KEEP THE HOLIDAY EVER GREEN

With gardening the No. 1 hobby in the U.S., there’s a good chance you have a gardener on your holiday list.

With the dizzying array of products on the market, buying the perfect gift can be daunting. What makes a good gardening gift?

Ask most gardeners and they’ll tell you that a few characteristics are important: The product should be easy to use and not too time-consuming. And it should either be practical or beautify the garden.

We asked local gardeners where they’re hoping their gift-givers will shop. Here are some of their wishes:

Denman & Co. in Old Orange (401 W. Chapman Ave., [714] 639-8106) carries a wide variety of unique garden tools. Some favorites include the ball weeder, which helps dig out pesky dandelions and other weeds that have long tap roots ($19-$42). Another practical gift is the thorn stripper, for easily removing thorns from cut flowers ($6-$12).

Prevent messy clean-ups inside the house by getting the gardener in your life Birkenstock garden clogs ($44-$60). These waterproof, polyurethane clogs are easy to slip on and off at the back door.

The gardener who seems to have everything might appreciate the Artistic Watering sprinklers ($240). These solid brass sprinklers hook to the hose and provide a mesmerizing water display. They come in three designs.

If the gardener complains about not being able to find his or her favorite plants at local nurseries, get Garden Catalog Profiles by Norell Software Inc. ($41, https://www.norellsoftware.com). The easy-to-use software program indexes 1,100 specialty mail-order companies and 380 nurseries. Nursery profiles contain a description of catalogs and how to request a catalog, background information and customer service policies.

Garden Gals produces a line of small-scale, lightweight garden tools specifically designed for women. The Deluxe Mini loppers ($20) feature lightweight, easy-to-hold aluminum handles with a lavender-colored rubber grip. Don’t let the pretty looks fool you, though. They cut just as well, if not better, than their heavyweight counterparts, and are a great gift this time of year when pruning chores abound.

Garden Gals lightweight bypass pruners ($14) are not only designed for small hands, they’re also perfect for senior gardeners, because their molded grip lessens fatigue on hands and wrists. The blades are stainless steel, so they won’t rust.

You might consider throwing in a pair of lavender and gray heavy-duty canvas gardening gloves ($5), made with a durable leather palm to protect hands from dirt, scrapes and cuts. Many Garden Gals products can be found at various Wal-Marts, or visit the Web site at https://www.gardenpals.com.

Gardener’s Supply Co. is a mail-order retailer that carries a variety of gardening products ([800] 955-3370 or https://www.gardeners.com) such as the Ultimate Lounger recliner for indoor/outdoor use ($175). This has a trampoline-like suspension system that distributes weight evenly. It adjusts from sitting straight up to lying fully extended and has a padded headrest for extra comfort. It folds up easily for quick storage.

The Gardener’s Supply Never-Dull scissors, guaranteed to stay sharp for a lifetime ($18). The Red Petals wind chime creates a soothing, constantly changing melody ($55). Or for a different sound, try the bamboo chimes, which resemble horse hooves hitting the ground ($20).

Add a designer’s touch to the garden with the stained-glass garden stakes made of forged iron and handmade glass, which sparkles in the sun. They come in amber, red or blue ($35).

Bird lovers may appreciate the Bird Beakin’ birdhouse, which resembles a Maine lighthouse ($60). Made of stainless steel and polyethylene, it has a waterproof gasket that keeps birdseed dry when it rains. There are four perches, and the house holds more than a quart of birdseed.

If the gardener in your life loves plants but doesn’t have the sunlight necessary to make plants happy, get him or her the Smart Plant Care System ($40). This full-spectrum light not only turns on and off automatically and can simulate the seasons, it has a moisture sensor alert that lets you know when the plant needs water.

For gardeners who want a clean-shaven lawn, Edge-A-Lawn ($33) is a gardening tool that looks like a pizza cutter but is designed to quickly trim a lawn’s tattered and uneven border, leaving behind a crisp, clean edge. It’s so maneuverable, you can use it to get into close places not open to edgers, such as around flower beds and in corners ([800] 533-7027 or https://www.edgealawn.com).

Arbor Edge ($6-$8) is a one-piece tree guard and edging system that is easy to install. It’s made from durable ultraviolet-resistant polyethylene plastic and protects trees from trimmer and mower damage. It also helps to prevent weeds and grass from growing around the trunk and collects water and distributes it to the roots ([800] 666-8191).

Many gardeners know that few things are better for the garden than beneficial insects. Surprise the gardener in your life with some live “good” insects and friends of the garden such as earthworms, decollate snails, ladybugs and praying mantis. Beneficials can be found or ordered through most high-quality nurseries.

For the busy gardener with limited time, or for young gardeners, there is a special garden kit. NK Lawn & Garden carries a wide variety of inexpensive, easy-to-use gift kits such as the Mini-Greenhouse, a complete plant starter kit containing six terra-cotta mini-pots, a reusable plastic greenhouse, seeds, soil and instructions ($5). Some popular varieties include Flowers for Hummingbirds, Flowers for Butterflies, Cactus, Herbs of Mexico and the new Hot Pepper collection.

Another easy-to-use, fun kit is the Windowsill Garden ($10). The kits have containers, seeds, soil, instructions and a greenhouse. Favorite kit varieties include African Violet, Geranium, Miniature Rose, Scented Basil and Kitchen Herbs.

If your gardener likes to eat what he or she sows, get a Kitchen Crop Sprouter ($13). This attractive plastic, dishwasher-safe sprouter circulates water evenly over the seeds, producing healthy, nutrient-rich sprouts in two to five days. The removable, stackable trays enable you to grow up to three crops simultaneously and at varying stages.

For the outdoors, NK Lawn & Garden has Nostalgia Wildflower Seed in Collectible Tins ($9) that come in four exclusive mixtures: Fragrant Meadow, Hummingbird & Butterfly, Songs From the Garden, and Wildflower Mix. After planting, these tins can be used for whatever the owner wishes, such as storing dried flowers or seed.

Find NK Lawn & Garden at Armstrong Garden Centers, HomeBase and Wal-Mart, or call and ask for a retailer (800) 517-1151, Ext. 2989, or go to https://www.nklawnandgarden.com.