What to get an organic gardener for Christmas

Are you browsing through gifts for your friendly, neighborhood organic gardener? Why not? Don't you love me? I shared all that zucchini with you last year, remember? OK. You caught me. This is actually my wish list. Hey, if I don't get it out there, how will anyone know? So, from pricey to dollar store, common to unusual, here's what this organic gardener would like for Christmas this year. Chances are, your favorite organic gardeners may have the same sugar plums dancing in their heads.

A rototiller would be awesome, thank you!

Every year, we rent a rototiller to break up the soil. Every other year, we do it late because someone forgets how early crops need to planted. I don't know how he forgets. I nag him enough. So this year for Christmas, if you really love me, please put a pretty red bow around the biggest, toughest rototiller you can find. I will repay you in produce, since my garden is likely to be more prolific if I actually get it started on time.

A garden gadget or two is always welcome.

But please do not get me anything “As seen on TV.” Do not get me that rotating spiked weeder on a stick. I already have one. It sucks. Likewise that wrinkled up cloth hose thing. Bought it Used it once. It sprung about 25 leaks. Just goes to show you, don't believe everything you see in a demo video.

Please get me anything that makes gardening easier.

I'm not getting any younger. I need all the help I can get. You don't even have to buy anything. Will you work the garden for food? I promise I won't make you hold up a cardboard sign. If you're feeling lazy, though, just head for any home improvement store. An organic gardener can never have too many hoes, shovels or bottles of earth friendly pesticide. Smaller budget? The dollar store sells hand gardening tools.

How about a load of compost?

Every year, I get free compost from the hospital where my daughter works. I also make my own. For some reason, it's never enough. My veggies are hungry! So, if you have a truck, don't offer to move me. Just head on over to your local landscaping materials center and fill that baby up with the good stuff. Heck, you can dump it right smack on my front lawn for all I care. It needs some love anyway.

Every organic gardener loves GMO free seeds.

The problem is, not everyone knows where to get them. Confused about what seeds your favorite gardener might like? Just buy an assortment. Got an organic gardening fanatic who's trying to survive the apocalypse? Check out the seed bank assortments. These seeds last for seven years! Hey, who knows? There have to be some survivors . I'm pretty sure if I'm one of them, I'll still be here, working my garden, like always.

How to use a live potted tree for a greener Christmas

Environmental concerns may have you thinking about using a live Christmas tree for the holidays. Artificial trees often end up in land fills. Real cut trees are often used once and discarded. You can donate them to your city mulching and recycling program but somehow it never gets done. Why not try using a live, potted Christmas tree this year? Not sure how to do it? These tips can help you keep your live Christmas tree in the best condition before, during and after the holidays.

Keep it outside for a few days, or not.

When you first purchase your live Christmas tree from a nursery where it has been kept outside, give it some time to adjust. Moving the tree may cause it some shock. Keep it outside for a few days until it gets used to being taken from home.

If your tree was purchased from an indoor nursery, bring it in the house right away.

Keep in natural light.

Once your live Christmas tree is ready to bring into the house, keep it in natural light. Live Christmas trees do best in front of a large window. This gives them the sun they need on a daily basis. Keep the soil moist, not wet. Extremes of any kind may cause your live Christmas tree to go into shock and die.

Avoid heat and air ducts.

Fluctuating temperatures are no good for your live Christmas tree. Take care to place it away from heat and air ducts. Even though evergreen trees are used to the cold, they don't appreciate going from hot to cold and back again. They're used to the more gradual temperature changes of mother nature.

Wait to decorate and be gentle.

Once you bring your live Christmas tree indoors, give it a breather. Let it adjust to the new environment in your home before loading it with ornaments. When you do decorate, go a little lighter than you normally would. Skip the lights or just use a few. Decorate gently and without heavy ornaments.

Harden off before re-planting.

Just like any other plant, a live Christmas tree should be hardened off before bringing it outdoors in the pot. To harden off your tree, bring it out of doors for a few hours each day. Do this for four or five days before leaving it outdoors permanently. It's best to leave it outdoors in the pot for the winter. However, do make sure the pot is sheltered from the elements. Plant in spring to green up your yard.

