Gift for Dad Who Gardens

[Anonymous]

My dad does tons of outdoorsy stuff (grows mushrooms, grows grapes for homemade wine, etc.). His birthday is coming up and I want to surprise him with some useful gardening/outdoor tools. Most of the "sets" and such are very feminine, and I know he already has nice pruning shears of various sizes and great gloves. Any suggestions from those in the know for particular items? (I can't keep a flower alive to save my life and have never had a yard, so I'm useless.)

[Anonymous]

Go to the garden shop at the National Cathedral. They have some really unusual things.

[Anonymous]

There's something called a Japanese Knife that's very versitile.
The one I have is from A.M. Lenard.
You can pretty much do anything with it.

[Anonymous]

Something to keep his tools sharp. I'd go to Stronsiders and see what they recommend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Something to keep his tools sharp. I'd go to Stronsiders and see what they recommend.

Or a certificate to a place that does this.

[Anonymous]

Magazine subscription? Fine Gardening is a magazine by Taunton Press, who do good hobby magazines (I subscribe to the sewing one).

[Anonymous]

Something from Gardener's Supply catalog. Lots of stuff that's not too feminine.

[Anonymous]

Go to Green Springs Center in Alexandria. Many native plants and gardening tools, including some mentioned

[Anonymous]

An earth box with a stand.

[Anonymous]

Here is something I bet he doesn't have (but it's not tools)

go to anniesannuals.com and you can get some plants and flowers that this side of the country never sees. As a gardener, it's always fun to have some beautiful thing that people ask about.

In particular, there is one thing there called "parrot's bill" in pink that is gorgeous (but that will require a year's wait until bloom). There are other things that would bloom quicker. Anyways, worth taking a look!

Oh, here's something…look for sweet pea, var. "Cupani" and read the history. Give him some of those plants and print out the history; he'll love it! They are the strongest smelling sweet pea, fyi. I've had them for years and even brought the seeds with me when I moved from CA (but that's another post involving a pet that ate the sprouts)

[Anonymous]

We got our dad a compost barrel.

[Anonymous]

Lee Valley Tools has an excellent catalog of products for keen gardeners.
Annies Annuals is a great place but a lot of the plants will struggle in this climate (from experience).
The compost barrel is a great idea. I once treated myself to some sturdy tomato cages from Texas Tomato Cages: they are phenomenal.
If he is into growing chile and tomatoes, then Cross Country Nurseries has an awesome selection and very reasonable prices.

[Anonymous]

I would be careful buying plants unless you know what your dad likes -- mine was really into natives so if we got him a non-native he wouldn't have wanted to plant it. So you might want to consider his gardening philosophy/values/interests.

Does he have a water garden? You could set him up with a small water garden, which is something I'd love.

Also, if he already has a compost bin would he like a vermiculture? Again, I'd love one but realize they're not for everyone.

Does he start seeds indoors? He might appreciate an indoor grow light if he doesn't already have one. You can even DIY something for him pretty inexpensively.

Also, you said he grows grape vines. Does he like beer? I have a friend who grows hops and then uses them when he brews beer. Perhaps your dad would enjoy that process?

Also, if you go to any of the nice nurseries you will likely find a helpful person who has some good suggestions. Behnkes, Merrifield, etc.

Good luck!