What can I put in a gardening gift basket?

Giving a gardening gift basket is a great way to celebrate a green thumb in your life. With so many options, it can be tricky to decide what to include. Here are some quick answers about items you can incorporate into a creative gardening gift basket.

Seeds

Seeds are an excellent addition to any gardening gift basket. Make sure to tailor the seeds to the recipient’s climate and gardening interests. Some ideas include:

  • Vegetable seeds – Tomatoes, peppers, carrots, lettuce
  • Herb seeds – Basil, parsley, oregano, cilantro
  • Flower seeds – Sunflowers, daisies, pansies, zinnias

Opt for heirloom or organic seeds when possible. Present the seeds in resealable plastic bags or small paper envelopes with labels indicating the seed variety.

Gardening Tools

Mini gardening tools are perfect for gift baskets. Tuck in a hand trowel, cultivator, transplanting spade, or pruning shears. Look for tools made from stainless steel. You can also include gardening gloves in fun prints. Add a microfiber cloth for cleaning off dirty tools after a day’s work in the garden.

Gardening Books

Inspire more time in the garden with gardening books. Some top choices include:

  • Vegetable gardening guides for beginners
  • Flower gardening references with photos
  • Gardening technique books like square foot gardening
  • Books on garden design and landscaping

Opt for hardcover books that will withstand time spent outdoors. Write an inspirational note in the cover to personalize.

Planters

Include a small pot or planter in the gardening gift basket. Terra cotta, ceramic, wood, and metal planters all make lovely options. Make sure to include a drainage hole in the bottom. You can add a small bag of potting soil as well. For extra flair, plant a starter herb or flower inside the planter.

Gardening Signs

Personalize the gift with a miniature gardening sign. Looks for signs made from metal, wood, or stone. Some cute sayings to consider are:

  • “Bee Happy Garden”
  • “Mary’s Flower Garden”
  • “Tom’s Veggie Patch”

Paint or engrave the recipient’s name for a thoughtful touch.

Garden Flags

Mini garden flags also help personalize a gardening gift basket. Opt for weather resistant materials like burlap, metal, or polyester. Some ideas for flag sayings include:

  • “Home Grown”
  • “Farmer [Name]”
  • “Garden Sweet Garden”

Add a small flagpole or stake so the recipient can proudly display their new garden flag.

Gardening Apparel

Include some gardening fashion in the gift basket like gloves, a sunhat, or garden clogs. Opt for apparel in the recipient’s favorite color or prints they will love. You can also add gardening socks or a fun apron.

Bird Feeders/Houses

Encourage more feathered friends with bird feeders or houses. Look for mini versions perfect for gift baskets. Some ideas include:

  • Suet feeders
  • Seed feeders
  • Hummingbird feeders
  • Birdhouses
  • Butterfly houses

Make sure any feeders come with the first batch of bird food to get them started.

Hand Creams

Show care for hardworking gardening hands with specially formulated creams. Some ingredients to look for include:

  • Shea butter
  • Glycerin
  • Vitamin E
  • Tea tree oil
  • Lavender oil

The creams can soothe dry skin and help heal small cuts or blisters from yardwork. The relaxing scents will remind the recipient of their happy place – the garden!

Garden Stakes

Wooden garden stakes are handy for marking rows, tagging plants, and staking up flowers and vines. Include a bundle held together with twine or ribbon.

For added decor, paint or wood burn plant names, quotes, initials, or designs on some of the stakes.

Watering Can

A miniature watering can makes a quaint and useful addition. Opt for galvanized metal or a color that fits with the overall gift basket theme. The small size is perfect for watering seedlings or container plants.

Twine

Every gardener needs twine on hand for staking, trellising, and tying plants. Include a couple balls of all-natural jute or sisal twine in earthy tones.

Pruners

Help keep plants tidy with mini pruners perfect for snipping and grooming. Choose bypass pruners for live stems and anvil pruners for deadheading flowers. Add twine to tie them neatly together.

Garden Journal

Encourage record keeping with a monogrammed garden journal or notebook with weatherproof pages. The recipient can use it to keep track of plantings, garden plans and sketches, when vegetables are ripe, and yearly observations.

Kitchen Herb Growing Kit

For gardeners who also love to cook, include an indoor herb garden kit. Choose one with ready-to-grow pots of herbs like basil, cilantro, oregano, thyme, sage, and rosemary. Add a mister, plant markers, and quick tips.

Candles or Incense

Bring the scents of the garden indoors with candles or incense sticks in fresh botanical scents. Some ideas include:

  • Rose
  • Lavender
  • Citronella
  • Jasmine
  • Freesia
  • Basil

Arrange the candles or incense neatly tied with raffia or ribbon.

Tea Sampler

Feature garden-themed tea in the gift basket like chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm, or lemongrass. Opt for unbleached tea filters and include honey sticks or lemon slices to complete the tea experience.

Kitchen Utensils

Inspire more time creating delicious meals with fresh garden veggies with kitchen utensils like:

  • Vegetable peelers
  • Salad spinners
  • Herb scissors
  • Whisks

Monogram the items or arrange them neatly in a crock. They’ll love prepping just-picked produce.

Conclusion

The possibilities are endless when creating a tailored gardening gift basket. Focus on useful tools, protective gear, inspirational books, and personalized touches like monogrammed items, garden signs, or flags. Pair gardening essentials with soothing items like candles, tea, or hand cream for balance. With creativity and attention to the recipient’s unique interests, you can assemble a memorable gardening gift basket they’ll treasure.