Working the Denver garden in winter and early spring

For some Denver gardeners, winter is a welcome reprieve from gardening. Others wish they could garden all year. If you're in the latter group, you'll be glad to know that in Denver, at least, you don't have to stop gardening when the snow falls. Here's how you can garden throughout the winter in Denver.

November

The first day of winter is usually somewhere around the 21^st of December. That doesn't mean it won't be nippy in Denver before then. Officially winter or not, November is usually considered a winter month. In Denver, however, it's still very possible to keep cold hardy vegetables like greens and root vegetables growing right up until the first of December. If you have a cold frame or greenhouse, you may be able to grow them all winter. It all depends on how cold it gets.

In November, you can likely still finish your garden clean-up tasks. You may even still have some produce to harvest. Yes, there will be cold days. There will also be warm ones. Take advantage of them when they come to finish the last of your big garden tasks, set up those cold frames, pick off the last of the harvest and more. December is not quite as Denver garden user friendly.

December

Denver Decembers can be bitterly cold. They can also be seasonally warm. That's due, of course to the semi-arid climate. While it may be possible for procrastinating Denver gardeners to continue their garden clean-up into the weeks prior to Christmas, there are no guarantees. A better bet would be to use this time to wrap up those garden themed Christmas gifts. Your homemade salsa, sauces, jellies, jams and even your excess squash and pumpkins make a wonderful gift for those without a garden.

You can also start herbs indoors for next year's garden and continue tending any hardy veggies you may still have growing.

January

It's January already? In Denver, January is typically frigid. Time for gardeners to stay primarily indoors. Order and/or peruse those seed catalogs. Checking your seed inventory first insures that you won't over-order. Believe it or not, January is also a great time for planting onion seeds. Starting early gives them time to develop into mature bulbs for planting.

Re-pot any herbs that have outgrown their starter pots.

February

February is all about paper plans. Make a scale sketch of your garden spaces. Take a look at the seeds you have in stock. Consider the plants you plan to buy or grow. Pencil everything in so you can make necessary changes easily. Take size and height into consideration. In Denver, the general rule is to plant your rows running from north to south. Taller crops should be planted in the westernmost rows, shorter ones in the east, toward the rising sun. This way, as the sun makes it's way across the sky, no plant is shaded by another.

Don't forget to check that your neighboring veggies are compatible.

It might surprise some newer Denver gardeners to know that February is also a great time to start tomatoes and peppers indoors or in a heated greenhouse. Once again, that early start insures that plants will be a healthy size and in good condition for planting when the time comes. They will have to be re-potted, trimmed and fed as they grow.

March

Use March to start the rest of your veggies indoors in Denver. There are also some crops like peas, squash and corn that can be started from seed outdoors in late March. If you're not sure which ones, check the Farmer's Almanac.

April/May

Winter is pretty much over by the end of April in Denver. You should have your garden space tilled and ready and a few hardy seed crops planted by May 1^st. Some can be planted sooner. You may still see snow or frost in April, but the garden soil should be workable, for the most part.

By the first of May, you should have most seeds planted. Tomatoes and peppers will have to wait until mid-May or the first of June, weather dependent. Don't do any heavy planting without checking weather reports. And remember, Denver is on the edge of the tornado belt. Be ready to quickly protect plants from those spring storms that begin in June.

Last minute Christmas gift ideas from the garden

Got extra house guests coming for the holidays? No time to shop? Depleted your Christmas money several weeks ago? Why not look to your garden harvest for ideas? Sure, gardening season ended long ago. That's alright. You can still make use of your harvest with some of these last minute Christmas gift ideas from the garden.

Spice things up.

Surely you have some strings of peppers hanging in your root cellar. You can dress them up with a bow for a quick last minute gift. Better yet, rehydrate them. Make some pepper jelly or red hot sauce for your unexpected guests. This garden gift is even Christmas color themed!

What else is hanging around?

