Gifts For a Gardener or Homesteader

Pruners

Felco pruners are the industry standard for pruners. They are built to last with ergonomics in mind. Every gardener loves a quality tool, and these are a practical item that gets used nearly every day in the garden.

Sun Hat

For someone who’s outside for many hours a day, a sun hat is essential in protecting the face from the intensity of the sun. This one has a chin strap to help keep it in place when you’re running around your garden with dirty gloves or hands.

Weeder

I have two favorite hand weeders in the garden. One is this CobraHead rounded weeder/cultivator and the other is this Wilcox trowel that functions well in breaking up areas with hard soil or deep, thick weeds.

Seeds or Gift Certificate

If there’s one thing a gardener can never have too much of, it’s seeds. If you feel comfortable picking out some seed packets or a collection of seeds, it’s a gift that’s sure to put a smile on their face. A gift card is another great option for giving them a gift they’ll love and use.

Some of my favorite seed/farm tool companies include Bootstrap Farmer, Botanical Interests, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, and True Leaf Market.

Shoes- Clogs/ Boots

A gardener needs two pairs of shoes: clogs for quick trips out to the garden and boots for days that require a little more physical labor.

Greenstalk

As far as saving space and hands-off watering are concerned, these vertical planting towers can provide you with lots of food in a small space. They’re great for growing food in places where you otherwise wouldn’t be able to.

Watering Wand

Standard hose sprayers are great and all, but something that really upped my gardening game was a watering wand. It’s perfect for gently watering seedlings or delicate seedbeds while giving you a better angle for watering your bushes, hanging pots, and beds with ease.

Gloves

It’s difficult to find the perfect garden gloves, but I’ve found these nitrile rubber-coated gloves to be the most durable and versatile. They’re my go-to in the garden.

Plant tags

You can go as simple or ornate as you’d like with these. Sometimes it’s nice to give your garden a little pizazz, but I love the simplicity of these plant tags for seed trays. Larger decorative stakes would be welcomed in any garden as well.

Soil-testing Kit

Soil health is arguably the most important element of the garden. It’s crucial to know as much about the chemical makeup of your soil as possible to make the right decisions for your plants. This soil test kit provides you with a chemical and pH analysis along with recommendations for how to amend your soil.

Overalls

Overalls aren’t just for their “hardcore, rugged” looks. They’re extremely practical for working outside, and I don’t spend a day in the garden without them. Some of my favorite brands are Carhartt, Dickies, and Duluth Trading Co.

Heat Mats

Seeds love (and need) heat to germinate, and gardeners are always looking for ways to make sure their soil is at the right temperature. These heat mats are great for individual seedling trays, and they’ll help your gardener find greater success in the greenhouse (or basement or closet).

Grow Bags

I love my grow bags, and somehow my collection just keeps growing. Whether your gardener lives in a smaller space or has several acres, grow bags can always find use in the garden. They’re lightweight, portable, and natural air pruners. The sturdiest ones I’ve found are from Bootstrap Farmer, and you can choose from a selection of sizes and colors.

Harvest Basket/ Apron

The joys and struggles of gardening coalesce on harvesting day. Having a device to help gather all your homegrown food makes the job a whole lot simpler. Some gardeners like to use a harvest basket while others prefer an apron. Both would be welcomed by anyone harvesting fresh fruits and veggies.

Vase

If you have a garden, chances are you’re growing flowers. What better way to help a gardener appreciate that beauty than a vase? You might find luck at a vintage store or a local shop, but if you need something quick, you can’t go wrong with a simple & rustic vase.

Herb Hanging Rack

Using the natural elements to dry herbs and flowers is common on a homestead. A rack like this keeps the work condensed while providing ample airflow. For something with a little more style (if that matters to your gardener) check out a design like this.

Apparel

This one might seem obvious, but a gardener’s wardrobe largely consists of casual t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts/flannels, jeans/work pants, and overalls. Check out our store for unique and punny apparel for the gardener.

Calendar/ Planner

You can’t go wrong with a calendar or planner for the gardener in your life. Every year is another year of intense scheduling in the garden and around the home. Something like this would be good for a gardener/homesteader hoping to get some more guidance in their garden plan, while a more simple monthly/weekly planner would function well for a more experienced gardener.

Seed Storage Container

Gardeners have a library of seeds, and organization is key to making life a bit easier. This is my favorite seed storage container, and yes…it’s a photo organizer.

Egg Collector

If your homesteader has chickens, a part of their daily routine is collecting eggs. No one wants to be juggling eggs from the coop back to the house, so think about a wire basket or an egg-carrying apron to help in the daily task.

Books

Gardeners and homesteaders are constantly looking to learn new skills and gain more knowledge. Have you heard them talking about an interest in something new? Mushroom growing? Backyard animals? Growing with the seasons? There are endless books to buy, and it’s a challenge to make a short list….but, here are some I can recommend:

For Gardening: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook, Gaia’s Garden, Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden, The Beekeeper’s Bible, Four-Season Harvest, The New Organic Grower, and The Living Soil Handbook.

For Homesteading: Ball Complete Book of Preserving, The Modern Herbal Dispensary, The Art of Fermentation, The Art of Natural Cheesemaking, Welcome to the Farm, and The First-time Homesteader.

Dehydrator

When it comes to the preservation of fresh, homegrown ingredients, a dehydrator is a homesteader’s best friend. The all-star of dehydrators is the Excalibur dehydrator, but cheaper options that are still rockstars in the kitchen are those made by Magic Mill and Cosori.

Cast Iron Cookware

If you own a cast iron cookware set (or even just a single pan), you know the ease it brings to the kitchen. Free from harmful chemicals, cast iron is durable, versatile, and naturally nonstick. I don’t go a day without using one of our cast irons.

Food Storage Supplies

When you’re growing your own food (and often more of it than you can eat at one time), you want to be able to preserve it! A few favorites of a homesteader often include mason jars and lids (you can truly never have enough), beeswax wraps, and vacuum sealer bags.

Grain Mill

A gift any homesteader can appreciate is an electric grain mill. It makes quick work of grinding all kinds of grains and allows you to cook and bake with fresher, healthier grains.

Fermentation Supplies

A fermentation crock is a great gift for home cooks who love preserving fresh ingredients. Sauerkraut anyone? Fermentation weights can also be helpful for smaller fermenting projects like jars of salsa, and these fermentation lids make the fermentation process in general a whole lot more reliable.

Vacuum sealer

A vacuum sealer is a lifesaver for someone who is growing and preserving their own food. I love our Nesco vacuum sealer– it’s helped us tremendously in our efforts to save money by buying and growing in bulk.