12 Days of Gardening Gifts: Day 12, Planthropology

Finally we reach the final day of this gift extravaganza. I almost thought I wasn't going to make it. I am sorry I haven't been visiting your blogs recently, but hopefully after Christmas I will have lots of time to catch up. I've had a lot of fun with this series and I hope you have too. Please know that I wish you and yours a very Happy Holiday season. Now, onto the gift selection.

"Planthropology" is the latest book by Ken Druse, and it's one that I'm sure any garden lover will enjoy. Planthropology is a word he made up to describe the study of plants and their particular history. In this book he shares with us scientific facts, myths, controversies, anecdotes, and good old fashioned garden wisdom. And lots of great pictures to boot.

So if you are looking for that last minute gift for someone else or yourself, you can't go wrong this this book. List price is $50. Amazon.com has it for $31.50.


Other posts in this series
Day One, Amaryllis
Day Two, Jasmine
Day Three, Give-A-Tree Cards
Day Four, Bonsai
Day Five, Hand Lotion
Day Six, Tabletop Tree
Day Seven, Magazines
Day Eight, Garden Gnomes
Day Nine, Stuff for your Vegetable Garden
Day Ten, Whimsy
Day Eleven, 10 Year Gardening Journal

12 Days of Gardening Gifts: Day 11, 10 Year Journal

Warm Hanukkah Wishes to those celebrating today!

When I choose the 10 year journal as the gift for Day 11 of this gift extravaganza, I was thinking of a regular journal, not specific to gardening, but one that could be adapted to gardening. However, while searching on the internet, I did find a 10 year gardening journal! Exactly what I wanted for this gift.

Lee Valley Tools is where I found this gem of a journal.

Because there description says it perfectly, I have copied it here. The journal costs $39.95 and can be started at any time.

"Because you will want to remember your gardening triumphs (and occasional setbacks), A Gardener's Journal is set up as a ten-year perpetual diary, which you may begin at any time.

In the diary section, one page is given to each day of the year, and each page is divided into 10 sections – more than enough for 10 years of personal jottings. In addition to the diary pages, there is also a section on such gardening techniques as composting, digging garden beds, tree care, soils, and garden tool maintenance, to name but a few. We also provide reference material and numerous charts.

There are several pages to record your inventory of perennials, more to record sketches of your garden, yet more to list plantings and harvestings, etc. In all, you will find 544 pages, most of which you can write upon. (An interactive gardening tool?) This format is designed to help you plan your way through years of gardening. Also, for your enjoyment, we have included intriguing notes on the history of plant lore, culled from arcane and often surprising sources.

Hardcover, Smyth sewn, and protected by a sturdy cloth binding, A Gardener's Journal is both a useful reference and your companion for gardening adventures. Measures 9" x 11". Published by Lee Valley."

Other posts in this series:
Day One, Amaryllis
Day Two, Jasmine
Day Three, Give-A-Tree Cards
Day Four, Bonsai
Day Five, Hand Lotion
Day Six, Tabletop Tree
Day Seven, Magazines
Day Eight, Garden Gnomes
Day Nine, Stuff for your Vegetable Garden
Day Ten, Whimsy

12 Days of Gardening Gifts: Day Ten, Whimsy

We're moving right along in this gift giving series. For Day 10 we are headed into the world of whimsy. And Plow and Hearth is just the place to take us there.

Look at this adorable Elfin Door, perfectly decorated for the holidays. Your garden fairies and elves will appreciate a portal for getting between their worlds.

Elfin Christmas Door - $12.95 on sale for $9.99. 7 1/4" x 8" H.



This is not something I would ever see me having a use for but it does qualify under the heading of whimsy. Does anyone use bush covers like this? You'll have to let me know.

Snowman Bush Cover - $19.95. In their words "Bags made of special non-woven Frost Protek™ polyester fleece cinch easily around your bushes when the forecast calls for a freeze. Stick-on facial features let you give the snowman his smile."



Onto something that I actually own, these cute animal ornaments. Although they were among those items which stayed stored away this year, safely out of Lillian's hands.

