Great gifts for gardening enthusiasts

Birthday shopping for a gardener? You can make his or her wishes come true by shopping with his or her favorite hobby in mind.

Don’t ignore your gift recipient’s hobbies and passions. There are plenty of gifts that complement the gardening lifestyle. Here are a few ideas that will put a smile on the face of those green-thumbed family members and friends:

Make a statement

Upgrade a hobby wardrobe with gear that’s not only stylish but functional, too. If your gardener is still watering, hedging, weeding and working in the yard in an old pair of beat-up sneakers, consider a pair of garden clogs designed for the specific chores associated with working in the yard or garden. Easy-to-clean and waterproof, they make a great present. Or consider a utility apron in your gift recipient’s favorite colors or pattern.

Go bird-friendly

No garden is complete without visits from local wildlife such as songbirds. Help your gardener transform his or her garden into a wildlife refuge. A birdbath and birdfeeder will help attract birds and encourage them to linger in the garden longer. 

Unfortunately billions of songbirds are killed worldwide each year due to accidental collisions with window glass, according to the Wilson Ornithological Society. Consider a unique gift that makes the area safer for flying friends. A new high-tech liquid called WindowAlert UV Liquid can be applied to windows and contains a component that brilliantly reflects ultraviolet sunlight. This ultraviolet light, invisible to humans, takes advantage of the keen eyesight of birds and creates a visual barrier on windows to help prevent fatal collisions. “Wildlife can beautify a garden. But birds and other wildlife don’t appear by chance. They seek habitats that provide them with food, shelter, and safety,” says Spencer Schock, founder of WindowAlert.

Personalize

Make watering the plants a pleasure with a vintage watering can. You can add a personal touch by painting the side of the can with a unique design or your gift recipient’s name. Or buy a set of planters and give them the same painting treatment.