If you're like most gardeners, you have an abundance of dried herbs. Why not share them as Christmas gifts? Wrap them in cheesecloth and tie for handmade herbal tea bags. Seep them in vinegar for a tasty condiment. Make herbal extracts by soaking them in Vodka. Or, simply fill a set of pretty spice jars.

Take stock of your canned goods.

They're not in fancy jars because you made them for personal use. That's OK. A little fluff can fix that issue. Pair assorted garden canned goods in a pretty little fabric lined basket. Top it off with an herbal sprig for a festive homemade Christmas gift. It's a natural!

How about that surplus squash?

You have scads of it stored in the basement. From zucchini to pumpkins, there's way more than you can eat. Why not put together a colorful mix of assorted squash and other root veggies? Pack it in a grapevine cornucopia for added flare.

Last minute gifts from the garden aren't meant to be fancy.

They're meant to be useful and delicious. So, don't sweat over the details. Just assess your inventory and put your imagination to work. Somewhere in your house is the perfect garden gift for those unexpected Christmas guests.

Grow your own herbal soap scents in the garden

Do you have any idea how easy it is to grow your own herbal soap scents in the garden? Well, let me tell you. It's so simple, you'll wonder why you've never done it before. It's much easier than making the soap itself. If you're a soap-maker, for fun or profit, making herbal scents is one of those things you must try. Anyone can do it. It's not hard to make your own extracts.Then, just add them to your soap batch for a lovely natural scent.

Perennial herbs are quite easy to grow.

Just one tiny herb plant can grow into a big patch in a single season. They tolerate a lot of different climates. They're not fussy about soil as long as there's good drainage. They do prefer sun to shade in most cases. Still, it's best to check the label when planting herbs you're unfamiliar with in the garden. Trim them back at the end of the season. Next year, they'll pop right back to life.

Scent combinations:

Perennial herbs like thyme, rosemary and sage give homemade soap an old fashioned twist. Combine them with florals to make your own unique soap scent combinations. Rosemary lavender is a classic.

Basil and cilantro are popular soap scent choices.

These herbs grow best indoors, but can be grown outdoors in partial shade. They like a lot of water. Still, you'll want to make sure they drain well. You will have to plant them yearly, if grown outdoors. Indoors, with proper care, the same plant can last several seasons.

Insider tip:

I have my basil growing under my outdoor faucet. That way, my leaky hose connection does the watering for me every time I turn the water on.

Scent combinations:

Basil and cilantro mix well with citrus scents for soap-making. Try cilantro lime, lemon basil and more.

How about growing some minty garden soap scents?

Growing mint requires little or no work. The challenge is getting it to stop growing. Mint likes sun and good drainage. Other than that, you just plant it and watch it prosper.

Insider tip:

Like most seasoned gardeners, I grow my mint in pots. Doing otherwise might jeopardize other herbs. Mint likes to take over and does so rapidly.

Scent combinations:

Mint goes well with food scents like vanilla, almond or fruit.

Note:

Aloe Vera is no herb, but you can save a lot of money by growing your own to add to homemade soap.

How to make herbal extracts:
 
*Fill a pint jar with your choice of washed, crushed herb.
*Fill the jar with clear vodka and cover.
*Place the jar in the sun.
*Let it "brew" for a couple weeks.
*Strain.
*The liquid is your extract.

Yes, it's that simple to make herbal soap scents from your garden.

Wrong season? That's OK. Herbs grow well in your kitchen window too. There's just no stopping them. Why not plant some herbs for soap-making today? Even if you don't sell your soaps, your friends and family will love them as gifts or for everyday use.

Great Christmas gifts from the garden - Herbal vinegar

Use herbs from your garden to make infused vinegar for holiday gift giving

Give the gift of herbal vinegar for Christmas. Herbal vinegar is one of the easiest things you can make from your Denver garden. Herbs grow like weeds here in the hot dry summers. Who wouldn't love this gift that makes salad dressing a breeze? You can flavor your herbal vinegar with whatever you wish.

