Who doesn’t love giving gifts?  Whether it’s for special holidays, birthdays, wedding anniversaries, friend-aversaries, congratulatory gifts, or just thinking of you gifts.  But sometimes, even the best gift-givers need a little inspiration to find that special something for that special someone.  Being on a budget can sometimes make it a bit more challenging to find the perfect gift at an affordable price.  But look no further.  I’ve scoured the internet for you in search of must-have gardening items that won’t break the bank. 

Each gift idea had to meet the following criteria in order to make the list:

• Must be a practical, multi-use item. After all, who wants their gift to gather cobwebs.  Not me!
• Must be something that all gardeners can use, regardless of their level of expertise.
• Must be affordable but still be good quality.
• Must have received very good reviews.

There is something for every gardener on your shopping list, even if that gardener is you! If, for some reason, one of the items is not exactly what you’re looking for, let it provide you with the inspiration you need to find the right gift for that special someone. 

This article contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase using one of these links, I will receive a very small commission at no additional cost to you, and it will help me maintain this website.  Rest assured, I only recommend products I actually like!

1.  pH Meter or Soil Test Kit

It is important for gardeners to know the nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium levels of their soil so that their plants will develop properly and be more resistant to pests and diseases.  It also helps to know the pH level of the soil because proper soil acidity enables plants to access nutrients.  A soil test kit and pH meter will help determine if the soil needs to be amended. 

If you are someone who likes a good science experiment, you may like the Luster-Leaf 1601 Rapitest.  I use this one in my garden and think it’s a good option.  Plus, it is easy to use, and if you have children or grandchildren, it makes for a great science experiment!

Or, if you’re are more interested in checking the pH and moisture levels, Soniker Soil offers a meter that has garnered 4 out of 5 stars after more than 9,600 reviews!   (Note that some reviewers recommended cleaning the sensor points with an abrasive in order for the unit to work effectively.)  Both the soil test and the meter have received the Amazon’s Choice designation, which means the item has received high ratings and is well-priced.

2.  Gloves

If you garden, then you know that a good pair of gardening gloves is essential.  We’ve all had at least one pair of gloves (more like several pairs) that developed holes in the fingertips after just a few uses. While no brand is fool-proof, some are better than others.  When giving gloves as a gift, it helps to match the glove to the type of use they’ll get in the garden.  If that special someone you’re shopping for uses gloves primarily for pruning, especially thorny bushes, then you’ll want to consider longer gloves made of durable material.  Or if the gardener in your life uses them more for potting seedlings and other similar garden chores, a more flexible pair is what’s needed.

Exemplary Gardens makes an attractive yet functional glove for both men and women that is priced well.  It has received very good reviews and boasts of a risk-free, 100% satisfaction guarantee. 

If pruning gloves would be a better fit for your gardener, Megawodar offers a longer glove with thorn-proof, puncture-proof padding.  The gloves come in a floral print or two-tone, light green and gray.   Both brands of gloves have been given the Amazon’s Choice designation.

3.  Bypass Pruning Shears

When it comes to shears, there are many designs and brands to choose from.  You can’t go wrong with the type called a bypass pruning shear as it is a go-to for many gardeners. 

Fiskar’s is a well-known brand of garden tools that offers a lifetime guarantee on their products.  They make a variety of shears.  I picked this bypass shear for its “soft grip” and Amazon’s Choice designation.

Mockins is a lesser-known brand than Fiskar’s, but their bypass sheers received the “best overall” rating on a non-Amazon review I consulted.  Like the Fiskar’s sheers, it also received the Amazon’s Choice designation.  If you’re concerned that you might lose the green-colored shears in the garden, they also come in bright blue.

4.  Row Cover or Plant Blanket

A good gardener is going to want to tuck his or her plants in, especially on a frosty night.  Valibe makes a row cover that can protect your plants from frost in the winter or insects and birds in the spring and summer.  It is also customizable for those who have container gardens like me. This one measures 10′ x 30′ x .74 ounces, but it is also available in different sizes and thicknesses.  It earned an Amazon’s Choice designation. 

