10 affordable gift ideas for gardeners

by Debra Anchors

It happens to all of us. Trying to find the perfect gift for that person on your list "who has everything" can be a daunting task. Here are a few suggestions which are certain to please:

Garden Bucket Caddy - Ideal for transporting a variety of small tools, beverages, your cell phone and more

Hatchet - An easy-to-carry choice, perfect for gardeners, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. A hatchet is ideal for chopping kindling and small- to medium-sized logs.

Gardening Gloves –These washable, nitrile-coated gardening gloves are sturdy, yet provide for finger flexibility. The bright colors make them easy to find in the yard, too.

Mini Greenhouse – An ideal choice for small backyards or homes where space is an issue. This can also be used indoors.

Bypass Pruning Shears - Is it time again to tame the garden? If so, these coated pruning shears are ready to tackle the job.

3 Piece Garden Tool Set – Useful for a variety of tasks including digging, weeding, loosening soil, aerating, and transplanting.

30 Gallon Kangaroo Gardening Bag – Perfect for collecting weeds, grass clippings, other types of yard waste or even toys or laundry off of the clothesline.

Clear Window Feeder - A feeder that attaches easily to a window surface is a useful and affordable gift for people who enjoy watching birds from inside the house, any time of year.

Big Kids Garden Tool Set - Garden like the "big" kids. Great for outdoor play and spending time with mom and dad while they garden. Give young gardeners a head start with these garden tools.

Fairy Garden Kit – Get kids growing! They can create and grow their own magical miniature fairyland!








If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life.

Thank you for stopping by to spend time in my garden.  If you liked the article, please take a moment to let me know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.

Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever!
-Debra

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Create a birdseed wreath - Recipe and instructions

by Debra Anchors

Image - Cherry Hill Cottage

Feed wild birds to add beauty and music to your yard. You can simply hang a bird feeder and watch the ensuing feast, or create a few of these and watch your guests linger a little bit longer!

Recipe:

1 envelope of plain gelatin
1/2-cup warm water
3 Tbsp light corn syrup
3/4-cup flour
4 cups wild birdseed
Non-stick olive oil spray

You will also need:

Bowl
Bundt or ring pan
Large spoon 
Wide ribbon or fabric remnant
Hook or metal ring (for hanging your wreath)

Image: Pacific Northwest Birds

Instructions:

Use the non-stick spray to coat the inside of your bundt pan.

In a large bowl, stir together the gelatin, warm water, corn syrup and flour until it becomes a paste.

Pour all of the seed into the paste and mix well. Be sure it is very well combined. Spoon small amounts of your mixture into the bundt pan, pressing firmly as you fill. Leave the mixture in the pan until it is dry (48 hours).

Turn the pan upside down onto a drying rack. If needed, depending on the humidity level in your area, leave your wreath untouched until it is completely dry (another 8 hours).

Use a fabric ribbon to hang your new wreath. String or rope will cut and break the wreath.

Heart - Jeanne Sammons
Ornaments-Texas Homemaking

Suggestions:

- Involve children in your project!
- Add dried mealworms or other songbird favorites to your recipe
- Freeze your wreath in a freezer bag until needed
- Use this recipe to fill and hang pine cones

- Use smaller molds to create birdseed ornaments as gifts for your friends or for your child’s teacher (twine will work to hang smaller, less heavy molds).
- A small birdseed ornament is a great wedding reception favor for guests to take home
- Customize a birdseed wreath for a special occasion by using molds in shapes. Use a drinking glass, a small can, or other round object to create a void for the ribbon. 

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life.

Thank you for stopping by to spend time in my garden.  If you liked the article, please take a moment to let me know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.

Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever!
-Debra

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Fall blooming flowers and plants

by Debra Anchors

Never settle for a boring autumn garden! Whether transplanted into your garden beds or positioned in decorative pots at your door, a dull and uninspired fall display is very easily avoided.

The selection of cool-season, blooming annuals that you can plant in September and October is practically limitless. Visit your favorite garden center to find immediate and beautiful autumn blooms for your garden.  Here is a list of just a few suggestions.  Please share your favorite fall bloomers with our novice gardeners in the comments. We can all use some variety!

Geranium colors include pink, blue, white, and purple. Most geraniums bloom in midsummer, although some species will bloom in spring and fall.

Mums are the royalty of the fall garden and a sure sign that summer is breathing its final breath of the year.

Violas can tolerate some freezing temperatures, so are a very good choice for adding autumn color to your garden.

Pansies are hardy annuals with flowering ‘faces’. They offer colorful perfect in your garden in early spring and fall. Pansies are available in wide color choice. This is the perfect plant to pair with violas.

Ornamental Kale is available in purple and in white. This variety of kale is bred as a decorative plant, and although it is edible, it doesn’t taste as good as kale grown for food.






If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life.

Thank you for stopping by to spend time in my garden.  If you liked the article, please take a moment to let me know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.

Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever!
-Debra

Did you like this post? Please recommend it to other readers by selecting the G+1 box, below.