Books make a good gift for the avid gardener on your list. (Photo courtesy of University of Illinois Extension)

Are you searching for the “perfect” gift for a gardener in your family? Rhonda Ferree, Horticulture Educator with University of Illinois Extension, provides the following ideas that might prove helpful.

Gardeners always love gift plants and flowers. Since gardeners tend to be choosy about the type of plants they grow, get them a gift certificate to their favorite nursery. Or, give them a monthly subscription to receive fruit or plants each month for the next year.

All gardeners love gardening books and magazines. Give them a gift certificate for a substantial amount from any bookstore or online bookseller for the purchase of gardening-related books. Or, give them a gardening magazine subscription.

For gardeners who love jewelry, fun garden themed jewelry is a great gift. Pins shaped like a garden rake or shovel or flower necklaces are good ideas for women. For the male gardener, purchase a bird feeder, chimes, or other garden accessory.

Purchase gifts that will help the gardener avoid environmental hazards. All gardeners should use sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, gloves, proper shoes, long sleeved shirts and long pants, and ear protection when needed.

They must have a good pair (or two) of gardening gloves. Gloves protect hands from twigs, spikes, thorns or even the drying soil. Make sure they fit or they won’t be worn.

Along with gloves, a gardener needs a good pair of gardening shoes, boots, or clogs. Clogs are often preferred because they are easy to slip on and work well for light gardening. Other gardening tasks require good sturdy shoes or boots.

For the indoor gardener, there are many options as well. A table top terrarium is a lovely way to grow and enjoy an indoor garden. Be sure to give them some little houseplants and soil to get the terrarium started.

A canvas tote filled with gardening supplies is great for the indoor or outdoor gardener. For indoor gardeners include perfectly sized tools, a plant mister, a light meter, and a good houseplant book. For the outdoor gardener include tools, pruners, string, plant tags, and gloves.

Finally, what could be better than a whole basket full of gardening treasures! A collection of garden delights might include green tea, natural snacks, and gardening essentials such as gardening gloves, hand tools, kneeling pad and jiffy-pots for seedlings.

Happy shopping. Oh, and if you are the gardener, cut out this article and leave it in an obvious spot for your loved one to see and get the hint.

For more information, contact Rhonda Ferree, University of Illinois Extension, (309) 543-3308, ferreer@illinois.edu

— Finding gifts for the gardener —