To make herbal vinegar gardening gifts you will need clean mason jars or other jars with lids. You will also need enough white or apple cider vinegar to fill the jars. The amount and type of herbs used will reflect your taste and the kind of herbal vinegar you would like to make.

Basic instructions for herbal vinegar

*Pack ½ cup rubbed herbs into each pint mason jar.
*Heat vinegar until it comes to a boil.
*Pour 12 oz. vinegar into each jar with the herbs.
*Allow the vinegar to cool.
*Cover jars and steep for several weeks in the refrigerator.

*Transfer to pretty vinegar dispenser bottles for giving.

Got houseplants but few windows?

Gardening indoors in a home with little natural light can be frustrating. That's especially true in winter when you can't put plants outside. Not everyone can afford or make room for grow lights. How can you make the best use of the light you do have? Is there a way to make sure all your plants get some light without knocking a wall down? Could you use plants that love the sun a little less? Here's some ideas that might help your indoor winter garden along when you have very few windows.

Make better use of glass patio doors.

So, you don't have a lot of windows. Do you have glass patio doors? If you do, I'm sure you have a few plants in front of them. Have you thought of using only one side to enter or exit in the winter? Chances are, you don't use the yard that much off season anyway. If you can manage it, you'll have a lot more space for your sun loving plants. Remember to use all the space by hanging some and putting the rest below.

Shelves allow for more plants.

A shelf in front of your patio door increases plant display capacity in cold months. Use shelves in windows for smaller plants. You don't need special windows to accommodate shelves. Simply nail supports to the inside of window frames. Your shelves needn't be fancy either. Cut 2x4 planks to fit the windowsill. Rest them on the side supports.

Widen your windowsills.

Maybe your windowsill isn't big enough to accommodate your winter houseplants. That's alright. Expand the space by using a wide board, screwed to the sill. You can finish the board any way you like. Check your local home improvement store for finished shelving if you're not handy with a paintbrush. Glued on decorative edging gives a more finished look.

Shifting plants insures sunlight for all.

Some homes and apartments are truly dark. Basement apartments are one example. If your home has just one or two awkwardly placed windows, you can still have a few winter houseplants. Simply rotate them so each one gets some light every few days. As long as you stick to plants that don't require extreme sun, they should be fine.

Some plants prefer indirect light.

Not all plants need to be placed in windows. Some prefer a less intense light. So, when placing your winter plants, group them according to sun needs. Start with those that need the most sun. Be sure they are closest to the light. Work your way outward with the rest of your plants. It's an easy way to insure your plants are happy in winter, even when you have very few windows.

Garden planning – Denver winter yard and garden clean up

Sometimes Denver winters are delayed. This picture was taken in late November.

Hey there, Denver gardeners. Are you planning for your spring garden? There's one thing you may have forgotten. Is your yard and garden clean and ready for planting? If not, this is a great time to tackle it. Here in the Mile High City we have a lot of intermittent warm winter days. Why not use them to ready your garden for spring? After all, you can only pencil so many plans before you start yearning for the outdoors. So, what exactly can you do midwinter in the garden?

You can pick up the trash.

Winter winds sweeping trash into your yard? Fallen twigs and branches everywhere? Doggy-poo getting the better of you? Kids toys all over the yard? If you picked all these things up now, it won't be such a chore in the spring. Wait for a day when there's no snow on the ground and get it done.

While you're at it:

*Check for and discard broken garden pots.

*Make a note of landscaping issues, such as peeling paint on fences and borders.

*Check your garden decor for damage too. (Wind chimes, gazing balls, etc.)

Are you really going to use that thing?

Remember all those fabulous free finds you found on last year's scrounging expeditions? Make plans to use them now or discard them. You know if you wait until spring, you'll be too busy to construct those beds from that scrap lumber or make that awesome planting tower from those pallets. Why not do it now, while you have time? (On those warm days, of course.)

Organize tools in the garage or shed.

