2023 Gift Guide for Central Texas Gardeners

Lakeway and Central Texas gardeners are a special breed. They are passionate about their plants and they love to spend time outdoors. But finding the perfect gift for a Lakeway gardener can be tough. That’s why we’ve put together this list of gift ideas that are sure to please even the most discerning green thumb.

Smart Garden Tech Toys

Central Texas gardeners are always looking for ways to improve their gardens. That’s why smart garden gifts are always a popular choice. Here are a few ideas:

• Lettuce Grow Farmstand: The Farmstand Nook from Lettuce Grow is a self-fertilizing, LED-lit, hydroponic system allows you to grow fresh herbs, vegetables and flowers all year long.
• Rachio Rainbird Smart Irrigation Controller: This smart irrigation controller uses weather data and real-time soil moisture readings to adjust watering schedules automatically.
• Rain Point Smart 3-in-1 Soil Moisture Meter: This smart soil sensor kit includes a moisture sensor, temperature sensor, and light sensor. It can be used to monitor soil conditions in your garden and send you alerts when your plants need to be watered.
• Katchy Smart Mosquito Trap: This smart mosquito trap is a great way to reduce the number of mosquitoes, gnats or fruit flies in your house. It uses UV light to attract mosquitoes and then traps them in a vortex.

Practical Garden Gear

Central Texas gardeners also appreciate practical gifts that can help them make their gardening easier. Here are a few ideas:

• FELCO 2 Classic Bypass Pruner: Lopping, pruning, and deadheading are three of the great joys of gardening, and a good pair of pruners is essential to get the job done. And with a little TLC (don’t put them away wet and dirty), they might just last forever. If something does go amiss, Felco offers a lifetime warranty and replacement parts.
• Personalized Garden Tool Set: A personalized garden tool set is always a welcome gift. You can find sets that include a variety of tools, such as a trowel, cultivator, hand rake, and weeding fork. To make it extra special, you can have the tools personalized with the gardener’s name or initials.
• Wide Brimmed Garden Hat:  Sure, a baseball hat will do. And so would a hiking hat. But a stylish choice is this wide-brimmed straw hat. Because the brim is straight, it blocks the sun but not the sight line, and one needn’t worry about the hat flopping off, thanks to a comfy leather chin strap.
• Wilcox All-Pro 10″ Digging Trowel: This indestructible and razor-sharp trowel is a garden workhouse, ideal for planting, weeding, and breaking up soil. In truth it’s a multi-tool, working as a hand shovel when backfilling transplants, a blade when perforating a bag of soil or fertilizer, and an edger when tidying up rowdy borders.
• Foldable Garden Kneeler and Bench: A weatherproof garden kneeler is a must-have for any gardener who spends a lot of time working in the garden. It will help to protect the gardener’s knees from the hard ground and make it more comfortable to work for longer periods of time.
• Self-Watering Planter: A self-watering planter is a great gift for gardeners who want to make sure their plants are always watered. These planters have a reservoir that holds water and then slowly releases it to the plant’s roots. This way, the plant will always have the water it needs, even if the gardener is away for a few days.

Fun Garden Gifts

Central Texas gardeners also like to have fun in their gardens. Here are a few ideas for fun gifts:

• Gardening Sleeves:  A cute way to protect your exposed arms from sun, insects and thorns! Variety of patterns and colors to suit every gardener!
• Garden Statue: A garden statue is a fun and whimsical way to add some personality to a garden. There are statues available in a variety of styles, from animals to fairies to human figures.
• Birdhouse or Feeder: A birdhouse or feeder is a great way to attract birds to a garden. Birds will help to control pests and add some life to the garden.
• Seed Starter Kit: A seed starter kit is a great gift for gardeners who want to start their own plants from seed. These kits come with everything the gardener needs to get started, including seeds, pots, and potting mix.

Gardening Books and Magazines

Central Texas gardeners always love to learn new things about gardening. That’s why gardening books and magazines are always a popular gift. Here are a few ideas:

• “The Texas Tomato Lover’s Handbook” by William D. Adams: This book is a great resource for Central Texas gardeners. It covers everything from planting and caring for tomatoes to dealing with pests and diseases. Part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service Book Series.
• “Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs“: In this introductory guide, you see how easy it can be to make your own herbal remedies for life’s common ailments. 33 common healing plants are showcased including growing, harvesting, preparing, and using herbs in healing tinctures, oils, and creams.
• “The Old Farmer’s Almanac Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook“: This best selling book is a great source of information for Central Texas gardeners. It features articles on a variety of gardening topics, from landscaping and design to plant care and pest control.

Gift Certificate to a Local Nursery

If you’re not sure what to get, a gift certificate to a local nursery is always a safe bet. Central Texas gardeners love to support local businesses, and they’ll appreciate the chance to pick out their own plants or gardening supplies.

No matter what your budget is, there’s sure to be a perfect gift on this list for the Lakeway gardener in your life.