Gift ideas for a master gardener

Hi! I’m looking for a Christmas gift idea for my sister-in-law. She is taking a master gardener class through the state. She has her own garden where she grows herbs, loofahs, peppers, and more. She is really good at it and enjoys it a lot. She even has a pantry full of spices that she makes and experiments with. She likes making health shots from juices of herbs. One of my favorite things she makes is her candied peppers and jalapeño jam. I want to find a thoughtful gift that relates to her gardening. I thought about a personalized harvest basket. What are some ideas I could include in it? Any other fun suggestions? I would appreciate any help since I’m not a gardener myself!

A hori hori tool is something many gardeners don’t have, and it’s really useful! You might want to go for a tubtrug instead of a basket. It may not be as pretty but is way more practical. Also, the cookbook ‘Six Seasons’ by Joshua McFadden offers creative uses of herbs and vegetables without making it complicated. Another idea is a hand lens for looking closer at bugs and other small things. Inexpensive filler items could be twine and plant labels.

@Riley
I love the hori hori! It’s a great gift. I gave one to a friend along with a small bottle of vodka for making tinctures or whatever she wants to do with both gifts! :wink:

@Cairo
Haws watering cans are great if you’re looking for a luxury gift.

@Cairo
Lee Valley Tools ships worldwide. I agree with this suggestion.

Cute overalls from Duluth Trading Company would be a nice idea.

Nyx said:
Cute overalls from Duluth Trading Company would be a nice idea.

Just a heads up though, they fit only certain body types. I’ve tried many and they always give me a wedgie. They look super cute, though.

@Parker
I would second the Duluth overalls if they’d work for her body type. They have a specific gardening pair that are great, and sometimes you can find them on sale.

Nyx said:
Cute overalls from Duluth Trading Company would be a nice idea.

If you want something a bit pricier but really good quality, Dovetail makes fantastic overalls.

Felco #2 pruners are a must. Mine have lasted over 25 years, including 10 years of use as an estate gardener. Also, Atlas 370 garden gloves and a Fiskars 200S hand weeder are great tools to have.

Corey said:
Felco #2 pruners are a must. Mine have lasted over 25 years, including 10 years of use as an estate gardener. Also, Atlas 370 garden gloves and a Fiskars 200S hand weeder are great tools to have.

I agree, Felco pruners are fantastic. I love mine.

@Spence
You meant your last pair, right? As long as you don’t lose them.

Corey said:
Felco #2 pruners are a must. Mine have lasted over 25 years, including 10 years of use as an estate gardener. Also, Atlas 370 garden gloves and a Fiskars 200S hand weeder are great tools to have.

Third for Felco. I’ve had my pair for 25 years, and another 10-year-old anvil pair. They are very tough, and you can replace the parts, which is great.

Corey said:
Felco #2 pruners are a must. Mine have lasted over 25 years, including 10 years of use as an estate gardener. Also, Atlas 370 garden gloves and a Fiskars 200S hand weeder are great tools to have.

Came here to say this. Figure out what size Felco she needs and get her a pair. She’ll love you for it.

It can be tough to buy gifts for someone’s hobby since they might have very specific preferences.

Those Felco pruners above are really nice.

As boring as it sounds, you might consider a gift certificate to her favorite nursery (not just a garden center, but a true nursery) or take her on a trip to one so she can pick something she wants.

Maybe she doesn’t need a physical gift but would enjoy a day together at a native plant garden or an arboretum. Experiences make great gifts.

Some nice gloves would be a hit. Get the thin plastic ones for dirt work, as they tend to tear. Plus, some leather or faux leather ones for using tools and protecting against thorns.

A good sun hat in any preferred style would be perfect.

You could also consider giving her a new tool that she doesn’t already have, and something a little nicer than she’d typically buy for herself.

Check out Sow True Seeds; they have a great hand weeder. I also like a bucket organizer for a 5-gallon bucket. I use it to store my tools and also have room for a thermacell—add a string holder to it, and you’ve got a fantastic gift, in my opinion!

@Noor
Do you have a link for this bucket organizer?

Parker said:
@Noor
Do you have a link for this bucket organizer?

I found a tool holder that fits like a skirt on a 5-gallon bucket at Home Depot.

@Noor
Link, please.