Giving gifts to gardeners can be tricky. Most will have a favorite spade or fork in the tool shed that is well-worn but remains a reliable, time-honored piece of kit. With the right care and maintenance, many garden tools and accessories can last for decades, which makes them a good investment.
However, while most gardeners will be covered when it comes to pruners and trowels, there are always new and unusual gardening gadgets that appear on the market every year. The Homes & Gardens team has been researching some of the most unconventional and unique items we think any gardener would be delighted to receive.
So, if you are looking for gifts for gardeners this year, or perhaps you want to treat yourself to something novel, one of these unusual gardening gadgets might just pique your interest - and they are all on sale for Black Friday.
Unusual gardening gadgets you didn't know you needed
Whether you have a small urban balcony or a large rural backyard, our guide to the best unusual gardening gadgets has something for everyone. From gardening gloves with claws to bird-feeding helmets, these items are practical and fun, and you certainly won't find them in your average potting shed.
Featuring two widened wheels that measure 5.7 inches, this heavy-duty movable stool will ensure smooth movement while you work in the garden. With an adjustable height and rotatable seat, avoid back or knee pain when you are weeding, pruning or leaf clearing. 'Back pain from bending over in the yard is a constant gripe of gardeners,' says flower grower and Head of Gardens at H&G, Rachel Bull. 'If you or someone you know suffers, this movable stool can really take the pressure off when working in the yard.'
These gardening clogs are made of a soft PVC material that is comfortable and 100% waterproof. Whether you are gardening in a damp yard or taking a walk through a muddy trail, these shoes will keep your feet dry and warm. These clogs are made with heavy-duty tread, ideal for providing traction and stability on any terrain, including mud, grass and gravel. They are also easy to clean, with a gloss finish that can be wiped after use, ensuring that your clogs stay in tip-top condition.
While there are many different types of gardening gloves, including thornproof gardening gloves, none are perhaps as threatening and as useful as these. With fingertip claws, these gardening gloves can be used for all manner of chores, including digging, planting and raking. The claws are made from hard plastic that has been molded into shape and has a long service life. They can be used year after year for those tough gardening tasks in the yard. The plastic claws can be washed after use.
If you are looking to attract hummingbirds to your yard, this head-mounted bird feeder is a different approach to feeding these miniature native birds. This hummingbird feeder hat can be worn and adjusted to fit your head, providing a unique way to observe hummingbirds at close range. One caveat is that you might have to wait patiently while the hummingbirds get used to your presence, as they can be very nervous about humans. Some reviewers of these products complain that the birds are reluctant to get close unless you sit very still and wait, so this might be a gift best suited to patient birdwatchers. This would make an ideal gift for birdwatchers and is incredibly easy to assemble with only a few steps to complete until the product can be used.
'Bonsai scissors are both stylish and useful,' says former professional gardener and H&G Gardens Content Editor, Drew Swainston. 'While they are intended for intricate topiary and bonsai work, you can also use them as pruning tools for harvesting cut flowers, herbs or produce from the yard.' These bonsai scissors are made of high-carbon steel, and even with heavy use will remain sharp. What's more, they are ergonomically designed, with a comfortable, rounded handle to fit neatly in your hand.
This nut-gatherer tool is a quick and easy way to collect nuts, debris and small particle waste from your lawn without any need to bend over. Simply roll the nut gatherer along the surface of your lawn to collect acorns, nuts, buckeyes, crab apples and more. The nut-gatherer is made from carbon steel, and so is weather and rust-resistant. This tool has a comfortable handle grip meaning your hands will stay free of blisters as you work. Not only does this make the nut catcher fun, but it also makes for speedy yardwork, helping you to fill a bucket with waste in under 30 minutes.
'When you have a limited space to garden in, like a balcony or terrace, vertical gardening is the best solution,' says Tenielle Jordison, news writer and houseplant expert at Homes & Gardens. 'This hanging planter kit is perfect for growing your own herbs, lettuces or peppers without needing a huge vegetable patch to work with. The other great thing about wall planters like this is they also make attractive features and will certainly be a conversation starter among your visitors.'
Weeding and pruning sickles are some of my favorite tools to use in the garden. As a former professional gardener, I have used Japanese sickles for many years, finding them most useful when cutting back perennials in the fall months. These are remarkably versatile tools, that can be used for weeding, pruning and harvesting crops. What's more, this model has an attractive wooden handle and a high-quality carbon steel blade, so it will remain sharp for many years. An essential gardening tool, in my opinion.
Grow bags are useful for growing a range of crops, including tomatoes and cucumbers. However, they are perhaps best suited to growing potatoes, particularly when you garden in a small space. These unique grow bags come with a small viewing window, to allow for a quick visual of your crop, ideal when you want to check if your potatoes are ready. Each bag has a ten-gallon capacity, and they helpfully have drainage holes to allow water to pass through to ensure roots are never sitting in water.
FAQs
What digital garden gadget would you recommend as a gift?
If you are looking for a digital garden gadget, consider buying a bird feeder camera, available from Amazon. These cameras can take remarkable, high-resolution images of birds in your yard that are then sent directly to your smart device. Some feeders also have a built-in AI function that will identify the avian species for you, making for an ideal gift for beginner birdwatchers.
When adding to your collection of garden tools and accessories, it is good to think about how you will organize your shed safely and efficiently. While it can feel like a tiresome chore, finding a place for every item will help to keep your gadgets in the best condition.
