Rumson, Fair Haven, Sea Bright

Nov 08, 2022

Gifts For the Gardener

By Lori Draz with Rachel Weston of the Shrewsbury Garden Club

America’s pandemic-inspired return to the garden has really taken root. The number of gardeners continues to grow, and there are more and more enthusiasts who would love something garden-themed in their stockings. The Journal got some expert advice from Rachel Weston, co-president of the Shrewsbury Garden Club. Weston is an avid gardener herself, so we can be sure that she is planting some good suggestions for all levels and types of gardeners. 

For the Flower Arranger 

Here’s a most unique gift that keeps on giving and giving: share a season of locally grown, fresh flowers with a 2023 Spring Blooms CSA from Little Blooms of Joy by Andreea, located at 733 River Rd. in Fair Haven. Here’s how it works: Once spring flowers begin to bloom in April, your gift recipient will receive five weekly bouquets featuring spring blooms that may include a variety of unique daffodils, tulips, lilacs, apple blossoms and other flowers, all for just $105. The flowers are locally grown and vary each week. You pick them up at Canyon Pass Provisions, 733 River Rd. in Fair Haven. Order online at LittleBitesOfJoy.com.  

Rachel also suggests the collection of reactive glaze ocean ceramic vases at West Elm in Red Bank for those who love flowers and the ocean. These vibrant, bright blue, elegant, earthenware vessels are all one-of-a-kind due to the glazing process used. Choose from bud, small, medium or large vases in prices that range from $28 to $104. Visit their store or online at WestElm.com

For the Book Lover 

Pick this up for people who often come home with an acorn or a curious seed pod in their pocket – “The Power of Flowers: Turning Pieces of Mother Nature into Transformative Works of Art” by Vicki Rawlins, $25. Using foraged materials such as leaves, twigs and flowers, Rawlins creates whimsical scenes and stunning portraits of women and woodland animals with her gathered materials and simple tools like tweezers and scissors. After photographing the ephemeral flower art, the materials are returned to nature. The book, art prints and a 2023 calendar of Rawlins creations are available at SisterGolden.com.

For the Gardener on the Go 

Most gardeners can’t resist dropping by to help a friend with a project or find themselves getting the urge to snip or prune while out and about. Give them a to-go tool bag with numerous pockets to stash pruners, a trowel, twine, seed packets and other essentials so they’ll be ready. Martha Stewart’s heavy-duty canvas garden bag with 6-inch exterior packets and 11-inch interior packets is the perfect satchel to transport tools, and it’s just $28 on Amazon.

For the Seed Starter 

For classic beauty, the Hudson Valley Seed Company grows heirloom and open pollinated seeds and packages them in brilliant contemporary art packaging. Choose from flowers, herbs and vegetable packets to slip inside a stocking, or opt for the Cut Flower Garden Gift Box or Pollinator Flower Gift Box. Both include five packets of seeds to grow armloads of blooms. It’s just $24.95 at HudsonValleySeed.com. 

For the Smart Gardener

Oh those aching backs and knees. Getting up from weeding on your knees can be a struggle. Weston suggests working smarter, not harder. Try a classic tool, a Craftsman 54-inch wood handle action hoe, also known as a scuffle or stirrup hoe. The looped steel blade can be used to push and pull while dealing with pesky weeds in garden beds. It is $27.98 at Lowes in Holmdel or Lowes.com  

For the Sun Lover 

Gardeners loves to spend hours tending their plots. Help them avoid a sunburn while looking oh so stylish in a Gigi Pip Isla wide-brim straw sun hat. This accessory is $96, available at Faherty in The Grove, Shrewsbury or FahertyBrand.com 

For the Tree Hugger 

Let her love of native oaks shine bright with an Oak Leaf Necklace in 18k gold plated brass by Janet Maven. Many of Mavec’s designs are inspired by the NJ farm she calls home. $140. janetmavec.com

For the Veggie Grower 

If they are growing tons of heirloom tomatoes and wheelbarrows full of zucchini, your favorite gardener needs a nifty way to harvest their crops. The Roo Apron is a one-size-fits-all, sturdy garment with generous pockets. It is machine washable, too! Choose from fun colors like purple orchid and blue lagoon or more demure leaf green and taupe gray. Each is $38.95 at RooApron.com. 

For the Weed Warrior  

Roots, small branches and weeds can be tough to tackle. The Hokuru Hori Hori knife is up to any job – weeding, breaking up root bounds plants before transplanting, harvesting, pruning, cutting packaging and twine. The rust-proof blade is smooth on one side and serrated on the other. Printed with inches, it is handy to help plant at the right depth too. It’s easily stored in the included handsome leather sheath and is just $28 on Amazon.

For the Well-Accessorized Gardener

For someone who loves to adorn herself with flowers, the pink reef hand-painted earrings, $78, are available in 13 saturated shades. Find them at Anthropologie in The Grove, Shrewsbury or Anthropoligie.com.

The Shrewsbury Garden Club is a welcoming group of experienced gardeners that offers all kinds of great programs, and membership is open to all for $35 a year. To learn more, visit ShrewsburyGC.com or email Shrewsburygardenclub@gmail.com.

Join them or find the garden club in your town, and give your green thumb a gift!