Choosing hobby-based gifts can be tricky, and choosing gifts for gardeners is no exception.
Hobbyists often have strong preferences for brands or materials. They already have the basics that are more accessible for the gift-giver.
Fortunately, it should be a good bit easier when that hobbyist is your partner. For one, because you know them so well. But also because you live with them, or at least are probably at their home pretty frequently. That makes it easier to know what they already have and what they might need.
And the great thing about buying gifts for gardeners for Valentine’s Day is that this is the time they’re really looking at stocking up for the growing season ahead!
So if you’re looking for a gift for the gardener in your life this Valentine’s Day, the timing is perfect. But if you still need an extra hand finding the best gifts for the gardener in your life, I’ve got you covered with this gardening gift guide.
Now, you’ll still need to think about the particular gardener in your life and maybe poke around for hints on what they need and want, but this list will certainly put you on the right track.
(Or maybe you’re just like me and suddenly forget everything you’ve ever desired when asked what you want for a gift-giving holiday. This one’s to help y’all out, too.)
Now let’s get down to it!
Essential Tools & Equipment
A Hori Hori
If you ask a group of gardeners what gift they’d most like to receive, 9 times out of 10, the top answer will be a good hori hori. A hori hori, also called a “gardener’s knife,” “soil knife,” or “weeding knife,” is a multipurpose gardening tool that was originally developed in Japan and is a favorite tool among the gardening community.
For beginner gardeners, the Fiskars Steel Garden Knife is a great entry-level tool, and Fiskars offers a lifetime guarantee on their products.
Plus, with the low price point (~$10), it’s easy for shoppers on a budget. You could also use it as part of a larger gift basket full of gardening supplies (in which case, be sure to check out our gathering basket recommendations below for the perfect container).
The Nisaku Original Hori Hori Namibagata, Barebones Ultimate Hori Hori, and Garden Huru Hori Hori Gardening Knife are favorites among gardeners. They’re still pretty damn affordable, but are a step up from the Fiskars linked above.
Nice Pruning Shears
A good general suggestion when buying supplies for hobbyists is to get them the sort of tool they wouldn’t usually splurge on for themselves, and nice pruning shears (really, nice gardening tools in general) absolutely fit the bill.
If you’re not sure exactly what type of shears your loved one needs, the Felco F2 Pruning Shears are a great general-purpose option. With that said, Felco has several different options for different hand sizes and tasks, so it might be worth browsing a little bit to see if a different option is best for your needs.
For example, I have teeny tiny, child-sized hands, so the Felco F12 Pruning Shears are on my wishlist.
Tool Organization
I can’t speak for every gardener, but I’ve definitely spent 20+ minutes looking before I manage to locate the exact tool I was looking for. Since then, I’ve gotten it together, thanks to some great tool organizers.
A rolling garden cart allows you to move more at a time and often come with built-in seats. Plus, they can be emptied and used to transport plants, soil, or containers if needed. Internal organization may be lacking, though.
On the other hand, handheld tool totes generally have pockets to keep tools straight and are easier to take from one place to another, but they don’t have as much storage volume as a cart.
Garden carts with large wheels work best for navigating uneven terrain, while tool totes with reinforced handles and multiple compartments make it easy to grab what you need and go.
Planters & Pots
Just about any gardener will agree that you can never have too many containers, and container gardeners will be especially enthusiastic about that. Pots and planters are always appreciated, but especially so when they’re beautiful or unique. Consider the gardener’s style when choosing.
For gardeners with more eclectic tastes, it doesn’t necessarily even have to be designed as a pot. Baskets, drawers, cooking pots, and more can be used as planters. Just make sure they have the necessary drainage.
Self-watering planters are particularly practical for gardeners who travel or have busy schedules. Lightweight resin pots that look like ceramic or stone are great for balcony gardeners who need to consider weight limits.
Pretty Plant Labels
Help your gardener keep track of what’s growing where with some nice-looking plant labels. There are tons of options available, so you can go with whatever fits your gardener’s tastes, whether that’s elegant, silly, eclectic, or something else.
