Christmas Whine- and a fine whine it is!
-Or gifts for the gardener-
Christmas is bearing down on us like a semi on I-80. At least how that's I feel, the halls are still not decked, and the tree, though in its place has not one light string on it. As much as I loath the thought of leaving town to shop, I need two bean bag chairs for the kids, (don't worry, it will still be a surprise, they don't read my column, there's no video attached) and I may have to get malled to find them. The long winter nights are occupied with parties, open houses, holiday kid programs and recitals, not to mention the malls open from 8 in the morning to 11 at night squeezing every dime out of us at this giving time of year. I would love to pull on my rubber boots, and go yank some weeds out of the sucking mud that is now my vegetable garden. Such are the longings of a harried gardener, displaced from the garden by the obligations of the season.
But don't despair, this too shall pass, and we can get back to what we love to do, and meanwhile, join the fray and shop for your favorite gardener, or drop some hints to old Saint Nick for the nifty garden goodies you've been eyeing. The gift ideas are abundant. Books, and CDs to challenge the mind, clothing to outfit the gardener for all weather conditions, tools to turn the soil, statues to adorn and catch the eye, feeders to hang, baths for the birds, fountains to burble, wind chimes to ring musically across the flower beds, and benches for a quiet garden respite. Oh, yes, plants go into the garden as well.
One item this year sure to come in handy are "Mud Gloves", they are cotton gloves coated in a vinyl covering, in an array of nifty colors, and sized small, med, or lrg. Wonder Gloves are another good winter gardening, looks a lot like a Playtex dish washing glove, but much sturdier and comes in an earthy terra cotta color. The best rose pruning glove is the gauntlet style kid leather glove. This glove offers protection from those thorns. Warm, dry hands make a happy gardener.
Good pruning equipment is a pleasure to work with, and Felco pruners continue to be the overall favorite amongst gardeners. Felcos come in different sizes, the #6 is excellent for a small hand, #8 is a standard size, which is fits most men. For a huge hand, #12 is best, it takes two hands for most women to use a #12. You can find them for left handers, and some with swivel heads to get into tough spots. Add some good loppers, one small, one large and a back cut saw, and you are ready to prune. When shopping for pruning saw, look for one that cuts when you pull back, hence the name, it is much easier to use, and makes a more controlled cut. The blade should lock in place when opened, to prevent accidental folding onto the hand.
Victorian gazing balls are the ultimate Christmas ornaments. A hand blown glass mirrored orb, on a stone or wrought iron stand, in a style to fit the garden and surrounding architecture lends a classic, finished look to the garden. They are available in 6" and 12" sizes, and come in varying colors, although silver is most popular. US made balls tend to be heavier glass, and the mirroring is unbothered by weather. There are some imported from Mexico, which are poorly sealed, and the mirroring can be affected by moisture inside of the ball. You may want to inquire about its origins when you purchase. I have used some of the weathered balls, however, in designs that require an aged look, and they lend themselves well to that situation. This is what a friend of mine calls the GPA-genuine patina of antiquity. GPA usually costs, and makes the price increase by at least one third.
A Can-O-Worms composting bin, and the promise of buckets of rich, worm castings for the garden is sure to warm the hearts of avid gardeners. In one end and out the other, worms live to eat, reproduce, and well, you know. A pound of banded red worms will produce 2 pounds of worm castings a day.
The Western Garden Book on CD for Apple or IBM continues to be the most useful of all Garden CDs I have found, and at a reasonable price of around $50.00. When you give this program your zip code, it will sort you the Sunset zone you are in. Further choose form the menu to choose plant type, i.e., trees, perennial, shrubs, groundcover, sun and water conditions, color and height desires and the program gives you a concise list of plants to fit the specs. It even pronounces the botanical name for you, and gives you a color picture. A definite must for the virtual gardener.
Valcore recycling has a very sweet offering available to Vallejo and Benicia residents. They have for sale Smith & Hawken Biostack composters for $53.00, or the Home Composter for $37.00. These are at cost prices and available as a service to promote recycling, and lowering the landfill biomass. They also have the wing-dinger, a compost turner, for $10.00. Call them at 55EARTH.
As the year draws to a close remember all of those who don't have the luxury of dawdling in the garden, or can't due to age, poor health, or problems too pressing to allow them to smell the flowers. If you can, hang a wreath on someone's door, or give a pot of pansies, a few packets of seeds to an elderly person, or a pot of herbs to a single mother too consumed with the needs of her children to manage time for herself. It is in these small and anonymous gifts of self is where we find the true meaning of Christmas.
Carol de Maintenon is a member of Garden Writers of America and owner of Benicia Garden & Nursery.
