Books such as "Common-Sense Pest Control," "The Photographic Encyclopedia of Roses" and Sunset's "Western Garden Book" provide valuable information and make fine Christmas gifts for gardeners.
Christmas shopping can be a struggle. Crowds and traffic range from frustrating to antagonistic. I have resolved this dilemma in part by choosing garden-related gifts where appropriate. Nurseries are a relaxed and enjoyable place to shop right now and don't have the serious problems of other shopping locations.
At the outset, I feel obligated to remind readers that garden gifts are not for everyone. A friend told me of his experience of buying his wife a leaf rake for Christmas. Needless to say, she was less than amused. Although a rake might not be the best choice for your romantic interest, there are many appropriate gifts that will delight most gardeners.
Garden tools are certainly near the top of the list. Those that are well-made are always appreciated, and prices range from a few dollars for a trowel up to hundreds or thousands of dollars for shredders, chippers, mowers or tractors. I have found fiberglass-handled tools such as a digging forks or shovels to be very useful. Although the initial price of these fiberglass-handled tools seems a little steep, they are a lifetime investment for home gardeners and are made to withstand the abuses of commercial work. Given the number of shovel handles I have broken as I have gardened, they are certainly well worth buying. High-quality pruners, either the large loppers or small hand shears, are also appropriate.
To be useful, a tool needs to be the size and shape that the gardener can use and handle and be something he or she really needs. It may be better to find a replacement for a favorite, worn tool that has received significant use than to buy a new, improved, super- deluxe garden widgetmaker that may never be taken out of the shed.
Another category of garden gifts are plants and related materials. Whether they are indoor plants that are purchased now or gift certificates for plants purchased later, they will always be appreciated. Few gardeners can withstand the temptation to have just one more shrub, one more perennial or one more variety of seed for their garden the following year.
Garden books are always a welcome addition to the library. Each year hundreds of titles are published, and it is difficult to choose the best. Realizing every gardener has different interests, I offer my observations and opinions of books I have found useful this year.
At the top of my list is still the Sunset Western Garden Book by Sunset Publishing. Although I suspect I use it so much because of habit, I still turn to this book more than any other. It is an excellent plant encyclopedia and has good basic growing information. It is widely available at most garden centers or bookstores. Another book I have found very interesting is "Common Sense Pest Control" by William Olkowski, Sheila Daar and Helga Olkowski, published by Taunton Press. This book offers excellent alternative suggestions for pest control that are based on facts not testimonials.
Gardeners who like to diagnose problems will like the "Ortho Problem Solver, Home Owners Edition," published by Ortho Books in paperback and scaled down from the commercial version.
One of my favorite fruit books is "Western Fruits, Berries and Nuts" by Lance Walheim and Robert L. Stebbins, published by HP Books. It has excellent color pictures and descriptions of many varieties. Vegetable growers will enjoy "How to Select, Grow and Enjoy Vegetables" by Derek Fell, published by HP Books. "All About Vegetables," another Ortho book, is revised and updated for vegetables growing in the '90s. "Herbs, An Illustrated Guide," just published by Sunset, is sure to please anyone interested in this fascinating aspect of gardening.
For the tree lover, "Trees of Utah" by Sherman G. Brough and Darrell J. Weber, published by Bristlecone Press of Provo, is an excellent reference work on Utah native and ornamental trees. If you want to read about trees and their impacts in our lives, choose "North American Trees" by Gerald Jones, published by Reader's Digest Association.
Perennial growers will enjoy "Perennials," Volumes 1 and 2, by Roger Phillips & Martyn Rix, published by Random House. It has some of the nicest photography I have seen. "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Roses" edited by Mary Moody and Peter Harkness, published by Timber Press Inc., is a new authoritative work on roses.
Check your local garden center for many additional gift ideas. These welcome treats will keep the gardener placated through the winter and into the spring, when soil is finally visible to help the gardener get growing again.
- HOBBY GREENHOUSE, Wednesdays, Jan. 5, 12, 19 and 26, County Government Center, 2001 S. State, Room S1007-8 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Four-week course. Cost is $10. Must preregister by calling 468-3170. Designed for the homeowner who has or wants to build a hobby greenhouse.
Larry A. Sagers is a horticulturist with the Utah State University Extension Service.