Look for waterproof and weather-resistant options that will stay legible season after season. Speaking of which: for an extra-thoughtful touch, include a weather-resistant marker or paint pen designed specifically for writing on plant labels.
You can find lots of pretty plant labels on Amazon, but for some really gorgeous options, check out Etsy. If you’re a creative type yourself, you could even DIY some labels.
Comfort & Apparel
Waterproof Shoes
These can be dedicated gardening shoes or good old-fashioned rain boots.
Personally, I’m in the boot camp. If it’s wet enough for me to want waterproof shoes, it’s wet enough for me to want to cover at least my ankles. When it comes to boots, Xtratuf and Muck offer higher-end options, while Asgard is a solid budget option (and the brand I personally wear in the garden). Joules are a good mid-range option, and what I wore before I swapped to Asgard.
I’m not as familiar with clog options, but I know Asgard and Joules both offer them. The gardeners I know in real life who prefer clogs swear by Crocs or Sloggers, though.
By their nature, waterproof shoes don’t breathe well, so for extra points, throw in a pair of sturdy, absorbent socks too. I practically live in Darn Tough and Smartwool socks (when I’m not rawdogging it in my Chacos), and both brands make excellent gifts.
Gardening Gloves
Don’t want to cover their feet? How about their hands? A quality pair of gardening gloves can make hours in the garden so much more comfortable, and they’re something gardeners frequently need to replace.
Womanswork and Digz are great brands, but my personal favorites are Hardy gardening gloves and work gloves from Harbor Freight.
For general-purpose gardening, look for gloves that balance protection with dexterity.
For lighter work, like planting seedlings or harvesting vegetables, nitrile or rubber-coated gloves provide a great grip while still allowing you to feel what you’re doing. Heavier garden tasks will necessitate leather gloves.
Regular gloves that cover the wrists work fine for most gardeners, but if your gardener works with roses, blackberries, or other thorny plants, consider getting them gauntlet-style gloves that protect their forearms from getting scratched to bits.
Kneeler
Your gardener’s knees will thank you for this one, especially if their knees have seen better days like mine.
Garden kneelers provide cushioning for all those hours spent weeding, planting, and tending to low-growing plants. Many models flip over to also become a garden seat, which is perfect for tending raised beds or tasks that require sitting at ground level, and they often even offer tool storage on the side for extra convenience.
Depending on your giftee, you might want to look for kneelers with handles that make it easier to get up and down. Gardeners with mobility issues will especially appreciate these. Some models even have tool pouches attached to the sides for added convenience.
Apron
A gardening apron is one of those things that seems unnecessary until you try one, and then you wonder how you ever lived without it. The Roo aprons are particularly nice because they blend a gathering basket and apron in one, giving gardeners a place to stash their tools, seeds, and harvest all in one convenient package.
Look for aprons with multiple pockets of different sizes and adjustable straps. There are full and half-length aprons, so you’ll need to use your own judgement to figure out which your gardener will prefer.
Harvest & Preservation
Gathering Basket
A good harvest basket makes collecting your harvest so much easier, and can add a bit of whimsy, too! Wire baskets and colanders are particularly practical because they allow you to rinse produce right in the basket.
Woven wood or bamboo baskets are gorgeous and traditional, but plastic and metal are hardier and easier to clean.
Regardless of material, make sure the basket is sturdy enough to handle a heavy harvest of tomatoes or squash.
Canning Supplies
Help your gardener preserve their harvest with canning supplies. (You may even end up reaping the benefit of their canning!)
For a canning beginner, a basic canning kit includes jars, lids, rings, a jar lifter, a funnel, and a bubble remover. For more experienced canners, consider more specialty items like a pressure canner, decorative jars, or canning recipe books.
Dehydrater
Similarly, a dehydrator allow gardeners dry tomatoes, peppers, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even meats faster and more consistently than traditional methods like air drying.
Dehydrators are especially useful for gardeners who get overwhelmed during peak harvest season. They allow you to preserve large quantities in a pretty hands-off way. Sun-dried tomatoes, dried apple chips, fruit leather, vegetable chips, and perfectly dried herbs for cooking are all within reach.
