When the sky is gray and the mercury is low, what would you buy for those who like to dig the soil and see flowers? It turns out, a lot!
From items they can use now to items that plant the seeds of anticipation, these gifts will bring a ray of sunshine to your favorite gardener's off-season.
Indoor plant gift subscription. What better gift for gardeners than planting plants in December (and January, February, and March)? When you subscribe to Horti Plants—with 3, 6, and 12 months options—the cold offseason becomes bearable. Choose from "Horti's Pick" or "Pet Friendly" options, and the "Carefully Curated Plant Kit" will be launched soon. Each kit includes a plant, care guide and a 6-inch hand-painted pot and saucer. Starting at $75 on heyhorti.com (three-month subscription, including shipping).
"Glass Gem" corn earrings. These sterling silver earrings made by the artist Debbie Groat are not made of glass gems, but are made of the actual kernel of the heirloom "Glass Gem" variety of corn, shining like glass. Each earring is stacked with three natural-toned dangling nuclei (your one may be different from the photo), about 1 1/2 inches long. The GardenGrownJewelry store on Etsy.com is $16.
Coconut fiber planter. The dogs and plant lovers on your list will snuggle in these lovely plantations of animals, such as the Dachshund, Pug, Poodle, Schnauzer, Wester or French or English Bulldog of your choice Model. Depending on the breed, these cubs range in size from 20 x 9 x 10.5 inches to 12 x 6.5 x 8 inches, and are made by Filipino artisans using sustainable coconut husk fibers. $60-65 on uncommongoods.com.
Embossed serving bowl. Each of these stoneware tabletop bowls is printed with real flowers, which are then hand-painted by Virginia potter Neena Jhaveri. The Pressed Garden of Love serving bowls can be used in dishwashers, ovens, and microwaves; they are 11 x 5 inches and have a capacity of 80 ounces. $165 on uncommongoods.com.
Indoor watering can. Since 1886, the iconic Haws copper watering can has been admired by British gardeners. The pot is loved for its perfect balance and polished finish. It is equipped with a removable brass watering "rose" that can provide plants with a gentle shower that simulates rainfall. Each contains 13 ounces of water, is 15 3/4 inches wide, 5 inches deep, and 6 1/4 inches high. Made in the UK; US$134.95, only at williams-sonoma.com.
Water polo for bees. You may prepare water for birds, but have you considered how bees replenish water? These hand-blown glass balls-orange or blue-provide a safe source of water for our pollinators, while adding a touch of color to the garden. And this sphere never needs to be filled, because dew and rain will naturally gather on its ridges and ridges, and bees can drink from there without drowning. Put them in the garden and you can see them, and you will like to see a steady stream of tourists. The diameter of the sphere is 6 to 7 inches; $45 at whiteflowerfarm.com.
Ceramic toad house. Do you know anyone whose tomatoes or hosta leaves were chopped off last summer? Put this glazed toad nest in a damp and shady garden, and their amphibious neighbors will move in. What will they eat? Otherwise the slugs and insects that will destroy your friend's plants! You will be the hero of the garden next year. The house is 7 3/4 inches high, 7 1/2 inches wide, and 4 inches long. US$21.99, National Wildlife Federation, shopnwf.org.
Fermentation kit. Kimchi packer, kimchi pebbles and kimchi tube. Say it three times! The Masontops Complete Vegetable Fermentation Kit contains everything you need to ferment various vegetables (home grown or purchased in stores) into probiotic-rich kimchi. There is a recipe book and three puzzling tools for mashing, weighing and pickling vegetables, as well as an automatic gas release device. These products are made of food-safe glass, silica gel and acacia wood, enough to make four cans of sauerkraut, kimchi, kimchi or other fermented vegetables (canned cans are sold separately). There are two sizes to choose from, either regular cans ($44.99) or wide-mouth cans ($54.95) can be filled on masontops.com.
Portable fire pit. One of the best gifts you can give a gardener is a way to enjoy the garden at unexpected times, such as in winter. Enter the portable (15" x 12 1/2") Solo Ranger stove: its innovative, low-smoke and clean burning design includes an air intake hole at the bottom that draws air into the fuel source and burns the wood into ultra-fine ash. It can keep you warm on the porch, deck or terrace, and can be used to roast marshmallows, hot dogs, etc. Burn a large piece of wood, which weighs only 15 pounds. $214.99 on solostove.com.
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