Find the perfect gift for every gardener on your list
in our curated staff picks.
.
Please Note: A number of the products featured here are from local suppliers and ship locally; please allow enough time for delivery before the holidays. All other gift items are from our Amazon Affiliate storefront. As an Amazon Affiliate, Northern Gardener earns a small commission from qualifying purchases through Amazon that we put directly back into our outreach programs, ensuring that part of your money spent there still ends up in our community. You may earn more about the Amazon Affiliate program here.
FOR BUDDING GARDENERS
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Plant journal
A plant journal is the perfect way for a new gardener to get to know their plants. Featuring space to record details about plant care, health and growth, it’s a valuable guide to understand plants and build a thriving garden—indoor or out!
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Plant journal
A plant journal is the perfect way for a new gardener to get to know their plants. Featuring space to record details about plant care, health and growth, it’s a valuable guide to understand plants and build a thriving garden—indoor or out!
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Gardening bibs
“These overalls are my favorite thing to wear while gardening!” says Northern Gardener intern Netanya. “Big pockets all over and REAL cute.”
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Tool set
Like any traditional tool kit parents have passed down to generations of their young adult children, this gardening set from Gardtech offers the greatest introduction to the range of tools your new gardener will need for success.
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Tool set
Like any traditional tool kit parents have passed down to generations of their young adult children, this gardening set from Gardtech offers the greatest introduction to the range of tools your new gardener will need for success.
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Sleeks garden gloves
Gardeners are known for their unique love of getting their hands dirty. But no gardener really enjoys getting their hands poked or scratched by thorns or gummed up by sap. These gloves are perfect for protecting your new gardener’s hands as they get out and play. Plus, supplier Brent and Becky’s Bulbs donates a portion of every purchase to MSHS!
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Plant labels
A gardener forgetting what they planted where happens often enough that it still inspires hilarious new memes at the start of each growing season. That may be due to how most plant tags disrupt the quaint, natural look gardeners are going for. Give your new gardener the edge with these stylish plant tags that enhance the aesthetic of their beautiful new garden.
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Plant labels
A gardener forgetting what they planted where happens often enough that it still inspires hilarious new memes at the start of each growing season. That may be due to how most plant tags disrupt the quaint, natural look gardeners are going for. Give your new gardener the edge with these stylish plant tags that enhance the aesthetic of their beautiful new garden.
MORE GIFT IDEAS
Gardening knee pads
Every seasoned gardener knows: the more you can protect your knees, the longer into life you can continue to garden. Ensure your new gardener has this protection from the start with these comfortable—and, more importantly, waterproof—knee pads they can wear for many years to come.
Gardening 101 course
Give the gift of garden education from our Northern Gardener school to help your new gardener learn more about important topics like soil health and veggie growing. Just choose the ‘send as a gift’ option when checking out to enter your recipient’s email address for redemption.
Portable trellis
The new gardener in your life didn’t get started on their adventure because they like to play things safe. Instead, they’re looking to try new things—like growing food vertically! This adorable, lightweight trellis is perfect for a first-time attempt at giving a new garden some additional layers and depth.
FOR SUSTAINABLE GARDENERS
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Yard sign
Now available for delivery! Our popular signs provide new and seasoned native gardeners the chance to put their commitment to a native landscape on full display and nudge neighbors to join the growing movement. Many of our members asked how they could get their hands on this item—and now you can! Designed and printed locally.
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Yard sign
Now available for delivery! Our popular signs provide new and seasoned native gardeners the chance to put their commitment to a native landscape on full display and nudge neighbors to join the growing movement. Many of our members asked how they could get their hands on this item—and now you can! Designed and printed locally.
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Prairie Moon Nursery seed packets
Take the guesswork out of which native seed packets to plant together with these thoughtfully curated collections from Prairie Moon Nursery out of Winona, MN. Each grouping comes with 6 packets based on your native gardener’s quest, such as redoing a boulevard, creating a living fence or avoiding deer nibbling.
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Seed storage organizer
Jealous of all your crafty friends’ organizers? Now you can have one of your very own with this seed storage book designed purely for saving new or opened native seed packets year to year.
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Seed storage organizer
Jealous of all your crafty friends’ organizers? Now you can have one of your very own with this seed storage book designed purely for saving new or opened native seed packets year to year.
