Forget the fruitcake. Give a gardener what they really crave: an excuse to get their hands dirty.
The Minnesota Horticultural Society staff dug through our favorite gardening books, seeds, tools and more to curate the ultimate gift guide for gardeners of all skill levels, garden sizes and styles. Here are our top gift recommendations for green thumbs.
TOOLS & TECH
1
One Touch Rain Wand
A hardworking classic from Wisconsin, this 30-inch watering wand delivers a gentle shower for even the most delicate plants. Easy, thumb-controlled water flow. Built to last season after season.
BUY FROM DRAMM | $27
1
One Touch Rain Wand
A hardworking classic from Wisconsin, this 30-inch watering wand delivers a gentle shower for even the most delicate plants. Easy, thumb-controlled water flow. Built to last season after season.
BUY FROM DRAMM | $27
2
Soil Knife & Sheath
Dig planting holes, divide small perennials and slice through stubborn roots with one versatile stainless-steel blade. A leather sheath keeps it handy between jobs.
3
Felco 2 Pruners
A lifetime garden tool for any northern gardener. This must-have is not new or flashy, but it works. We love ours.
BUY ONLINE | $87.95
3
Felco 2 Pruners
A lifetime garden tool for any northern gardener. This must-have is not new or flashy, but it works. We love ours.
BUY ONLINE | $87.95
4
Vego Modular Raised Bed
Give next season’s vegetables a home. This 17-inch-tall metal bed assembles in nine configurations to suit different garden spaces.
BUY FROM VEGO | $179.95 for the 9-in-1 kit
5
Cobrahead Weeder & Cultivator
Made in Wisconsin, this curved hand tool loosens soil and works weeds out of tight spaces. Its handle accommodates both left- and right-handed gardeners.
BUY FROM COBRAHEAD | $39
5
Cobrahead Weeder & Cultivator
Made in Wisconsin, this curved hand tool loosens soil and works weeds out of tight spaces. Its handle accommodates both left- and right-handed gardeners.
BUY FROM COBRAHEAD | $39
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.
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.
SEEDS & SUPPLIES
1
Seed-saving kit
Help a curious gardener save more of what they grow. Collection bags, seed envelopes and The Seed Garden book provide supplies and guidance for getting started.
BUY AT SEED SAVERS | $65
1
Seed-saving kit
Help a curious gardener save more of what they grow. Collection bags, seed envelopes and The Seed Garden book provide supplies and guidance for getting started.
BUY FROM SEED SAVERS | $65
2
Seed Storage Tin
Bring order to that growing packet collection. Three roomy compartments and monthly dividers make it easier to organize seeds and plan the next round of sowing.
BUY FROM SEED SAVERS | $40
3
Beginner’s Seed Packet Collection
An approachable introduction to growing natives: six separately packaged species, including purple coneflower and wild bergamot, selected for easy germination.
3
Beginner’s Seed Packet Collection
An approachable introduction to growing natives: six separately packaged species, including purple coneflower and wild bergamot, selected for easy germination.
4
Buckthorn Replacement Mix
Help a gardener reclaim the woods. This native plant mix brings new growth to ground cleared of buckthorn, a practical next step in restoring a healthier woodland.
BUY FROM MNL | $45
5
Microgreen Kitchen Kit
Keep growing when the garden sleeps. This soil-free countertop kit produces fresh, flavorful microgreens in just over a week. Includes five seed packets and everything needed for five harvests.
BUY FROM FARMERYOU | $40
5
Microgreen Kitchen Kit
Keep growing when the garden sleeps. This soil-free countertop kit produces fresh, flavorful microgreens in just over a week. Includes five seed packets and everything needed for five harvests.
BUY FROM FARMERYOU | $40
MORE GIFT IDEAS
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.
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.
BIRDS & BEES
1
Native Planting Yard Sign
Give a growing native garden a little explanation. This weather-resistant aluminum sign helps neighbors recognize the habitat taking shape beyond the sidewalk.
BUY FROM MNL | $27
1
Native Planting Yard Sign
Give a growing native garden a little explanation. This weather-resistant aluminum sign helps neighbors recognize the habitat taking shape beyond the sidewalk.
BUY FROM MNL | $27
2
Nocs Field Issue Binoculars
Bring backyard birds into sharper focus. Waterproof construction, a grippy exterior and a large focus wheel make these binoculars useful companions beyond the garden, too.
BUY AT MOTHER EARTH GARDENS | $180
3
Native Bee House
This compact house includes 15 natural reed and cardboard nesting tubes cut to the expert-recommended 6-inch length. The tubes come in a range of diameters to accommodate different cavity-nesting native bees.
3
Native Bee House
This compact house includes 15 natural reed and cardboard nesting tubes cut to the expert-recommended 6-inch length. The tubes come in a range of diameters to accommodate different cavity-nesting native bees.
4
Pollinator Patchwork Prairie Seed Mix
For the gardener ready to rethink a patch of lawn, this native seed mix offers a fresh way to grow pollinator habitat. Best for use in well-drained loam to sandy soil.
MORE GIFT IDEAS
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.
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!
INDOORS + SMALL SPACES
1
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.
1
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.
2
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.
3
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
Plant stand
For both outdoor (think balconies and decks) and indoor spots, this solid acacia wood stand elevates any houseplant display.
5
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®.
ADVANCED GARDENING
1
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.
1
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.
3
Soil thermometer
Easy to read, this stainless steel thermometer penetrates your soil and compost to the perfect depth.
3
Soil thermometer
Easy to read, this stainless steel thermometer penetrates your soil and compost to the perfect depth.
4
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.
5
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.”
5
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.
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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