Avid gardeners often have their preferred tools, making it tricky to choose a suitable gift—ranging from technical items like hoses to less useful ones like garden gnomes. The selections on this list combine reliable yet non-essential tools that they may not already own. Highlights include a versatile weeding tool, our staff’s favorite trowel, and surprisingly great garden shoes. Each item is a delight for anyone who loves working in the garden. For more gardening insights, check out our guides on shovels, pruners, and fire pits.
Gardener’s Supply Galvanized Seed Saver Kit
This lidded galvanized box includes envelopes and dividers for organized seed storage.
The Gardener’s Supply Galvanized Seed Saver Kit is ideal for gardeners who save seeds or collect packets. It includes 24 envelopes and six dividers to organize seeds by type, season, color, and more, functioning like a mini filing cabinet. There’s extra space for pens, labels, or twine, and refills for envelopes and dividers are available for about $15 to help keep seeds fresh.
Harvest basket
Garrett Wade Galvanized Harvest Basket
This classic French trug, available in three sizes, is made from double-layered galvanized-steel wire and features a comfortable beechwood handle, perfect for harvesting, washing, and storing garden produce.
While gardeners can use old paper sacks, the classic Garrett Wade Galvanized Harvest Basket offers a more elegant solution. Made by a third-generation French family, this sturdy, rust-proof basket allows for rinsing produce directly inside. Available in three nesting sizes, it’s versatile enough for collecting eggs or carrying firewood, and it also makes a beautiful display for produce or mail during the off-season.
Nutscene Tin o’ Twine
Nutscene has been producing biodegradable 100% jute twine in Scotland since 1922. This tin canister effectively prevents tangled twine and is designed for indefinite refills.
Real gardeners understand that twine is essential for gardening, but it often gets tangled. The Nutscene Tin o’ Twine offers a simple solution with its metal canister, which contains 400 feet of biodegradable jute twine and has a hole for easy access. Available in 14 colors, this twine has been made in Scotland for nearly a century. It’s a practical, timeless, and attractive gift. For refills, a box of 24 colorful spools is also available, perfect for both gardening and gift wrapping.
Classic clog
Calzuro Classic Clogs
These Italian rubber clogs come in 13 vibrant colors and are popular among both medical professionals and fashion enthusiasts for their comfort, durability, and stylish design.
The Calzuro Classic Clogs from Italy, originally designed for medical professionals, feature a bumpy footbed that enhances circulation and comfort. They’re perfect for gardeners as they’re waterproof, easy to slip on and off, and can be rinsed clean. With firm rubber for toe protection and excellent traction, these clogs also help reduce fatigue with their slight heel. Available in over a dozen colors and various unisex sizes, they combine functionality and style.
Tool tote
Gardener’s Supply Puddle-Proof Tote
This waterproof carryall features a rubber bottom, suede-trimmed handles, and eight exterior pockets for organizing tools and essentials.
The Gardener’s Puddle Proof Tote equips gardeners for any task, featuring a large main pocket, six side pouches for tools, and two mesh cinch pockets for water bottles. Sturdy and waterproof yet lightweight, it comes in bright blue or subtle khaki, ensuring essentials stay organized and easy to find.
Productive Alternatives Stratus Rain GaugeThis heavy-duty, UV-resistant polycarbonate precipitation gauge meets National Weather Service standards and accurately measures up to 11 inches of rain, sleet, or snow to the nearest 0.2 millimeters.
Serious gardeners monitor precipitation to determine watering needs, and the Stratus Rain Gauge provides accurate measurements. Although it’s not decorative, it meets National Weather Service specifications, featuring a wide top for easy rain collection. It measures up to 11 inches, recording amounts to 1/100 of an inch, with any overflow captured in a separate container. This gauge is also used by CoCoRaHS, a network of volunteers who track local precipitation.
Dramm 7 Liter Watering Can
This durable watering can withstands all weather conditions, offers a comfortable grip for easy carrying, and features a smooth pouring design.
For many, hand watering is a pleasure, and for balcony gardeners, it’s essential. The Dramm Premium Long Spout Watering Can holds 2 gallons, comes in six vibrant colors, and withstands year-round outdoor use. It’s comfortable to hold and offers excellent pouring quality, making it our top choice for outdoor watering cans.
Hoselink 82ft Retractable Hose Reel
The Hoselink hose extends easily and retracts automatically, making it ideal for those who need length without the hassle.
Storing the hose can be a tedious chore, but the Hoselink Retractable Hose Reel simplifies it with just a tug. Available in 50 or 82 feet, it features a guide roller for even retraction, preventing messy coils. Mountable at any height, it reduces back strain. However, its ½-inch diameter hose may slow down larger watering tasks compared to the standard ⅝-inch size.
Squeaky-clean hands
Seattle Seed Co. Organic Gardener’s Soap
This 100% plant-based soap contains ground apricot kernels and coffee for effective scrubbing away dirt.
Fendrihan Olive Wood Hand and Nail Brush
This two-sided nail brush, made of boar bristles and olive wood, effectively cleans even the dirtiest nails.
Gardeners often end up with dirty hands, making a good soap and nail brush essential. The Organic Gardener’s Soap has a pleasant herb garden scent and features ground apricot kernels and coffee for scrubbing tough dirt. To clean any remaining grime, the polished olive-wood nail brush, with short and long boar bristles, effectively cleans fingernails, fingertips, and palms, leaving hands soft and clean.
Gardener’s Supply Company Deep Seat Garden Kneeler
This rust-resistant garden kneeler and bench combo is designed for extra stability and comfort, featuring a wide, cushioned surface.
Gardening can be tough on the knees, but the Deep Seat Garden Kneeler offers comfort with its dual functionality. When placed bench-side down, it provides a padded surface with handles for stability. Flip it over for a comfortable seat during breaks. Made from rust-resistant powder-coated steel, it’s durable enough to withstand morning dew or light rain.