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Dramm stainless steel pruner
Every native gardener needs a trusty pruner, and this one came with the most praise from those we asked. It’s great for removing woody stalks in the spring and for deadheading to extend the short bloom window of native plants. With proper maintenance, it’ll last your native gardener many good years of growing.
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Bee cups
A plant journal is the perfect way for a new gardener to get to know their plants. Featuring space to record details about plant care, health and growth, it’s a valuable guide to understand plants and build a thriving garden—indoor or out!
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Bee cups
A plant journal is the perfect way for a new gardener to get to know their plants. Featuring space to record details about plant care, health and growth, it’s a valuable guide to understand plants and build a thriving garden—indoor or out!
MORE GIFT IDEAS
Compost tea brew kit
Gardeners already know the powers of compost, aka “black gold”, in their landscape. Compost tea is a byproduct of the composting process that’s every bit as powerful during yearly applications on a lawn or native garden bed. Pair with Compost Tea for Healthy Plants on Bookshop.org for the ultimate step-by-step guide.
Seed blocker
This seed block maker has changed the game for early season native seed starters everywhere. This well-constructed device ensures your sustainable gardener turns what used to be a messy, discouraging task filled with plastic trays and pots into one they’ll be looking forward to as soon as the snow begins to melt outside.
Mason bee house
Did you know that many of the pollinators that visit native gardens live solitary lives very close to their food source? This mason bee house is a perfect addition to any native garden with its natural yet eye-drawing design—for both bees and people! And when maintained, it’s durable enough to last many generations of solitary bees.
FOR URBAN FARMERS
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Punny t-shirts
A bountiful vegetable garden is just one way for an urban farmer or community gardener to show off. Another is the fun t-shirt collection available on our shop that remain a hit year after year at the Minnesota State Fair.
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Punny t-shirts
A bountiful vegetable garden is just one way for an urban farmer or community gardener to show off. Another is the fun t-shirt collection available on our shop that remain a hit year after year at the Minnesota State Fair.
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Herb cutters
Now any urban farmer can enjoy professionally sliced green onions at home in no time with this fun and functional herb scissors. Anything that helps with spending less time prepping and more time noshing will go a long away as a gift idea.
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Garden hat
From garden to garden party, these stunning straw hats are a favorite option to address both style and sun protection.
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Garden hat
From garden to garden party, these stunning straw hats are a favorite option to address both style and sun protection.
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Harvest apron
Harvesting is hard work. Make it more fun and functional for your urban farmer with this stylish, durable apron.
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Turtle Island by Sean Sherman
Chef Sean Sherman is a favorite guide of many urban farmers and food growers looking to connect with the land and harvest more responsibly from it. From the book jacket, “Learn to eat with the seasons, consume meat and fish nose-to-tail, focus on plant-forward dishes, and discover how to better feed yourself.”
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Turtle Island by Sean Sherman
Chef Sean Sherman is a favorite guide of many urban farmers and food growers looking to connect with the land and harvest more responsibly from it. From the book jacket, “Learn to eat with the seasons, consume meat and fish nose-to-tail, focus on plant-forward dishes, and discover how to better feed yourself.”
MORE GIFT IDEAS
Harvest crate
A favorite of Northern Gardener magazine contributor and Minnesota-based food-growing expert Meg Cowden, this basket is as beautiful as it is functional. “What’s nice about a wire basket is that you can rinse fruits and vegetables off IN it.”
Hydroponic gardening system
Your urban farmer can grow small herbs and vegetables all year round with this Rainpoint hydroponic gardening system. They’ll know exactly where their food is coming from with easy operation and daily education along the way. P.S. Want to boost their hydroponic growing IQ? Check out one of these books from our friend, Larry Cippola, over at our Bookshop!
Seed Savers membership
Our friends down in Decorah, Iowa offer yearly memberships to food gardeners for access to heirloom vegetable and flower seeds, reciprocal admission to gardens across the country and member meetup groups. Pair it with a gift membership to the Minnesota Horticultural Society and your urban farmer will be able to save on an annual membership through our Discount Partner program.
FOR INDOOR + SMALL SPACE GARDENERS
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Indoor watering can
Houseplants add so much style to a home, so why water them with something less than gorgeous? This stylish mini watering can for indoor plants is the perfect marriage of design and performance. The slender spout is perfect for delivering water just where it’s needed – and nowhere else.
