Here you go

10 Great Gifts for Gardeners Part 1

With Christmas just around the corner, I thought Id make a list for Santa - I hope shes reading...but if youre looking for gifts for the gardener in your life, or need some inspiration as to what to add to your list for Santa, Ive got just the thing(s) for you...

1. Bird Feeder
I first saw these Bird Feeders at the I Heart Market in Durban. They come as a do-it-yourself kit, with everything you need to make your feeder right in the box. The feeder stands 18cm high by 16cm across, and can be hung from a tree or pegged on a broom handle. The kit includes a stack of little signs to bling your feeder once its assembled.



2. Leafsnap App
Well this is not quite as helpful for us South Africans (being developed for American users), but Im putting it on the list anyway. More in the hope that something gets developed for South African budding botanists. The name says it all - take a picture of the leaf of an unidentified tree, and using images and algorithms, the app will identify the tree for you. How amazing is that! Or maybe Im doing myself out of a job?

 
3. Ornate Spades by Master Artist Cal Lane
These spades are not very practical, but I think Form used these to bury Function in a shallow grave. As is the case with so many beautiful things - I love the contrast she creates with her work.



4. Sasol eBirds of Southern Africa iPhone App
Yes, another app, but youll love this if youre a big twitcher...no, nothing to do with coffee...If you enjoy the classic bird book, then youll love this app. Its a perfect gift for avid birders or even just for casual spotting in your garden. With images, distribution maps and text descriptions for over 950 bird species found in the Southern African region, its a perfect tool to use with your iPhone, Blackberry or Android.


5. A Pile of Compost
A slightly eccentric gift to be sure, but no gardener would look a gift horse in the...er...manure maker. A load of manure or well-rotted, weed-free compost is like gold to a gardener. If youre in Durban, you can order truckloads from Allgrow or Gromor.


6. Deluxe Weather Station