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Gift ideas for the gardener in your life

Chicago Tribune

December 5, 2015 at 8:00PM

Designed by Paul Loebach, the clever x3 watering can gets its name from the fact that it’s crafted from a single metal tube, bent three times to form the handle and pour spout. This handle’s oversized square shape means it can be gripped from the top (if the can is full of water) or side (while pouring). A watering can this cool might inspire even the most reluctant gardeners to hydrate their plants more regularly. $98 from Kontextur. (www.kontextur.com) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

There is no shortage of trowels, hoses and birdhouses out there just waiting to be wrapped up for your favorite gardener. Following is a varied selection of gift ideas, from simple to splurge, and practical to indulgent.

Pruning protection

Covering the whole forearm, these handsome gloves from Gardener's Supply Co. will let a gardener dive into a thorny rosebush or other scratchy shrub. And since the Miracle Fiber rose gloves are synthetic, they can be machine-washed and dried without stiffening. $44.95, gardeners.com

Jeffersonian rain gauge

From Conant's Vermont Collection comes a striking float-and-lever rain gauge inspired by the mechanical inventions of Thomas Jefferson. As rain fills a glass vial, the float rises, and a pointer registers the rainfall amount. Made of solid brass, stainless steel, glass and wood, it stands 42 inches high and 12 ½ inches wide. $154.99, conantcollections.com

Twist and turn

Nothing could bring more style to turning the compost than the handmade aerator from Kaufmann Mercantile, created by a retired forester in Canada. Crank the hardwood handle to twist the steel coil down into the pile; then pull it out to mix the ingredients and let in oxygen to speed decomposition. Store the tool indoors. Handmade Steel Compost Aerator, $49. kaufmann-mercantile.com

Spring chickens

Every gardener needs waterproof boots, and these, from Sloggers, will put a spring in your step. Cheerful chickens bustle all over this bright yellow pair, which also have more practical features such as traction and a removable insole. Daffodil Yellow Chicken Print boots, $39.99, sloggers.com

Nature's music

The slightest breeze will provide tinkling music from this wind chime, crafted from the curling dried leaf frond of an Indonesian coconut tree. The Bent Leaf Frond wind chime from Uncommon Goods is best hung under a covered porch to protect it from the weather. $30, uncommongoods.com

Zen garden

Luludi Living Art has taken the idea of a small, traditional Zen garden and expanded it by adding an air plant (Tillandsia), which requires little maintenance — no direct sun and a quick spritz of water each week. Each mini-garden creates a portable oasis for the home or office. There are several Zen garden designs that can be tailored to a person's preferences. Priced from $40 to $65. luludi.net

Heated hoodie

Odious tasks such as working in the yard or shoveling snow are often made worse by the bulky clothes one must wear. Craftsman's 12-volt heated hoodie gets around that problem. It's comfortable and warm — and when the weather gets really cold, just turn on the heat. There are four temperature settings (low, medium, high and max) and four heat zones (left and right chest, back and neck). It features an elastic waist, cuffs and a soft lining, too. $179.99 (including the battery and charger). craftsman.com, sears.com

Songbird station

Birds need to drink even in the winter. The simple lines of the 13-inch-tall Orlandi Statuary Ladom Birdbath will fit into any garden, whether it's sleekly modern, down-to-earth or formal and traditional. The birdbath is made of fiberglass, so it's lightweight and won't crack in cold weather, but it has sand and gravel cast into the finish for a natural look. $88.99, wayfair.com

Beth Botts is a freelance writer.

Garden Voyage Botanicals offers fragrant and practical soaps for gardeners. The Birdbath Series includes a gardeners soap with cranberry seeds and walnut shell powder to aid in cleansing; there are also peppermint and lavender bars, each with essential oils. Each 5-ounce bar is $6.95 at gardenvoyage.com. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Nothing could bring more style to turning the compost than this handmade aerator from Kaufmann Mercantile, created by a retired forester in Canada. Crank the hardwood handle to twist the steel coil down into the pile; then pull it out to mix the ingredients and let in oxygen to speed decomposition. Store the tool indoors. Handmade Steel Compost Aerator, $49 at Kaufmann-Mercantile.com. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Every gardener needs waterproof boots, and these from Sloggers will put a spring in your step. Cheerful chickens bustle all over this bright yellow pair, which also have more practical features such as traction and a removable insole. Daffodil Yellow Chicken Print boots, $39.99 at Sloggers.com. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Florida Dancing Birds is a Holland, Mich.-based company that makes animal-inspired garden art that moves with the slightest breeze. There are flamingos, herons, egrets, cardinals, eagles, a ladybug and more. Prices range from $24 to $60, with most pieces around $44, at floridadancingbirds.com. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Seven connected vases can display cut flowers on a windowsill or mantel. Made of white glazed crackle-finish porcelain in the style of the 18th century, the vase is 4 inches tall and comes from the gift shop of Monticello, the historic home of Thomas Jefferson. $125 at monticelloshop.org. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

This easy-to-read but restrained rain gauge by La Crosse Technology will hang handily over the railing of a deck or porch outside the window, so a gardener can stay dry and still keep track of how much rain has fallen in the yard. Waterfall Rain Gauge is $19.95 at windandweather.com. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

From Cole’s comes a smartly designed hummingbird feeder with elevated perches for easier feeding and a built-in ant moat to keep the ants from invading and spoiling the nectar. It’s about $20; go to Coleswildbird.com to find retail locations. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The scent of rosemary wafts from this natural soy wax candle, with a burn time of 50 to 70 hours. It’s one of a line of Produce Candles that also includes the fragrances of melon, cilantro and even kale. Rosemary Produce Candle, $20 at ProduceCandles.com. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Craftsman’s 12-volt heated hoodie helps anyone who has to work outside in cold weather. There are four temperature settings (low, medium, high and max) and four heat zones (left and right chest, back and neck). $179.99 (including the battery and charger) at Craftsman.com, Sears.com and Sears stores. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Get a crop from your basement even in winter with this kit for growing hearty portabella mushrooms -- neatly in a cardboard box. The kit from Gardener’s Supply Co. comes complete with fungus spores and growing medium. It’s great fun for older kids. Giant Portabella Mushroom Kit is $44.95 at gardeners.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

These gloves from Gardener’s Supply Co. cover the whole forearm. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

This float-and-lever rain gauge was inspired by inventions of Thomas Jefferson. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The slightest breeze will provide tinkling music from this wind chime, crafted from the curling dried leaf frond of an Indonesian coconut tree. The chime from Uncommon Goods is best hung under a covered porch to protect it from the weather. Bent Leaf Frond Wind Chime, $30, uncommongoods.com. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Luludi Living Art’s Zen garden includes an air plant. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Birds need to drink even in the winter. The simple lines of this 13-inch-tall birdbath will fit into any garden, whether it’s sleekly modern, down-to-earth, or formal and traditional. The birdbath is made of fiberglass, so it’s lightweight and won’t crack in cold weather, but has sand and gravel cast into the finish for a natural look. Orlandi Statuary Ladom Birdbath is $88.99 at Wayfair.com. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)