If you're like most gardeners, it takes days to find your tools in the spring. Why not plan ahead for that eventuality? Now's a great time to weed out the tool shed or garage. Crank up the tunes. Open the doors for a breath of fresh air. On days when Denver winter temps hit the 50's you might even think it's springtime. Plus, cleaning clears the cobwebs out of your head.

Stake out the tilling zones.

Do you have areas that will need tilling, come spring? Why not stake them out to make it easier? Just pace off the areas you wish to till. Pound a stake in at each corner. Now, come spring, it's just a matter of renting a rototiller and getting it done.

Take a last look around the garden.

Are there any clean-up chores you missed last fall that need doing? If so, make a note of them or just do it. Don't have time to do it all today? Frigid out? Ground too hard? That's OK. Denver has plenty of warm days in winter. You can catch it next time.

Denver winter gardening: Maintaining compost piles

Compost is a must for organic Denver gardeners. Even if you use Hugelkultur piles, you'll also need compost to amend soil in other beds. Denver winters can be harsh, however, they are generally milder than in the rest of Colorado. That makes it easier to maintain compost piles. That being said, it does still snow and get well below freezing in the metro area, for at least a couple months in winter. So, how do you tend compost in mile high snow and freezing temperatures?

Sometimes tending compost is just impossible.

You're not going to be able to tend your compost piles in 2-3 foot snow drifts. That's OK. The snow will provide needed moisture for the pile. You won't always be able to effectively till frozen compost either. That's OK too. Provided, that is, that you have been diligently tilling up to that point and continue to do so whenever possible.

Denver warm spells

Denver warm spells are of great benefit when it comes to maintaining compost piles in winter. Be sure to take advantage of them. Whenever the pile is warm enough to till, be sure to get out there and get it done. If it seems dry, add water. This is important because in drought years, compost piles will not get enough snow to keep them cooking.

How about that Denver sun?

Use it well in winter. Placing a cold frame over compost piles in Denver can effectively keep compost hot nearly all winter. That means composted soil will be ready to use much sooner. This doesn't always work in colder climates, further from the sun, like in the eastern U.S. However, for Denver, with those 300+ days of sunshine and mile high altitude, it's a perfect solution.

Note: If you don't have a cold frame or glass, use clear plastic to warm compost with the sun.

Don't forget to make additions.

Throughout the winter months, be sure to add kitchen vegetable waste, coffee grounds, etc. to your compost pile, just as diligently as you would in warmer months. Keep a bucket in the kitchen to collect scraps on snow days. These can be brought out weekly, on good weather days. Denver snow doesn't generally “stick” or accumulate for more than a few days due to the close proximity of the sun.

Tip: Hot, black, leftover coffee (straight from the pot, with nothing added) provides both warm moisture and nutrients to the compost pile in winter.

Straw cover:

Straw makes excellent insulation for compost piles in winter. Covering your compost and Hugelkultur piles with straw insulates them from the cold so they can cook all winter. You will have to remove the insulating straw from compost piles to turn them. Still, it's well worth the effort in order to have your compost done by spring.

Note: To add kitchen scraps in the cold, simply make a hole in the straw, then re-cover. Till the scraps in on warmer days.

What is a Hugelkultur?

Hugelkultur is a gardening technique that limits water use, eliminates the need for fertilization, provides oxidization and more. In short, it's the most awesome way to garden ever. A neighbor recently told me about this crazy gardening method. He's had a lot of success with it. My garden is all planned and laid out for the year. Next year, though, you can bet I'll be trying out Hugelkultur. So, what is it, exactly? Why isn't everyone gardening this way?

Hugelkultur in short

Hugelkulter begins with a huge pile of large branches in a cleared, 3x6 area. You can do several piles if you wish. Each one will be a garden bed. Generally, people use large branches from downed or fallen trees. On top of that goes medium, then small branches. The Hugelkultur is finished off with compost material such as kitchen waste, then ordinary topsoil, then a natural mulch, such as straw. The finished pile is relatively tall. Hugelkulturs start at around 3-5 feet high.

That sounds incredibly high, doesn't it?

