve previously lamented the decline of bamboo rakes and expressed my aversion to plastic tines. However, the Yard Butler LT-20 rake has changed my perspective. The Yard Butler features 20 steel tines arranged in an 18-inch wide fan, providing ample strength for demanding tasks. What truly sets it apart is the springiness of the tines. Their flexibility enables me to work around shrubs and perennials, effectively removing debris without causing damage to plants.
While more elaborate and stylish garden gloves exist, I’ve relied on nitrile-coated gloves by Atlas in basic black for years. I own numerous pairs and even wash them in the washing machine (avoiding the dryer). They are remarkably durable, lasting for years, with the exception of my tendency to eventually wear through the middle finger of the right hand. Perhaps I shouldn’t dig with my hands, but old habits die hard.
For weather-conscious gardeners, Johnny’s Selected Seeds’ acrylic rain gauge is a wonderful stocking stuffer (pictured below from Johnny’s website). Priced at $8, it’s a reliable, low-tech weather companion. On the higher-tech and pricier end, a digital weather station is another excellent option. The Davis Vantage Vue, positioned on a pole overlooking the backyard, wirelessly transmits real-time temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation data to a console inside the house. Gifting one to my brother-in-law sparked a shared passion, with him and his neighbor installing it on their property line and both becoming equally captivated by weather monitoring.
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