Look for models with adjustable temperature controls and multiple trays. Excalibur and Nesco are popular brands among serious food preservers, but there are plenty of solid budget options too.
Plants & Seeds
Seeds
For the gardener who has everything, seeds are always a welcome gift. They’re consumable, so there’s no worry about duplicating something they already own, and there’s always something new to try.
Botanical Interests and Urban Farmer are both excellent seed companies. Both offer unique varieties you won’t find at big box stores. Heirloom and unusual varieties are often particularly appreciated by experienced gardeners looking to try something new.
Native Plants
Photo by Michael Hamments on Unsplash
Native plants are having a moment, and for good reason. They’re adapted to local conditions, require less water and maintenance, support local wildlife and pollinators, and help preserve regional biodiversity. For environmentally conscious gardeners, natives are an incredibly thoughtful gift.
The trick with gifting native plants is doing your homework. What’s native varies drastically by region, so you’ll need to research what’s appropriate for your gardener’s specific area.
Local native plant nurseries are your best resource. They can recommend species that will thrive in your recipient’s conditions and provide the most benefit to local ecosystems.
Other Great Gifts on Our Gardening Gift Guide
Hydroponics Kit
For the gardener who wants to expand their growing season or try something new, a hydroponics kit offers soil-free growing indoors. These kits range from simple countertop herb gardens to more complex systems for growing vegetables year-round.
This is a great gift for apartment dwellers with limited outdoor space or for anyone who wants fresh herbs available right in their kitchen. Look for kits that include everything needed to get started, including special hydroponics fertilizer.
Insect Hotel
An insect hotel provides shelter for native pollinators like mason bees, lacewings, and ladybugs. These structures have different-sized holes and compartments that various beneficial insects use for nesting and overwintering.
They can come in a huge range of sizes, so consider how much space your partner will be able to dedicate to an insect hotel.
You can buy ready-made insect hotels or, if you’re crafty, build one yourself. Either way, it’s a gift that keeps on giving by supporting the beneficial insects that help gardens thrive.
Hand Care
Gardening is hard on hands. Between the dirt, sun exposure, and rough work, gardeners’ hands need some serious TLC. Put together a hand care kit with a gentle soap that removes dirt without over-drying, a good nail brush, and a rich hand cream.
Look for products with natural ingredients and pleasant scents. O’Keeffe’s Working Hands is a cult favorite among gardeners for its healing properties, while Burt’s Bees and other natural brands offer gentle soaps and salves perfect for dirty, damaged hands.
IOU Garden Labor
Sometimes the best gift isn’t a thing at all. Offer your time to help with a big garden project, whether that’s building raised beds, spreading mulch, weeding, or hauling compost. Garden work is often physically demanding, and an extra pair of hands can make all the difference.
Make it official by creating a fun “coupon” or certificate, and be specific about what you’re offering. “Good for 4 hours of garden labor” or “Good for one raised bed assembly” shows you’re serious about following through.
Gift Certificates
When in doubt, gift certificates are always appreciated. Choose one for a local nursery or garden store, or even a hardware store. This lets the gardener pick out exactly what they need or finally splurge on that plant they’ve been eyeing.
Local nurseries are especially great choices because they support small businesses and often have staff who can provide expert advice. If you’re not sure which nursery your gardener prefers, ask around or check if they have any favorite shops mentioned on social media.
Wrapping Up Our Gardening Gift Guide
The best gardening gifts come from paying attention to what your gardener actually needs and wants. When choosing gifts for gardeners, don’t be afraid to ask subtle questions, snoop around their garden to see what they’re currently using, or even directly ask them what’s on their wishlist.
And hopefully, this gardening gift guide has given you a few ideas, too!
Remember, even small, thoughtful gifts can make a huge impact when they show that you understand and support someone’s passion. Whether you’re spending $10 or $100 (or just offering to help out), what matters most is choosing something that helps your gardener enjoy their time in the dirt even more.