Crocs Dylan Clog
The Dylan is an upgraded version of classic Crocs, featuring a solid toe box and a leather-like finish for a more sophisticated look.
While not specifically designed for gardening, Crocs Dylan Clogs work well for garden tasks. They are comfortable, easy to clean with a hose, and the close-toed design helps keep water and dirt off feet. A small heel lip prevents slipping, making them ideal for light gardening tasks, although they won’t protect against heavy objects or messy jobs.
Felco 2
They’re sharp, durable, smooth, easy to repair, and highly reliable, making them potentially the last pruners your recipient will ever need.
Lopping, pruning, and deadheading are joys of gardening, and good pruners are essential. The Felco 2 Classic Manual Hand Pruner is our top choice for its sharpness and smooth operation. With proper care, they can last a lifetime, and Felco offers a lifetime warranty and replacement parts if needed.
Gorilla Grip Thick Foam Kneeling Pad
This rigid foam kneeling pad effectively protects a gardener’s knees and lasts longer than thinner, cheaper options.
While a rigid foam kneeling pad may not be glamorous, it protects a gardener’s knees during various tasks like weeding and trimming. The Gorilla Grip Thick Foam Kneeling Pad, made from 1.5 inches of durable foam, resists discoloration and tears, making it ideal for outdoor use. Compact and available in a dozen cheerful colors, it allows easy maneuverability in tight spots, ensuring gardening remains comfortable.
Our fave trowel
Wilcox 14″ Digging Trowel
This stainless steel trowel cuts through soil like a knife but scoops up more dirt than average.
This durable, razor-sharp trowel is perfect for planting, weeding, and breaking soil. It serves as a multi-tool: a shovel for backfilling, a blade for opening bags, and an edger for tidy borders. The 14-inch length is ideal for digging substantial holes without needing a larger shovel. One tester even reported a neighbor liked it so much, they took it home—so be sure to keep an eye on it!
Womanswork Gardeners Goat Skin Glove
These durable goatskin gloves protect hands and wrists from thorns. They may get dirty over time, but they won’t crack or tear.
These flexible goatskin gloves are loved by avid gardeners for their durability without bulk. They mold to hands over time, providing a perfect fit. Though they start out bright white, they’ll brown with use but remain effective.
Tango Zulu African Straw Hat with Chin Strap
This wide-brimmed hat, made from wild savannah grass, provides ample shade and stays secure with a leather chin strap.
A baseball cap or hiking hat works, but this handmade, wide-brimmed straw hat from Ghana’s Bolgatanga region adds style. Its straight brim provides sun protection without blocking sight, and a leather chin strap keeps it secure. Staff writer Samantha Schoech has used hers for beach trips, hikes, and gardening—even dunking it in a river to cool down—and it still looks great.
Wolf-Garten Interlocken Push Pull Weeder
This push-pull weeder’s double-sided blade loosens soil while cutting weeds at the roots, but the handle is sold separately.
Wolf-Garten 14″ Interlocken Heavy Duty Short Handle
This comfortable snap-on plastic handle fits various Wolf-Garten garden tools, including the top weeder.
This double-sided weeder cuts weeds at the roots and loosens soil, acting as a versatile upgrade to a stirrup hoe. Compatible handles (sold separately) range from $12 to $50 and can easily click in and out. Short handles suit precision work, while longer ones are ideal for larger areas. Samantha’s used her 7-inch handle for five years, calling it her favorite tool for thick spring weeds.
Gardener’s Supply Company Paper Pot MakerThis vintage wooden tool transforms newspaper into seedling pots in just 15 seconds.
This simple two-piece wooden pot press is perfect for gardeners who germinate seeds for summer gardens. With just a strip of newspaper and 15 seconds, they can create 1.75-inch seed pots. Once the seedlings are ready to transplant, they can plant the entire pot, which will disintegrate and protect the delicate roots.
Organic seed collections
Grow Organic Gift Seed Tin
These attractive, pest-proof reusable tins come with 10 packets of organic seeds for themed gardens, and the company offers replacements if they don’t thrive.
Each reusable, pest-proof tin contains 10 packets of organic seeds themed around useful topics like herbal teas and survival gardening. Peaceful Valley offers knowledgeable staff for questions and a library of helpful gardening videos. If the seeds don’t germinate, the company will replace them.
Tubtrugs Medium Tub
These bright, durable tubs are ideal for garden use, with flexible plastic that withstands heavy lifting and tugging.
These cheerful buckets are perfect for carrying everything in the garden, from weeds to compost. Made of flexible rubberized plastic, they won’t crack or fade and can be easily carried one-handed. Samantha owns them in three sizes and appreciates their versatility; they also serve as ice buckets, laundry baskets, and toy bins when not in use.
Bosmere Haws Brass Watering Lance
This rustproof brass watering wand fits standard 0.75-inch hoses and features a smooth ball valve with a finely perforated rose for an adjustable soak.
Using this elegant brass watering wand makes us feel like 19th-century gardeners, justifying its high price. Made in England from solid, rustproof brass, it features a ball valve for flow control and a 24-inch shaft that reaches distant plants without high pressure. This wand also replaces outdoor watering cans on patios or decks, providing a rain-like flow while adding a stylish touch to any setting.
Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream
This soothing skincare treat is ideal for dry hands and post-gardening skin flare-ups.
Gardeners enjoy getting their hands dirty but prefer not to show it. This healing hand cream soothes dry, chapped skin with a thick blend of calendula and chamomile in oils and beeswax, free from parabens and harmful chemicals. It has a subtle scent without synthetic fragrance, making it suitable even for those sensitive to scents.
