Gardening In The Grove
by Bill Valuch

Give The Gift Of Gardening
The Holidays are rapidly approaching and if you are like me choosing that perfect gift can sometimes be challenging. If you have a gardener in your life then your job has been made easy and if they are not a gardener this is a great time to get them started.

I am reminded of my daughter Stephanie who ten years ago gave me a five gallon Lemon tree fully adorned with fruit. I have to tell you that it is my most treasured gift ever! Each time I pass by the tree I think of her, it’s a simple bond we share. That one gift was the start of a collection of other citrus trees that now fill my deck, all producing fruit throughout the year. A five gallon dwarf citrus tree can easily fit into anyone’s patio or garden and this time of the year you can find them already adorned with their own ornaments, fruit. Just add a bow and there you go! Here are some suggestions for trees that will do well in our area: Lemon; Eureka or Meyer. Orange; Robertson or Trovoto. Grapefruit; Oroblanco.

Poinsettias are definitely in order for the Holidays but won’t last so I suggest bulbs , ivy topiaries or a standard perennial that will provide the best chance for survival and success. Once again, a little decorative paper and ribbon will be sure to bring a smile and joy to the gardener on your list.

Every gardener would love to receive a new pair of gloves and there are several types to choose from. Rubber gloves are great for digging and planting as they are easy to wash and provide the protection needed as there is nothing worse than trying to clean those dirty fingernails. Cloth style gloves give you more feel and are great for doing light pruning and deadheading. There are new high-tech fabrics on the market now and they come in great colors.

It’s almost time to prune our roses and you know how painful that can be. Not for the plants but for the pruner. Rose pruning gloves are available with added leather that extends up the forearms’ for that extra protection. Anyone with a prized rose collection would love to see a pair of these under their Christmas tree. And don’t forget that gardening tools can fit in nicely as stocking stuffers. Pruning shears, hand trowels and expandable rakes are not exactly diamond earrings but they too will never go out of style.

Lastly I would like to suggest the giving of a books on gardening. There are many to choose from and here are three of my favorites. First of all the Sunset Western Gardening Guide is by far the best resource filled publication out there. It is filled with plant information, gardening advice and years of expertise. Next on my list is Trowel and Error. This book is uniquely written and illustrated with tried and true tips that every gardener would love to own.

And last but not least and a sure pleaser to put in her stocking is Garden Voices, Stories of Women & Their Gardens. This is a wonderful book which tells the story of women and the profound influences their gardens have had on their lives. It’s story of friendship, healing, creativeness and love. Four Stars!

As you might have guessed we carry many of these gift ideas in our shop and would love to help you find that perfect gift for the gardener in your life.

Please take the time to email me with your suggestions, tips and favorites so that we can begin sharing with all of the gardeners in the grove. Email your input to: misstrawicks@sbcglobal.net or submit them in writing and drop them by our shop at Miss Trawicks Garden Shop, 664 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove, California, at the little red house.