Another option would be the plant blanket from Planket.  Unlike the one from Valibe, this one is designated as a blanket only and cannot be used as a row cover.  It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your garden’s needs.  It has good reviews and is priced right.  I have this style of blanket, and it has helped my plants weather many frosty nights and even the rare Texas-snow.

5.  Garden Tank Sprayer

One of the most practical garden helpers is the tank sprayer.  Use it to water seedlings, container plants, or individual plants in a larger garden without turning on the irrigation or dragging out the garden hose.  It’s also great for applying insect control solutions or liquid fertilizer.  The Chapin 48 oz Sprayer has received the Amazon’s Choice designation.  It is a handheld sprayer that has a continuous spray feature.  The Chapin 1 gallon Sprayer has a hose and pressure release valve.  Both have adjustable nozzles, in-tank filters and are made in the USA.  They are easy to use and easy on the pocketbook. I have both of these models and use them often.

6.  Harvest Basket

Every gardener needs a way to gather and transport their harvest.  A trug is a quaint way to get the job done, but if you’ve priced them lately, you know how expensive they can be.  For example, one popular, no-frills trug sells for $50.00. For many people, that’s out of their price range.  Thankfully, there are more affordable options.  This wire mesh basket by Iberg is not only roomy, but can also used to wash the produce off in the garden before bringing it inside, just like you can in a traditional trug.  It’s an Amazon’s Choice and has excellent reviews.

7.  Seed Storage and Organizer

Keeping your seed collection organized can be quite the challenge, but this storage case from Novelinks is a popular solution among gardeners.  The case comes with 16 internal cases that you can use to color-code your collection if interested.  You can also file them alphabetically or according to type.  The possibilities are endless!  

8.  Fabric Grow Pots

Fabric grow pots are quickly becoming a popular alternative to traditional garden containers.  One of the pros of using these pots is that the breathable fabric allows air to get to the roots, which keeps the plant from becoming root-bound. Another benefit is that fabric pots won’t trap heat and temporarily shut down the root system like traditional pots do.  While there are many different brands on the market, Vivosun has earned good reviews and is currently ranked as the #1 seller.  The grow bags come in a variety of sizes for all your garden needs.  

9.  Seed Spacing Square

Speed spacing is important in any garden, whether it’s traditional beds, raised beds, or containers.  This handy template from Seeding Square allows you to plant seeds at just the right depth and the right distance from other seeds.  It takes all the guesswork or laborious measuring out of the equation, thus enabling you to maximize the space and harvest.  This gardening jig earned the Amazon’s Choice designation.

10.  Seed Pots

Seed pots are ground zero for the gardener that likes to start their plants from seed.  Pots come in various sizes depending on how long you want your seedlings to grow before transplanting them to beds or containers.  The 3.5″ size allows the seedlings to remain in the pots quite a bit longer than much smaller starter cells.

McConkey  makes a durable 3.5″ square seed pot out of non-BPA plastic which means it’s safe and reusable.  These are the ones I use, and they are an Amazon’s Choice product that has a 4.8 star rating after more than 2,800 reviews.  They come in a case of 60, and they fit in a standard 1020 flat.  In case you’re wondering if 60 pots is a lot, I can assure you that if you have a fairly good-sized garden, and you start plants from seeds instead of direct sowing, it’s not.  This one-time purchase will last indefinitely because they are reusable. 

If, on the other hand, your gardener would rather use biodegradable pots, Jiffy offers 3″ pots made out of peat moss.  They earned an Amazon’s Choice as well, and they ship 22 per pack.  They are a few pennies less per pot than the McConkey brand, but they are single-use only. 

Hopefully, you found something on this list of ten practical yet amazing gift ideas for that special someone in your life.  Or feel free to share this post with others so they will know what to get YOU for your garden!

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