It will stay fairly high. However, keep in mind that as your Hugelkultur ages, it will shrink somewhat from natural decomposition.

What are the benefits?

Water conservation

How does Hugelkultur save water and watering time? The wood in your Hugelkultur will readily soak up and retain rain water. Buried under layers of soil, the wood becomes a water reserve for your garden bed. You'll seldom have to water at all. This is wonderful news for physically limited gardeners or those who haven't a lot of spare time. Best of all, retaining water isn't the only way Hugelkultur saves time and effort in the garden.

Fertilizer

How does Hugelkultur eliminate the need for fertilizer? Conventional gardening sometimes involves a great deal of science, soil testing and the like. Not so with Hugelkultur. It actually turns fertilization into a self maintaining process. A Hugelkultur mimics the way forests self fertilize. Wood falls, leaves tumble over the wood. The whole thing breaks down and fertilizes forest growth. No soil testing. Mother nature takes care of the hard work. All you have to do is plant and weed.

Oxidation

How does Hugelkultur provide air for plantings? Remember, under your Hugelkultur pile is that lovely stack of wood. Between the branches are natural air pockets. The air pockets provide proper air circulation that your plants can take advantage of. So, there's no more worrying about loosening your soil, either.

Is there anything that a Hugelkultur can't do all by itself?

Well, it can't plant itself. So, as a gardener, you'll still have that. You'll also want to wet it thoroughly when you first build it, just to get things started. It can help with fall clean-up. Why? Because you can just let the plants rot in place. In fact, you should. It's all part of the natural process that keeps a Hugelkultur functioning well and provides nutrients for the bed.

More benefits: 

It's also a great way to dispose of wood from clearing your yard and garden space. There are no beds to construct and no yard prep to do. Yet, you can easily reach all your plants without bending and stretching. A Hugelkultur provides awesome drainage too. The Hugelkultur seems to do it all.

Why don't more people use Hugelkultur?

Wow! This Hugelkultur stuff is making me wish I hadn't already laid out my garden. How about you? I wonder why it's not more popular. Well, it is sort of ugly. Plus, people tend to use more conventional methods, particularly when offending the neighbors is a concern. But hey, if you're like me and don't have to worry about what the neighbors think, Hugelkultur is a gardening technique you might want to try.

Why gardeners love the snow

Why would a gardener love the snow? Isn't that depressing for gardeners? Well, actually, just like anything else, it depends on how you look at it. So, today, as I watch the flakes fly, I'm reflecting on all the reasons gardening and snow make a great combination. Shall I enlighten you? There's more to snow in the garden than you might think. 

Obviously, snow saves on watering.

You don't have the time or the energy to water daily in winter. Thank goodness for the snow. All winter long, it keeps your trees, shrubs, dormant herbs and such watered. It saves on your water bill so you can pay the heat bill. Plus, there's no lugging around hoses or trying to determine which plant needs what. Just relax. Watch the winter wonderland drift into your garden.

Snow keeps the house clean.

You spent all that time in the garden this summer. It was wonderful, but the house has been somewhat neglected. Now that the snow is falling, you can catch up on household maintenance. That's the beauty of seasonal change. It allows you to vary your tasks from garden to home. Now, bring out those lovely poinsettias you've been nurturing. Imagine how pretty they'll look in front of the glass patio doors with all that snow falling outside.

Snow time means gifting time.

It's the season for giving loved ones gifts from the garden. You worked hard all fall. You have strings of hot peppers. You made jams and jellies galore. Your sauces are just the right amount of spicy. Now it's time to share them with friends and family. Snowfall means holidays. Holidays mean giving. What better gifts are there than those you grew and made yourself?

Snowfall is a great excuse to eat those canned goods.

Don't forget, your own cupboards are full of yummy delights for you too. In the summer, you made use of all those wonderful fresh veggies. Now that the snow is falling, it's time to indulge in your own canned, stored and frozen delicacies. This is the season to break out the pickles and other homemade family favorites. You didn't plan on giving it all away, did you? Snow time is the right time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

When you can't garden, you can....

