Looking for a gift for your favorite gardener? Or maybe someone needs gift ideas for you! The items below are ones that I swear by in my garden and use all the time. With prices in multiple ranges, there is sure to be something for anyone's budget. I've included links to some of the brands I love (some are affiliate links, others not) and will continue to add to this list as I discover new favorites!
Hori Hori knife
This Japanese multi-purpose knife is a absolute workhorse in the garden. Hori Hori roughly translates into “dig dig” and it certainly does that and more. With a slightly concave blade for digging, the knife features one serrated edge and one smooth cutting edge. The 7” blade has measurement markings, helpful for measuring the depth of a planting hole and the width between plants.
I started with an inexpensive plastic-handled version like this Fiskars Big Grip Garden Knife. It has all the features you might need, but on a budget. It's functional and certainly gets the job done.
I upgraded mine this year to this one from Truly Garden and I can't say enough about it!
It has a solid steel blade all the way through the hardwood handle. This version has a nylon sheath with a pouch for the included sharpening stone. I've used this thing non-stop in my garden for all types of tasks and it still looks new.
They also offer one with a leather sheath. This nice little upgrade also includes a pouch for the upgraded sharpening rod.
Both versions have clear markings for measurements in both inches and centimeters. Very handy!
Mini Greenhouse
I have enjoyed these little greenhouses so much in my garden this year, they’re on my own wish list! I’ve used them all fall to protect my late crops from frost and after adding frost cloth inside them, they’ve done a great job at protecting from hard freezes, too. We’ve gotten as low as 17F overnights thus far and they’ve done really well. I plan on getting more to add to the beds for getting a jump on planting in the spring.
The originals I found at Aldi, but they were only available for a limited time – I wish I’d grabbed more than the four I did! I’ve found some comparable ones on Amazon in a range of designs and prices.
This Gardzen Mini Greenhouse is most similar to what I’m currently using, though slightly narrower.
I’m leaning toward this one for my longer raised beds and my in-ground spaces.
I would suggest adding some landscape fabric staples or some other way to secure them into the ground. One of the benefits is they are lightweight, but that also means they are subject to being lifted by the wind. So be prepared to stake them down.
Bucket Organizer
I created one of these out of a tool belt wrapped around a five-gallon bucket. It’s worked really, really well for me but often slides down the side because it’s not designed for that use. So now I need to get one that’s actually meant to be a tool organizer on a bucket.
This has come in very handy when I need to carry tools back and forth into the garden but also need larger space available for carrying rolls of trellis or need to haul a harvest back to the house. I’ve been eyeballing this one from Bucket Boss. It wraps around the outside of the bucket like the way I have mine set up right now and leaves the center of the bucket open for carrying whatever I need.
But, when I was ordering my Hori Hori from Truly Garden, I saw they have a 2-gallon version! This interests me because I’ve found the 5-gallon bucket gets really heavy and awkward. Plus, I’m always breaking the little plastic protector on the wire handle, which causes the handle to start digging into my hand. Truly Garden fixed that with their version, which has its own canvas handles.
And, rather than wrapping around the outside of the bucket, this organizer is more like a bag the bucket slides into. It also has a rubberized liner, which makes me think I could use it without the bucket if I don’t need it.
Garden Boots
A must-have for any gardener is proper footwear. I have multiple pairs depending on the weather: one calf-high, one clog, and one ankle-high. They all get used in rotation and it’s good to have a backup when one pair gets really muddy or there’s a mishap with a hose and my feet get soaked!
My favorites are from Slogger. I most recently purchased two pair in March of 2021 and even with the daily grind I put them through, they are still in great condition with no wear marks. And they’re waterproof! They come in lots of fun colors and patterns but also have solid colors if that’s not your style.
I have these chicken calf-high ones and opted for clogs in the “Fresh Cut Blue” pattern, and I love them!
Garden Gloves
I firmly believe every gardener should have MULTIPLE pairs of garden gloves in multiple thicknesses and for different uses.
I have at least one heavy-duty pair for protecting my hands when using shovels, rakes, weeders, or anything else that’s going to rub and possibly give blisters. Not only do these protect my hands but it means those gloves don’t wear through as quickly since I use them specific for those tasks only. Since they last longer, I'm willing to spend a little more on some good-quality, heavy-duty work gloves.
Wells Lamont are my go-to for heavy duty gloves that can be strapped closed at the wrist, rather than just slip on. They are also very affordable.
I also have two pair of waterproof or water-resistant gloves. These are especially helpful for working in very wet or muddy conditions for an extended period of time. One of them is a lightweight pair for normal use and one of them is lined for when it’s much colder out. There's nothing worse than getting into a rhythm in the garden in early spring only to have to stop what you’re doing because your gloves are soaked and it’s cold so now your hands are frozen, and you have to go in and warm them up.
This pair from Wells Lamont is my choice for insulated and water resistant.
This pair is fully waterproof and insulated for really cold working days! They are super warm, and I've even used them to work in our meat freezers for extended periods of time and been comfortable. They are unisex sizing, so I use the medium. My husband prefers an XL.
I also recommend having two or more pairs of lightweight garden gloves, designated for different areas! For example:
- One in the greenhouse
- One for the tomatoes
- One for everything else
Having multiple pairs helps prevent disease transfer from crop to crop and area to area. Even if your favorite gardener only has a small garden, keeping one pair of gloves specifically for crops they know are prone to disease prevents it from being spread. Multiple pairs also make it possible to keep two pairs you can rotate through so that you can wash one after working with diseased plants while you have a clean pair to use.
Once again, my favorites in this category come from Wells Lamont. These are in a convenient three-pack: Wells Lamont Garden Gloves.
Pruning Shears
I always seem to need a pair of shears in the garden. Whether I’m harvesting, weeding, trimming, or actually pruning, my bypass pruning shears are always on my hip!
This invaluable tool can come in a wide range of quality and price. For beginning gardeners, a good entry-level pair of shears would be something like this pair from Fiskars.
On my wish list this year are these shears from Truly Garden.
This pair has a sturdier construction than my entry-level shears and comes with a leather carrying pouch that can attach to my pants waist, which means they will always be within reach! They have a rubberized grip so it should be easier to work with for longer time with less hand fatigue. They will cut up to 3/4-inch-thick wood and come with a five-year warranty. They check all the boxes for me.
So, I've added this next one to the article because I forgot to talk about it in my gift guide episode!
Soil Scoop
This is not just any old garden trowel. The Soil Scoop is my go-to in my garden for digging holes for transplants or for digging out stubborn weeds that have large root masses. It has a concave shape that means it cradles the dirt, making a perfect hole every time. It also has serrated edges, making it such a workhorse!
Hopefully this has given you a great starting point for the gardener on your gift list this year. Did I miss anything? Reach out and let me know if there is a must-have on your list or that you use in your own garden that you would recommend!
Your Friend in the Garden,
