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Turn that green thumb red this V-Day
As a gardener, I recall one of my favourite Valentine’s gifts from my husband: a rosy-red pair of Fiskars pruners.
They had seemed too pricey to purchase for myself when I already had a set at home, albeit a much cheaper version that chewed up my hands when it came to chopping anything thicker than a daisy stem, but my sweetie showed that he wanted the very best for me.
In contrast to my rusting old pair, my V-Day Fiskars slice through thick mahonia stalks like butter, plus they’re easy to spot whenever I misplace them because I’m side-tracked by a weed to pull or other urgent garden calling.
Knowing my tendency to mislay tools, my sweetheart very romantically included a “holster” so that I could keep my faithful Fiskars reliably at my side and within easy reach.
Sharing my delight over this gift with another gardener, she replied in frustration: “My husband just buys me jewelry; why couldn’t he think like yours? I would love some good pruners or even a load of manure!”
I too wouldn’t pooh-pooh some composted cow or llama dung for my Valentine’s Day treat but knowing that my honey might feel a little funny about that, I’ve learned to keep this request for Mother’s day.
So if you’re gifting a gardener this February 14th, forget lingerie or diamond baubles and win your lover’s heart with one of these many suggestions from three of BC’s top nursery owners.
Wim Vander Zalm, owner of two Art Knapps Nurseries and the author of the soon-to-be-released Just Ask Wim!, a book of down-to-earth answers to the 100+ most-asked gardening questions, suggests these classic picks:
Shirley Eppler’s beautiful nursery in Parksville specializes in gifts for the gardener!
Gord Nickel’s comprehensive Wildwood Outdoor Living Centre in Victoria is focused on making the garden a year-round retreat. He suggests a beautiful plant for indoors or out, or this fun idea to win over the gardener of your heart:
Valentine’s Day Gifts for Gardeners