3 Last-Minute Gifts for Gardeners

Looking for a last-minute gift for the gardener in your life? Personalized gardening kits can be made easily and inexpensively and will keep the spirit of the growing season alive through the winter. Here I present three ideas for last minute gifts for gardeners.

Terrarium Kit

Collect all the supplies – with the exception of the live plants – in a box, carefully wrapped with directions.

Materials to Make a Terrarium Kit

1 medium-sized clear glass jar with a cover
1/8 cup of drainage rocks (aquarium rocks work well and can be purchased in a variety of colors)
1 tsp. aquarium charcoal (available in pet supply stores)
1 cup of potting soil
1-3 miniature plants or plant cuttings with roots (spider and ivy plants work well)
dried moss and miniature woodland figurines.

Directions to Make a Terrarium

1. Line the bottom of the jar with drainage rocks.
2. Sprinkle charcoal on top of rocks.
3. Add potting soil and arrange plants.
4. Place moss around the plants and add figurines.
5. Mist the jar with water and cover.
6. The terrarium should be placed in an area that receives indirect sunlight and should be misted only if the soil becomes dry to the touch.  This gift can last years when maintained properly.

Zen Garden Kit

Put the following supplies in a box – with the exception of the air plant – and include the directions below.

Materials to Make a Zen Garden Kit

A shallow, decorative bowl
1 cup of sand
A small air plant
Rocks, smooth river stones and/or crystals
A stick of incense
Tiny Buddha figurine.

Directions to Make a Zen Garden

1. Empty the sand into the decorative bowl and arrange all other items as desired.
2. Use the incense stick as a tool to rake or create designs in the sand
3. If you choose to burn the incense, never leave it unattended.

Birdfeeder Kits

Materials to Make a Birdfeeder Kit

4-5 Large pinecones
1 cup of solid vegetable shortening (put it in a ziplock bag)
Twine
2 cups of mixed bird seed (in a ziplock bag)
plastic  knife.

Materials to Make a Birdfeeder

1. Wrap twine around the top of the pinecone and secure it in a loop for hanging.
2. Spread a layer of vegetable shortening over the pinecone and roll the pinecone in the birdseed mixture.
3. Hang outside in a tree near a window and watch the birds enjoy.