What's one of the nicest things about snow for gardeners? It keeps you from gardening. Hey, you love to garden. Still, everyone needs a break. Most gardeners have to be forced to call it quits. I know I do. Now you have plenty of time to plan and plot next year's awesome garden. Let's face it, if it weren't for the snow, you'd still be at it. So, enjoy the snow. It's good for your garden and it's good for you.

Denver winter gardening: Digging new and raised beds

One of the nicest things about gardening in Denver is the fact that the soil only freezes completely solid for a short time. It usually waits until late winter to do so. That makes it possible to do a little digging in early winter for next year's garden. While it may seem a bit insane to be digging garden beds in winter, doing so can save you quite a bit of work in the spring.

Planting early is a stronger possibility if your bed location has already been cleared and partially dug. Certainly, you will still have to loosen the soil and dig in your amendments before spring planting. Still, having the weeds cleared and the basic outline of the garden space decided on before spring makes things a whole lot less stressful.

Denver typically has quite a few warm days before January hits. In fact, some years, even January can be mild. Why not take advantage of those warm days to lay out and dig the basic area you wish to plant in come spring? Of course, you won't be able to dig every day in winter. You may not get all your beds dug, either. Still, the more you do now, the less you'll have to do later.

Another thing you can do in early winter is to prep your raised bed areas. Simply scrape off the top layer of soil and grass. Then, put your raised bed in place. Be sure to discourage early spring weed growth by stapling landscape fabric or cardboard onto the bottom of your raised bed before filling it with soil. Cardboard is porous enough to provide drainage and solid enough to block weed growth.

Bonus tip:

When using raised beds, cover the top of the soil with landscape fabric and cut holes for planting, just as you would for in-ground planting in heavily weeded areas. Even though raised beds get fewer weeds, over time, those weeds will sneak up through the soil to intensify your labor. Having surface coverage will discourage them from doing so.

Christmas gifts for the gardener in your life

Even if they're surrounded by snowdrifts, the gardener in your life is already thinking about gardening. Likely, they're planning next year's garden. Why not give your favorite gardener a Christmas gift to reflect their passion? Gardening is a soulful hobby. A gardener is easy to please. Anything that reminds them of digging and gardening in rich, dark soil makes a thoughtful Christmas gift for the gardener.

Herb garden kit

It's winter and the gardener is longing to get their hands into the soil. A window herb garden kit will keep them from getting cabin fever in the months ahead. Purchase seeds, miniature pots and soil as a Christmas gift for the gardener.

Gloves and apron

A pair of gardening gloves and an apron make a thoughtful Christmas gift for the gardener. A gardeners hands suffer much abuse when weeding and planting. Gloves and an apron are a present that will make this hobby more pleasant.

Gardening lotion

Even with gloves on, the hands of a gardener can become dry and chapped. Sometimes a gardener is uncomfortable in gloves as well. Consider a stocking stuffer of a good lotion for the gardener. I recommend corn huskers lotion or bag balm.

Manicure

The fingernails of a gardener are often filled with gardening soil and plant residue. A manicure or manicure set would be a nice present for the gardener who cares about their appearance.

Gardening tools

A set of nice hand tools is always useful as a Christmas gift. No matter how many trowels you have, they are difficult to find when needed. Try giving this present with a nice tote or back to keep their tools in.

Knee pads

Knee pads will keep the gardener from scraping up their knees while weeding or hand gardening. This Christmas gift also adds cushion for their comfort.

Sun protection

Protect the gardener from the sun with a stocking stuffer of sunscreen. Consider a hat for the gardener as well to keep the heat at a tolerable level.

Boot scraper

The gardener has a messy job. A boot and shoe scraper might be a welcome Christmas gift for them. Less time cleaning floors means more time in the garden.

BPA-free water bottle

A gardener should keep hydrated. Gardening is strenuous physical activity. A nice water bottle or cooler is a caring present for the gardener.

Gardening book

Surely the gardener does not know everything there is to know about their hobby. How about a nice gardening book as a present to further educate them?