Since we are so close to Christmas I thought I would use this week’s post to give you some great gift ideas for the gardener in your life.  I use the tools highlighted below extensively in my own garden.  Not only are these tools extremely useful, they are extremely durable.  Plus, with the exception of the Felcos, they are all made by hand.  I really like that and I really like supporting artisans and local entrepreneurs.   FYI, I get nothing from any of these companies from recommending these products.  I am just a very satisfied customer that is happy to recommend these products to you.

My favorite pruner is the Felco F7. The F7 is $58 and worth every penny!

• Felco Pruners – I have heard some folks say that Felco pruners are expensive. While they may be a bit more expensive than the average pruner, their quality is head and shoulders above the others that I have tried.  I take my Felcos with me each and every single time I go into the garden.  On my most recent trip to the garden I used them to prune roses, clip crepe myrtle suckers, take cuttings from my geraniums and begonias and then clean up dead tomato and cucumber vines.  I also used them to cut twine, open several bags of compost and my chicken feed.  In short, this is the single most used tool in my gardening arsenal.  I like them so much that I have two pair.  I feel like the $58 that I paid for mine is the best money I have ever spent on a gardening tool.  If you are going to buy pruners for yourself (or as a gift) I recommend the Felco 7 Pruner (F7).  This pruner has a rotating handle that allows you to use the tool all day long and never develop a blister.
  

  The CobraHead Hand Hoe is the best weeder/cultivator I have found. At just $24.95 it is a useful gift that won’t break the bank.

• CobraHead Weeder and Cultivator – The CobraHead Hand Hoe is a marvelous little garden tool that is produced right here in the USA by a small family owned business.  My wife ordered it for me from another family owned business that we often shop with; Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.  I am not a big buyer of garden gadgets.  However, when I saw the CobraHead in the Baker Creek magazine I knew it was something worth having.  The CobraHead is a 13″ long, curved weeder, cultivator, planter, etc.  It has a thin, curved, football shaped head that allows it to work in even the heaviest clays.  When I go into the garden my Felcos are in my right back pocket and my CobraHead is in the left pocket.  I simply cannot garden without these two tools (ok that was a little melodramatic but I really do love these two tools!)
  

  This dibber and row marker is as beautiful as it is functional. If you would like to get this hand made gift for your own gardener you better hurry. Martha Stewert has picked this up as one of her holiday recommendations.

• StumpDust Hand Made Dibber and Row Markers– Here is something that is as beautiful as it is useful. My wife gave me the Combo Set ($45 at http://www.stumpdust.com/shop/) for my birthday.  I usually use my fingers to make my holes for planting.  I cannot wait to use this beautiful, handmade tool that is made from salvaged materials when it comes time to plant my beans and peas.
• MiteyFine Mister – While the CobraHead helps keep my weeds at bay, the MITEYFINE Mister helps me wash my bug problems away.  The MITEYFINE Mister is an ingeniously simple tool, made right here in Texas, that does a great job keeping aphids, spider mites and even some caterpillars at bay.  The MITEYFINE is a wand that attaches to your hose.  The tip at the end is specifically designed for pest control.  It applies just enough pressure to knock off the bugs without damaging the plant.  Plus, it uses no chemicals, which is really important to me.
• Soil Test – While this may not be the sexiest of gifts, it is one of the most important. Most gardeners I know (me included) always plan on doing a soil test.  However, they never seem to make it down to the extension office to get the bag.  Well, do it for them.  All extension offices have these in stock (or they will mail you one.  Click here to order).  Go get it for your gardener and wrap it up.  Once they open it take them outside and gather the sample with them and then take it back to the extension office.  I promise they will thank you!  A good test will cost about $25 and a great test will be about $100.  The information contained in the test results will make you a better gardener!

I share these posts on Our SimpleHomestead Blog Hop.  Be sure to stop by.  The “hop” has tons of great information from gardeners and homesteaders all over the world!