Animal Ornament Set includes Skunk, Raccoon, and Beaver for $24.95



They also have plenty of garden statues which would also lend a bit of whimsy to your garden or your gift giving. Thus concludes our list of ideas for today.

Other posts in this series
Day One, Amaryllis
Day Two, Jasmine
Day Three, Give-A-Tree Cards
Day Four, Bonsai
Day Five, Hand Lotion
Day Six, Tabletop Tree
Day Seven, Magazines
Day Eight, Garden Gnomes
Day Nine, Stuff for your Vegetable Garden

12 Days of Gardening Gifts: Day Nine, Stuff for your Vegetable Garden

Being the 20th of the month, which is a day when several garden bloggers often give updates on their vegetable gardens, I thought I would pick today's gift to also center on the vegetable garden. You can go to Tina's blog, In The Garden, to find other vegetable garden updates.

There are many, many websites which sell gardening stuff. For this post, I visited Gardens Alive because I like how they are dedicated to the biological control of garden pests. Even though it may be hard to think about vegetable gardening when there is snow and ice in abundance, it's never to early to start planning for spring. Spring is just three months away, you know.

Jump Start Lighting System - $64.95
Just the thing to get those seedlings started. Especially if your windowsill space is at a premium.


Seedling Heat Mat - $39.95
For faster germination and higher success rate - pamper those little seedlings.


Mason Bee Nest - $39.99
According to the website "Mason bees are up to 90% more efficient at pollinating plants than honeybees. Plus, they don’t sting. You can encourage their presence in your garden by offering a place for the bees to nest. About 2/3 the size of a honeybee, mason bees nest in holes created by woodpeckers and beetles, so this similarly designed nesting habitat will invite these hard-working pollinators to nest and help pollinate your garden. Made of durable, decorative cedar, it is easy to hang. No assembly required; nest includes 10 nesting tubes and 2 replacement tubes. Comes with complete, easy to- read instructions."


And if you can't wait for spring to grow something tasty...

The Portabella Mushroom Kit - $39.95
Everything you need is provided in the kit and it produces in 3-5 weeks. Just add water and place in a cool, dark location, such as a basement.



Other posts in this series
Day One, Amaryllis
Day Two, Jasmine
Day Three, Give-A-Tree Cards
Day Four, Bonsai
Day Five, Hand Lotion
Day Six, Tabletop Tree
Day Seven, Magazines
Day Eight, Garden Gnomes

12 Days of Gardening Gifts: Day Eight, Garden Gnomes

On the subject of Garden Gnomes, I know people either run hot or cold. I happen to like these industrious and sometimes mischievous looking imps placed sporadically throughout the garden. Mine inhabit the vegetable and herb garden. Although I have to admit, they did take some getting used to, I am now a fan. But despair not, for if you don't like gnomes for your garden or they don't fit into your gardening gift giving scheme, there will be another gift idea tomorrow.

According to Wikipedia Garden Gnomes were first manufactured in Germany in the mid-1800's and the terracotta gnomes were made for people to enjoy the local myths that gnomes helped garden at night. Garden gnomes were first introduced to the UK in 1847 at Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire. Only one of the originals survives and is insured for one million pounds. Garden Gnomes have endured many pranks and kidnappings as well as exclusion from some of the more prestigious garden clubs and events.

Thanks to the internet, I was able to locate Kimmel Gnomes. Their gnomes are not mass produced but are handmade and cast from rare 19th century antique gnomes and from original sculptures by Welsh artist Candice Kimmel. They are glazed inside and out for a frost resistant finish. They are made in the U.S.A. and are outdoor safe and UV protected. Although it is past their ordering date for Christmas delivery, I still had to include them in my gift series because they are everything that the mass produced plastic, tacky gnomes are not.

All descriptions and photos are from Kimmel Gnomes.

Forest 12" green gnome with free mushroom. Regular price $89.95, On sale for $59.95
Forest is a classic gnome. He is handmade in Stoneware pottery and is glazed on the outside and inside so may be placed outside all year round with zero maintenance. A fantastic, large, robust gnome full of character.




