It’s that time of year again! There are lots of products out there for gardeners, so there’s plenty of stuff to choose from.
If you’re struggling to come up with ideas on what to get your favorite gardener, or perhaps you just want to treat yourself, here are some options that I’ve found useful or that are on my own wish list.
Books
"" by Noelle Johnson, AKA the AZ Plant Lady. Published this year, with lots of helpful information based on Johnson’s years of experience.
"l" from the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Master Gardener program. This is the definitive textbook for Master Gardeners training in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. Great information on everything from basic botany to pest management, to composting.
People are also reading…
" by Desert Harvesters. Great recipes and tips on how to prepare our native foods like mesquite flour, Nopales, cactus fruit, and lots more.
"" by local author Wynne Brown.
""Â by William L. Bird, Jr.; a fun, detailed collection of historic photographs and illustrations featuring our beloved saguaros.
Practical garden gifts under $200
. These are eco-friendly and reusable, and will last for years. They cost $40 for a 30-cell tray and can be washed in the dishwasher.
. Keep your favorite gardener safe and healthy by keeping their skin out of the sun. Coolibar has some great options, including wide-brim hats, long-sleeve shirts and pants.
. These are around $150-$200 and are super handy to keep your yard from getting cluttered with hoses. is just over $150 and has 65 feet of hose that is retractable thanks to a spring mechanism.
for digging at ground level. This is a great back saver, particularly if you have dense or hard-to-dig soil. These usually run from $10 to $30. Pair with the knee pads below!
. An excellent tool for whenever you need to garden near the ground. These are a great knee saver, particularly for those of us whose knees are starting to show their age. Available in lots of colors and costs under $20.
. You may think that we don’t need these in our dry climate, but they’re actually great for protecting your ankles and calves from spines and thorns. They tend to run around $30 and come in lots of patterns and colors. Make sure they fit your gardener’s calves, though. You can also go with , but these offer less protection.
. A very useful tool to help your gardener with moving their tools around the yard. It’s on casters, and isn’t too heavy; it costs around $130.

Sturdy arches not only look good but offer a place for climbing plants to grow. Gardeners can plant flowering vines or food plants, depending on their preferences.
Expensive stuff (over $200)
. This Norwegian kit costs around $360Â and has everything you need to start growing herbs or other plants indoors.
. This will set you back around and . But it’s a great present for someone who doesn’t like to dig all of their planting holes by hand (and who does?). It makes digging through tough soil a breeze. It can also be fitted with other attachments for multiple uses. Use with the above–mentioned knee pads to save your back and knees.
. These are great for people who don’t like to bend over (or are no longer able to). They tend to be expensive ($250 and up) but they may be worth it if they allow someone to garden who otherwise couldn’t.
. These are lovely in the garden, particularly if you want to frame the entryway to a garden area or just dress up a pathway. You can grow your favorite vines over them for shade and color. They are usually over $300.
For more gardening information and articles on gardening in the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ area, !
Do you have any gardening topics you'd like to see covered in the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Garden Guide? Email me at dheusinkveld@tucson.com with your suggestions and questions. Thanks for reading!