Hey, it’s Barbara here.

I say there’s nothing luckier than learning you have a new gardener on your Christmas list – because there are so many things out there that they can use and will appreciate receiving. Here are a few of my favourites.

Weeding and Cultivating

Over the years I have filled my tool bucket with tools, only to realize that there are just a few that I use over and over. One I’ve used for 4 years now and is one of my all time favourites, is the Cobrahead® Weeder and Cultivator. As the advertising literature says, “It weeds, cultivates, scalps edges, digs, furrows, transplants, de-thatches and harvests with ease.” And, the best part is not just that it does all that, but it does it well. It has a steel head and solid wood fibre reinforced recycled plastic handle which feels great in your hand. It comes in a standard version as well as a long handled version (54″) for folks who need or want to do their gardening in a standing position rather than their knees.

Scaring Away Unwanted Animal Visitors

For folks who have wildlife they’d prefer would stay away from tender shoots and stems, there’s ScareCrow by Contech. It is an “Automatic outdoor animal deterrent”, it works for up to 4 months on a single battery releasing a short but startling burst of water to any unwelcome visitors. Scares the animals just enough to send them running off, but doesn’t hurt them in any way. They claim it has been used with great success against deer, fox, raccoons, cats and even bears – oh my!

Carrying Stuff Around the Garden

Every gardener with a bit of property will at some point need a wheel barrow. Nothing makes gardening easier than being able to transport equipment, plants and soil around the garden. The problem with many wheel barrows - especially if you get one large enough to suit your needs is finding a good place to store it. Well, the Fold-A-Cart 6 cubic foot folding work cart could be just the thing for the gardener on your list. Fold-A-Cart offers a good sturdy product that folds up perfectly until it is ready to use again.

Protecting Your Hands with Great Gardening Gloves

Gardeners the world over are always looking for that perfect pair of gloves, and I think I’ve found them. They are called Bionic Gloves. Here is one of my well-worn pair to the left. They are padded just where you want the padding, breath nicely so your hands don’t become overly hot; keep soil out around your nails and at the base of your fingers – and look great too. I liked the pair I was given to trial so much, I went out and bought myself a second pair – one for the wash and one pair to use. There is a woman’s glove, a man’s glove, and a great Women’s Bionic Rose Glove that lets you reach into the rose bushes without getting scratched by the thorns.

Uprooting Stubborn Weeds

Helen’s favourite tool (and mine too, if I could ever get it away from her) is Fiskars UpRoot Weeder. When I first used it a couple of years ago, people would get out of the car to see if they could try it too. When I realized that I’d eliminated the weeds from my lawn, I have to admit that I was looking longingly at dandelions around the neighbourhood, wondering if they’d mind if I helped myself. I don’t know if it is the satisfying stomp on the weed, or the fact that you get to shoot it out afterward with a satisfactory reloading motion that so appeals – anyway, it is certainly high on my recommendation list. Here’s the video of Helen putting it to work.

Any one of these presents under the tree will give your gardener the gift of anticipation if it’s cold and snowy now – or get them out and into the garden if you’re fortunate enough to live where it’s temperate and the soil is ready to till. If you hurry, there’s still time for Christmas delivery. Of course, if you’d like to be the lucky recipient of any of these great gifts, feel free to send your Santa to this site to place an order!