Harold is a shelf sitter gnome with a grasshopper. 7" x 7" x 4 1/2" - $69.95


Mr. and Mrs. Gnome, set of two 9" gnomes. Regular price $84.95, On sale for $49.00.
Mr & Mrs Gnome have been married for 500 years and they're still smiling! A beautiful gnome couple that will bring a ray of sunshine to any home and garden.


And you can't forget your gnome accessories.
Set of Three Round Cap Mushroom Spikes, 5" to 6" tall - $24.95.
Life-sized clay mushrooms are designed to look like they are growing out of the ground. Use to accent your gnomes. Set of 3.



Other Posts in this Series:
Day One, Amaryllis
Day Two, Jasmine
Day Three, Give-A-Tree Cards
Day Four, Bonsai
Day Five, Hand Lotion
Day Six, Tabletop Tree
Day Seven, Magazines

12 Days of Gardening Gifts: Day Seven, Magazines

We all have them, probably piles of them. I know I do and I just pulled one from my stash that's dated 2003. But for Day Seven of this gift giving series, I think Gardening Magazines is just the thing. If you have a favorite that you know the giftee doesn't already receive, maybe you would want to give a subscription. Or if you aren't sure of their taste in magazines, you could pick out a few and give the latest copy of each. A couple of magazines stuffed in a stocking along with the fixings for some hot cocoa would make a delightful gift to be enjoyed by the fireside on a cold winter's night. And winter is the best time for catching up on the latest trends in the gardening world.

Currently I don't subscribe to any magazines, but here are a few that I've subscribed to over the years. Please let me know what your favorites are in the comments. Maybe one or two of them will find their way into my stocking this year.

Horticulture - 6 issues for $19.95. Classic magazine with lots of design and plant info.

Gardening How-To - You receive this magazine when you become a member of the National Home Gardening Club. I believe the magazine is bimonthly and that dues are $1/month, if I'm reading the info on the website correctly. I was a member a few years ago, and if I remember correctly, you could also sign up to test new products. I was sent a type of plant food to test.

Taunton's Fine Gardening - 6 issues for $29.95
This is a bit pricey which is why I don't subscribe all the time but Taunton's Fine Gardening and Taunton's Fine Cooking are two magazines that I LOVE. If you've never read them, you should treat yourself and check them out.

Garden Gate - 6 issues for $20. In Garden Gate you'll find plant info and design info but not one ad. I love that.

Birds & Blooms - 6 issues for $14.98. If you love to garden and watch the birds and butterflies this is the magazine for you. Tons of reader input and ideas. And I don't know if it is still this way but when I subscribed there were no ads.

Backyard Living - 6 issues for $14.98. I think this is published by the same people as Birds & Blooms. It covers gardens, grilling, recipes, and weekend projects. Again, with lots of reader input and ideas and my issues don't have ads.

That's what's in my magazine bin. What's in yours that you would recommend?

Other posts in this series:
Day One: Amaryllis
Day Two: Jasmine
Day Three: Give-A-Tree Cards
Day Four: Bonsai
Day Five: Hand Lotion
Day Six: Tabletop Tree

Intermission

I decided to take a break from the 12 Gift series today and give you a brief intermission. Here are some pictures of our tree and some of my favorite ornaments. Of course, there are just a small number of ornaments on the tree this year as it had to be able to withstand Lillian's grasp. But the Little People Nativity Village under the tree and the trains seem to divert her attention from the tree, so there hasn't been any damage to report so far.

This ornament is made from Christmas Cards. It was one of several my girlfriend and I made one year.

I cross-stitched this Santa.

This is one of 12 that my Mom cross-stitched for me. Each is a different Christmas carol. She made a set of 12 for each of her 8 children. That's a lot of x's.

This is one of my ornaments from Royal Copenhagen that I bought when working in Denmark. The heart is a reoccurring theme in their ornaments.

Lillian's having fun playing with her village.

Here Lillian has gathered up all the train cars for some reason.