These garden gifts provide fresh ideas for the practical gardener in your life. From plant propagation supplies to your favorite books to unexpected gadgets that make gardening easier, everything is thrifted (mostly under $100) and available with the click of a mouse.
For more ideas, check out our Empress of Dirt shop, where you can find printable garden planners, e-books, and more.
gifts for gardeners
If you’re looking for a frugal yet pleasing gift idea for your favorite gardener, this is for you. With a few exceptions, most items fall within the $100 budget.
This guide starts with bird essentials for our beloved feathered friends who entertain us every year, but if you want to skip the details and give us something fundamentally useful. Please go back to basics.
We also highlighted several recent books that focus on environmentally beneficial gardening and a return to growing native species that support life on Earth.
If your gardener is interested in propagation, I’ll share useful items for seed starting supplies, including an inexpensive grow light that I recommend.
There’s no need to repeat commonly recommended gardening tools, so some extremely useful gear includes some items that, as you might imagine, are unexpected but great problem-solvers.
But, as I said at the outset, when in doubt, never underestimate the value of large quantities of top-quality compost and cheerful, hard-working volunteers to spread it around your garden. We gardeners are truly simple people.
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Price ranges are accurate at the time of publication.
bird essentials
favorite book
Favorite hummingbird feeder
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a good hummingbird feeder. It should be attractive to hummingbirds (not bees), easy to clean and replenish, and provide a safe perch.
This is the hummingbird feeder that I recommend. It is also wise to provide an ant moat to prevent ants from accessing (and spoiling) the nectar.
These feeders will need to be washed and refilled frequently, so have at least two and always have one available.
Here’s more information on how to make a good hummingbird feeder and how to keep the bees away.
Top rated bird feeder with automatic camera
High resolution photos and videos 24/7 Free cloud storage or save to SD card Phone app with integrated video and notifications Identifies over 6000 bird species Rechargeable – can also be powered by the optional Birdfy solar panel
wildlife camera
Motion-activated wildlife cameras (also known as “trail cams”) can capture animal activity in your yard during the day or night. I’ve had several of these over the years. Not only are these entertaining, but they can also help you understand how certain critters get to your food crops or get into your shed.
book
Price range: $14 to $50
If I could only have one gardening book, it would be a good illustrated book that shows how to propagate different plants. One of my favorites is “Grow Your Own Garden” by Carol Klein.
For something timely and inspirational, these titles will guide you toward wildlife-friendly gardening with native plants. This is an important topic because we (collectively) recognize how important our gardens are within our local ecosystems.
Rust Spotted Bumblebee Garden: Creating Habitat for Native Pollinators: Ontario and the Great Lakes Edition | Lorraine Johnson, Sheila Colla | Gardeners create habitat everywhere from gardens and community spaces to balconies and boulevards Contains all the information you need to create and take action to support and protect pollinators.
Bringing Nature Home: How to Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants | Doug Tallamy
I wanted to feature this book because it has inspired countless gardeners to adopt environmentally beneficial practices. Regardless of its size, viewing your garden as part of a larger whole reveals the importance of plant selection and avoiding pesticides.
Garden Allies: Insects, birds and other animals that will make your garden beautiful and thriving | Frédéric Lavoiperre
This work beautifully describes the secret life of gardens.
Pollinator Victory Garden: Winning the battle against pollinator decline with ecological gardening. Attract and support bees, beetles, butterflies, bats, and other pollinators | Kim Eyerman
The Humane Gardener: Cultivating a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife (How to Create a Sustainable and Ethical Garden That Promotes Native Wildlife, Plants, and Biodiversity) | Nancy Lawson
Seeding supplies
Indoor LED grow light
LED grow light
Price range: $40 to $110
Although it is possible to grow many types of seeds on a sunny windowsill, there are many benefits to using a basic grow light instead.
For starting seeds, the ultra-bright white light of the Barrina LED is a great choice. Available in 2ft, 3ft, and 4ft lengths.
If you are a gardener growing flowering tropical houseplants, you may also want to consider purchasing a Barrina full-spectrum light.
If you want to see everything I’m using, this shows my entire seed starting setup.
Also recommended
If you’re gifting a grow light, these are a useful companion gift.
A watering can with a long, narrow neck is ideal for watering indoor seedlings.
Price range: $30 to $50
A basic moisture meter takes the guesswork out of watering. I always use mine. And no batteries required!
Price range: $7 to $12
A timer like this allows you to automate turning your grow lights on and off every day. I tried the digital ones, but they weren’t as reliable or durable as this style.
Price range: $10 to $20
In this e-book, Starting Seeds for Beginners, I’ll show you everything I do to successfully sow seeds indoors at home and propagate hundreds of new plants each year. It is written for beginners who want to learn more.
Price range: less than $10
Long-lasting plant markers and labels
This is what I use to mark perennials in my garden, especially varieties that I tend to forget about.
Extraordinarily useful gear
A two-wheeled wheelbarrow that doesn’t tip over even when it’s full is worth every penny.
Price range: $60 to $130
Compost tumblers are effective at keeping animals away and can be used year-round.
Price range: $100 to $300
Pop-up kangaroo bags (sold under a variety of names) make moving garden waste a breeze. Throw in weeds and clippings as you work. No need to lift anything heavy. The smooth base allows you to glide around the garden. Available in a variety of sizes.
Price range: $40 to $100
If mosquitoes are making gardening impossible, a hooded bug jacket can be a game-changer. They used to eat me alive until I got them last summer.
Price range: $20 to $30
I wish I had bought waders years earlier! Now you can keep your feet firmly planted on the bottom of your pond, keeping it warm and dry while doing regular maintenance on your pond.
Price range: $50 to $150
Plant Interest Seed Collection
Themes include butterflies, bees, vegetables, herbs, peppers, and more.
back to basics
If you don’t know what to give, just ask!
Or go back to basics.
Money for plants and seeds Soil, compost, and mulch — truck load Skilled help — 1 or 2 cheerful volunteers to spread the word about the goodness of soil
Let’s be real. I would be very happy if someone said to me, “Choose what you want from this nursery or seed catalog.” Yes, please!
On the most practical level, many of us would be happy to have bulk deliveries of quality soil, compost, and mulch, and the help of volunteers to distribute them throughout our gardens. Hey, that’s right!
Alternatively, send a professional weed control company to patiently remove the invasive species. Dreamy!
~Melissa Empress of Dirt ♛
