Great gifts for gardeners as seen on KDKA’s Pittsburgh Today Live

As a preview to this week’s Everybody Gardens story about great gifts for gardeners I went on KDKA-TV’s Pittsburgh Today Live to talk about some of my favorites. Here’s some of the items I talked about and information on how to get them.

Doug Oster uses a Dramm ColorPoint compact sheer in his garden.

Most of the stuff I love has been added to the Everybody Gardens Store. I use them all in the garden and many of them have been staples for decades.

The Power Planter Bulb Auger makes planting bulbs easy. It makes a great gift.

• The Power Planter Bulb Auger is an indispensable planting tool, especially for spring and fall bulbs. Measuring 3 inches wide by 7 inches long it’s basically a giant drill bit used on any power drill that’s perfect for working close to the ground. I’ve used augers for decades, but this one, with it’s hand-welded rugged steel shaft and non-slip hex drive is by far my favorite.
  Pollinator gardening is important and finding a larger audience every year. There are many different ways to help the good bugs. Mason bees are native pollinators that nest in wood.
• The AccuSharp tool has been in my arsenal for over 30 years. It’s great for kitchen knives too. Putting a sharp edge tools will make them easier, safer to use and help them last a lifetime.
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  Dramm ColorPoint pruners are one of the favorite gifts for gardeners of home and garden editor Doug Oster.

  Every year I recommend a pair of good pruners as a gift. That’s because they often disappear in the heat of battle, forgotten next to the compost pile or under a layer of mulch. My favorites are Dramm ColorPoint pruners, both the Compact Shear for detail work and Compact Pruner for general pruning. The blades stay sharp for a long time, the colorful handles are ergonomic and easy to find when accidentally left in the garden. One of the tool’s greatest attributes though is the locking mechanism which stays put in either open or closed position when cutting.

• The Italian Herb Jar Kit from Wayside Gardens is an easy way to create a windowsill herb garden. It includes three reusable self-watering jars, just add water and it won’t be long until basil, parsley and oregano will be ready to harvest. Best of all, don’t worry about monitoring moisture, as the jars are set up to provide exactly what the plants need.
• Amaryllis bulbs are also a fool proof way provide relief of garden cravings. They can be found locally, but some of the most interesting varieties come from White Flower Farm (whiteflowerfarm.com). ‘Rebecca’ is an unusual fragrant variety with pretty pink flowers and white stripes. Stick the big bulb in a pot and enjoy the flowers in just a few weeks.