All I want for Christmas
The Gardener's Corner
By Judith Rogers

A picture of a wardian case.

Like the handyman that craves new toys in his workshop or garage, so too does the gardener wish for tools and gadgets.

A gift certificate for a back massage and a manicure is always appreciated, but this time of year calls for a special kind of gift, something different or extravagant.

A Wardian Case which is like a tabletop glass conservatory traditionally was made without vents for plants that need high humidity but can also be bought in a vented style to reduce humidity and condensation. Both styles are $39 and measure nine inches long and about 12 inches high.

A classy addition for any gardener is a British Haws watering can; and what could be classier than the one litre copper model that sells for $58. With time and use, the copper will take on that nice aged patina that is at home in an English cottage garden.

The Mariner Weather Glass retails for $34.50, and can be used outdoors in a shady location or indoors. Fill it as instructed with coloured water and watch it slowly rise up the spout to forecast a storm up to 24 hours away. Water rapidly rising up the spout will indicate a local storm but a quick drop and you know the storm has changed course.

These items are available from Lee Valley (www.leevalley.com).

Gardenscape (www.gardenscape.on.ca) is another excellent company for gardening tools and gifts. A great offer is the Tub Trug and Beach Crocs set in red, purple, orange or sea blue for $49, and the same for kids at $44. The tub trug is an all purpose basket-like container with handles that can be used to mix soil preparations, lug water and pour as the rubber material is flexible, ideal for weeds and spent flowers too, as you work in the garden and for many other things. The crocs themselves are already a hot item. The Aspen is my favourite style, as they don't have holes like the others. They are much better for dry feet on a dew-laden lawn in the morning, and dry grass and twigs can't poke into the sides. The Aspens are $40 a pair and come in 10 colours; they can be matched with a coordinating pair of spandex and nylon Foxgloves. These gardening gloves are like the white gloves grandmother wore to church; wash and wear with ease and pick up small seeds without effort for $30 a pair.

The Gardenscape Can Lapel Pin is a great $10 stocking stuffer. Made from pewter, the watering can not only looks good but $5 from every sale goes toward horticultural therapy and groups working with seniors, children and community gardens.

Stokes Seeds (www.stokeseeds.com) have a few gift ideas in their 2008 catalogue and the Light and Moisture Meter is one that stands out. For $27.99, the meter measures moisture content in soil.