It is that magical time of year when our attention turns indoors. Something special happens; we slow down and actually become a tad bit jolly. Now that you are in the holiday spirit, let’s decide what to buy your favorite gardener.

 

By Chris Cohan

  

It is that magical time of year when our attention turns indoors. Something special happens; we slow down and actually become a tad bit jolly. Now that you are in the holiday spirit, let’s decide what to buy your favorite gardener.

 

This is the year to think beyond thyself and consider a donation to a tree-planting program. Hurricane Sandy slapped, spanked, and felled way too many trees. Rye reportedly lost over 500 trees.  

 

A membership to an environmental organization (my personal favorite do-good organization is Friends of Rye Town Park) is a wonderful gift. There are many other worthwhile local organizations, notably the Friends of Rye Nature Center, Friends of Edith Read Sanctuary, and the Bird Homestead.

 

Over the last 20 years, the Friends of Rye Town Park replanted the park with a variety of native trees, from white oak to American dogwood. The Friends also surveyed which trees were in decline and “shadowed” them: planted new trees close to take the place of the old ones as they fell. Today, the park has a more diverse tree canopy. The dynamic biodiversity that the Friends carefully cultivated provides food and habitat for many birds, small animals, and beneficial insects. Sandy destroyed many mature trees, which Friends wants to replace. 

 

This Christmas, buy a membership for your kids to Friends or another green space advocacy group. What a valuable legacy to instill in your children — a lifetime of awareness, caring, and a sense of responsibility bigger than themselves. Now that’s the spirit!

 

Back to gardeners. They need good tools. Consider a superior pair of hand pruners like those made by Felco. They make a variety of models, including ones for smaller hands and lefties. (No, not Democrats but left-handed landscape lovers.) Felco Number 7 has a rotating handle to reduce arm fatigue for the peripatetic pruner.

 

Horticulturists will be happy receiving hand cream. There are many wonderful brands with intoxicating fragrances. I am partial to evergreen — hint. Buy a few, wrap them together, and let the gardener decide which one is their favorite.

 

Gloves are a must for any serious gardener. They protect your hands from thorns while keeping your nails sans that ever so unglamorous dirt strip under the cuticle look. Fine for Goth, but not a showstopper at dinner parties. Woven material gloves with the palm side rubberized can be purchased in pack of ten. They are inexpensive and sturdy yet thin enough for the hand/plant/soil connection to be true. Also, when you wear a pair out or lose one glove, you will not fret.

 

Please buy your gardener sunscreen and include a polite, yet firm note to use daily all year-round. Consider a distinctive hat to top off your gadabout gardener. The vagaries of the sun’s rays upon one’s wrinkle-free brow are just too numerous to not defend against.  

 

These are just a few of the many interesting gifts you can choose from this season. Your first stop should be the convenient and friendly Rye shops. They are ready to supply you with attentive personal service, free gift wrapping as well as make excellent suggestions for your shopping this holiday season.

 

Wishing you and yours a most joyous, healthy, and safe holiday season!