For many, gardening is a wonderful antidote to all the stresses of life, giving a chance to get some fresh air, step away from the ubiquitous screens, and even provide a bit of a workout. So, for Christmas this year, why not give the gift of gardening to a loved one? We’ve pulled together a list of 5 IDEAL gifts to give your green-fingered friend.
A MINI GREENHOUSE
We’re not all blessed with lots of backyard space. In such instances, making the most of compact spaces is the best way to enjoy the perks of a garden even if space is tight.
A mini planting tent is very easy to carry and move, meaning you can shift it around to suit the conditions of your garden and ensure it’s in a sunspot. It’s a versatile number, too; some gardeners like to put the mini greenhouse directly on the grass and put the potted plants in the greenhouse, but you can also put it on the soil of the garden bed to better protect the plants.
A SMART THERMOMETER
Plants need consistent temperatures to flourish, so a digital thermometer for easy reading and to check that everything is warm, cosy and constant makes for a great gift for the diligent gardener.
Give your green fingered friend peace of mind with a smart thermometer. This clever gift can monitor your pal’s greenhouse and transmit temperature information to an app on their smartphone, reassuring them that things are running smoothly, or warning them in time that there’s a disaster approaching. Plant based peace of mind, that’s for certain.
A GROW TENT
What’s a grow tent, we hear you ask? Well, put simply, it’s a fabric lined box with heat and light reflective material with ventilation which will let your green fingered friend grow plants indoors all year round.
They are especially ideal for growing fruits, vegetables and herbs indoors, allowing you to have complete control over humidity levels, meaning your plants can thrive.
We’re fans of the 4′ x 2′ x 6′ Grow Tent from the guys over at Quictent. This indoor mini planting tent material has passed SGS certification, will not release any harmful gases, and is 100% safe for animals, plants and humans. What’s more, the cover is made of a heavy duty fabric that is not easily torn.
Boasting a zipper door, it’s also convenient to open and close the entrance area, and the hook on the door is user-friendly. Finally, the frame of this grow tent is made of high hardness steel rods that can withstand 120 lbs. There are four additional nylon straps in the package for easy hanging of light lamps, humidifiers and other supplies.
A SMART GARDEN
Herbs are a useful thing to have to hand to make home-cooked dishes even more delicious. However, herbs can be hard to keep alive if you live in a small apartment. Enter the smart garden – ideal for the urban gardener.
Smart gardens are clever little things. They come with everything you need to build an indoor garden of your own, including pre-seeded plant plots. You simply insert them in water, turn on the LED lights and wait for them to grow. The Click and Grow Smart Garden is perhaps leading the way when it comes to smart gardens and is an affordable option at just under £120.
Read: How to grow your own herbs at home
A SOIL ANALYSER
The pH of your substrate or soil has a direct impact on what nutrients your crops can absorb confidently, and this level varies depending on your substrate or soil, and the type of fruit, vegetable or herb that you’re growing.
For any gardener, it’s a smart move to check the pH of your nutrient solution or soil regularly. Enter a soil analyser. These devices have probes that can be inserted into the soil to give you information such as pH, light levels, moisture, and nutrient composition. Get your green-fingered friend a pH test kit or a Bluelab pH pen to do this. It will no doubt become part of their daily routine when in the greenhouse watering and maintaining.