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Indoor watering can
Houseplants add so much style to a home, so why water them with something less than gorgeous? This stylish mini watering can for indoor plants is the perfect marriage of design and performance. The slender spout is perfect for delivering water just where it’s needed – and nowhere else.
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IKEA greenhouse
This white greenhouse is ideal for small plants and herbs, indoors or outdoors. No green fingers? Fill it with souvenirs or your tough cactus collection instead.
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Self-watering birdies
Worry-free watering for houseplants! Frequent travelers and forgetful plant parents can rely on these cute watering globes to keep indoor plants hydrated and happy.
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Self-watering birdies
Worry-free watering for houseplants! Frequent travelers and forgetful plant parents can rely on these cute watering globes to keep indoor plants hydrated and happy.
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Toadstool propagation station
These beautifully crafted glass mushroom vases are undoubtedly a great choice for plant lovers, mushroom lover, gardeners, green thumbs, and novelty vase enthusiasts.
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Plant stand
For both outdoor (think balconies and decks) and indoor spots, this solid acacia wood stand elevates any houseplant display.
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Plant stand
For both outdoor (think balconies and decks) and indoor spots, this solid acacia wood stand elevates any houseplant display.
MORE GIFT IDEAS
Microgreens kit
Many new food gardeners we talk to mention how much they love supplementing meals with microgreens—not only because it provides a healthy boost to salads and pastas, but because it’s also a fun, interactive growing experience! This kit in particular provides a sustainable way to grow microgreens in a beautifully decorated frame.
Kitchen compost bin
Help your indoor food grower complete their sustainable gardening cycle with this attractive and functional countertop compost bin. Nothing will bring them more joy than the act of being able to turn this year’s kitchen scraps into next year’s soil.
Coffee table book
Check out our Bookshop.org store for lists of our favorite gardening and horticultural books, including titles featured in the latest issue of Northern Gardener®.
FOR EXPERT GARDENERS
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Hori Hori knife
Digging out weeds or planting new perennials during a drought? Nothing cuts through hardened ground like this knife. It’s the ultimate garden multitasker. With both serrated and straight-edge blades, this stainless steel weeding knife is a fantastic gardening and landscaping tool.
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Hori Hori knife
Digging out weeds or planting new perennials during a drought? Nothing cuts through hardened ground like this knife. It’s the ultimate garden multitasker. With both serrated and straight-edge blades, this stainless steel weeding knife is a fantastic gardening and landscaping tool.
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Cultivator garden tool
Ergonomically designed for digging, edging and planting, CobraHead has been a long-time gardener favorite. Now, this gardener-designed tool made right in Wisconsin comes in a long-handled version.
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Soil thermometer
Easy to read, this stainless steel thermometer penetrates your soil and compost to the perfect depth.
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Soil thermometer
Easy to read, this stainless steel thermometer penetrates your soil and compost to the perfect depth.
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Hanging propagation station
As cute as it is functional, this 3-tier prop stop is perfect for even the teensiest of spaces. Put your primo cuttings on full display in this retro wooden frame and hemp rope wall-hanging.
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Raised garden bed
Northern gardening pro Mary Lahr Schier says, “I really like my planter box from Gardener’s Supply. It’s held up great through two seasons and looks good on the deck.”
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Raised garden bed
Northern gardening pro Mary Lahr Schier says, “I really like my planter box from Gardener’s Supply. It’s held up great through two seasons and looks good on the deck.”
MORE GIFT IDEAS
Outdoor cold frame
Ask any northern gardener, and they’ll tell you their cold frame is essential for extending our short growing window in the upper Midwest. This wooden cold frame offers the ideal growing environment for late-season crops by essentially giving your urban farmer a portable greenhouse that isn’t also an eyesore in the back yard.
Climbing flower trellis
Our most trustworthy gardeners tell us this trellis was lightweight, easy to put together and stood up to the weather. Stack together for the perfect privacy fence!
Canning jars
You can’t be a true at-home food grower without also being a food preserver, especially if your seed packets are bigger than your stomach! These Ball jars are the tried and tested favorite of food preservers everywhere, providing a timeless look to a functional tool.
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