Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Indoor plants

What to put in a gardening gift basket

Stacey Nguyen
By

A garden gift basket is the perfect present for sharing the joys of growing plants. Gather a bounty of goodies that both seasoned and novice gardeners can enjoy. Garden raffle basket ideas also work well for warm-weather occasions and giveaways. So what exactly do you put in a garden gift basket? Curating one can be a daunting task, but there are go-to items that home gardeners will always appreciate.

The possibilities are endless, but we recommend starting with tools, seeds, and other essentials. If you’re ready to put together a thoughtful and abundant garden basket, we’ll help you brainstorm the best supplies to include in one.

Recommended Videos

Garden gift basket container

Before looking into garden-themed basket ideas, pick the actual container for presenting all of your gardening goodies. A picnic-style, woven wicker basket is a fail-proof choice for displaying presents, but you can also get creative with cases that can be used in the garden. Suitable alternatives include containers that you can utilize for growing plants, such as big pots and galvanized tubs. A canvas utility bag can also help gardeners keep all of their supplies organized in one place. If you want to showcase your gifts, look for a design with a main open compartment and smaller exterior compartments to slip in shears, trowels, and more. Your gift recipient will appreciate having everything in one place!

Gardening gloves
Karolina Grabowska/Pexels

Gardening gloves

Ask any gardener: Gloves are essential for most outdoor tasks. First and foremost, they keep your hands clean when you repot and rearrange your plants. Gloves also serve a protective purpose, especially handy for when you transport flowers with thorns or cacti with spines. Look for a pair with nitrile coating, which offers flexibility and puncture resistance. Also consider materials such as leather for durability and bamboo fabric for breathability.

Related

Seed packets

However you frame it, plants make up the backbone of a garden. While you can slip in a live plant or two in your garden gift basket, it may be more practical to provide seeds. Whether you choose heirloom or hybrid varieties, seed packets are both widely available and affordable, so pick a few to include in your garden gift basket. Grab packs for everything from flowers to veggies so that your recipient can grow a bountiful garden. Add grow mats, biodegradable square pots, and trays to create a mini seed starter kit.

Sun hat for gardening
Ksenia Makagonova / Unsplash

Sun hat

A wide-brimmed sun hat is a necessity for the avid gardener who plans to spend hours outside. Not only will it keep the head cool, but a hat with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) will also provide decent coverage against harsh UV rays that can cause skin damage. Another detail that gardeners may appreciate is an adjustable wind lanyard to keep the hat secure. Being machine washable is also a factor to consider since dirt and debris can build up with long-term garden work. And for a sun hat that fits inside a garden gift basket, foldability is a bonus.

Pruning shears

You’ll always find a use for pruning shears in the garden, whether you need them for deadheading, trimming, or other chores. Get a one-handed pruner with two sharp blades. This design works well for making clean cuts, which allows plant tissue to heal easier. Consider a pair with a low-friction coating that won’t gum up with debris and rust over time. Also look for a sap groove, which prevents the buildup of sticky material. To keep garden work comfortable and ergonomic, seek out a rubberized, shock-absorbing grip to reduce hand strain.

Garden trowel
Charlie Seaman/Unsplash

Trowel

The trowel is one of the most versatile gardening tools for moving around large volumes of soil. Whether you’re tilling seeds in a bed or repotting a rootbound plant, you’ll most likely be using dirt as a growing medium in any gardening situation. Find a trowel with a sturdy, bend-proof spade to work through compacted soil. A rustproof model is also preferable since your gift recipient will likely be working occasionally with wet plants and soil. Because a trowel is a hand tool, an ergonomic rubberized grip is a must for preventing fatigue.

Supplement tools with educational guides, books, and magazines on landscaping and growing plants. If you personally know the recipient, don’t be afraid to add personal touches with a card or sentimental decor. Assembling a gardening gift basket can be intimidating, but you can get a great head start by adding useful supplies.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Stacey Nguyen
Stacey Nguyen
Contributor
Stacey's work has appeared on sites such as POPSUGAR, HelloGiggles, Buzzfeed, The Balance, TripSavvy, and more. When she's…
How often does a cactus flower bloom? What you need to know
Tips and tricks for getting better cactus flowers
Many cacti with brightly colored flowers

Cacti can come across as prickly and uninviting, but some of them have flowers that rival the brightest blooms of more traditional flowers. If you live in a dry, hot climate that makes growing most plants difficult, but still want a colorful, lively garden, then cactus flowers are the way to go.

Cacti are easy to care for, and their flowers are brightly colored and often have unique shapes. They can be grown indoors or out, and some even grow edible fruit. So how often does a cactus flower bloom, and which species grow the biggest and brightest flowers? This guide will answer all your questions.

Read more
Can you grow onions in containers? What you need to know
Tips on growing onions indoors
Onion with roots showing

Onions grow large, round bulbs that seem to take up a lot of space, which leaves many gardeners wondering if you can grow onions in a container. The good news is you can, and fairly easily! Growing onions in a container is a great way to extend your harvest time, since containers can be brought indoors. They're also the perfect solution for people who want to garden but don't have access to outdoor space, such as those living in apartment buildings. An indoor vegetable garden is simple to care for, and onions are a great plant to start with.

If you’re growing onions in a container for the first time, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know for a successful harvest.

Read more
Will your cactus survive the winter? What you need to know
Help your cactus thrive through winter
A woman holding a potted cactus

Cacti are notoriously hardy plants, but winter conditions can definitely pose a challenge for them, especially if they live outside during most of the year. This leaves many gardeners wondering, "Can cactus survive winter?" Don't give up on your cactus just yet! Cacti can survive the winter, and it's easier than you might think to help them thrive. This guide will answer all your questions so you can keep your cactus alive through this winter -- and many more after that!

Factors to consider when caring for your cacti during the winter
Temperature
Certain cacti can handle temperatures as low as 20 degrees below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, as some varieties hail from cold desert regions. These plants might have spines or hairs that keep out frost, or they may expel water (which will make them look slightly deflated) to avoid stem freeze. Many cacti, however, can't handle frost or subzero temperatures. Whenever you consider buying a cactus, check its hardiness zone. If you live in an area below its range, bring your cactus indoors as a houseplant. To counter freezing temperatures outside, you can also insulate your cactus with row covers, tents, and frost cloths.
Humidity
Humidity, as a refresher, refers to the concentration of water vapor in the air. While they appreciate water after drying out, cacti generally prefer low humidity and good airflow. Winter is often dry, and if you keep your cactus near a heater inside, it won't be a problem. Because of wind chill, the air outside tends to be dry as well. If you live in an area where cold weather is humid, do keep an eye on the humidity. Most cacti prefer a relative humidity of 40 to 60 percent, so you may want to bring your cactus inside if the humidity rises above those levels.
Precipitation
Related to humidity is precipitation; clouds fill with water vapor, which can lead to rain or snow. Heavy precipitation can be problematic because a cactus that receives too much moisture will experience root or stem rot. To rescue an overwatered cactus, cut off rotting parts immediately and add drainage to your soil. You can offer your cacti physical protection when it rains—the most obvious is to bring them inside your house. If you keep your plants outside, propping a tent over your cacti or covering them with a plastic tarp keeps water out during rain or snow.

Read more