Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Inspiration
  3. Evergreens

HappySprout may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

2021 gift guide: The coolest gardening gadgets out there

Whether you’re shopping for a gardening-loving friend, or you are that gardening-loving friend, it can be challenging to know what to buy. There are so many gardening tools, kits, ornaments, and accessories out there that it can feel overwhelming to choose which one will be best for the gardener in your life. While most of gardening is manual labor, there are some tools that gardeners will love that bring some fun gadgets and technology into this relaxing and popular hobby. So consider checking out these gardening gadgets listed below instead of buying them another set of gloves or a new plant pot.

man caring for garden
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Growoya’s Oya

People have been using buried pots as a form of local irrigation since ancient times, and in modern days you’ll often see gardeners use terra cotta pots buried around their plants. The porous nature of the clay allows water to seep into the soil slowly, so the plants get the water they require without you needing to water every other day. That’s what the makers of Oya were inspired by, and now they’ve designed a unique pot for this purpose. The Oya is perfectly shaped to hold a large amount of water while giving a small access point for refilling.

Recommended Videos

Over time, the plants around the Oya will grow their roots around the pot and draw the water they need as they need it. This saves you water, time, and money. Often plants die off because of over- or under-watering, but you don’t have to worry about that with the Oya. It comes in three sizes. The largest covers a diameter of 4 feet, the medium covers 3 feet, and the smallest covers 2, so no matter your needs, there’s an Oya size to match.

Northfifteen Home Plant Monitor

When it comes to growing plants indoors, it can be stressful to wonder if they’re getting enough light or enough water. It’s always hard to tell if the soil is too dry, still too moist, or ready to be watered. This can be incredibly nerve-wracking when we invest in rarer or more expensive plants. Take the guesswork out of it and get you or your gardening friends a home plant monitor.

These monitors by Northfifteen are placed into the pot’s soil with the plant and will send read-outs right to your phone. It will measure light, water, temperature, and fertilizer, allowing you to predict your plant’s needs without having to wait for browning leaves or other signs of distress. This gadget has over 5,000 plants in its database and even has a feature to help you identify what plant you have if you’re unsure. Connect via BlueTooth and get notifications about what your plants need — no more begging your plants to talk to you!

watering the garden
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Orbit Home Faucet Timer

Knowing when and how long to water your vegetable or flower garden can be challenging. With weather and sun exposure, a plant’s needs could fluctuate drastically from week to week. So while those automated watering systems are nice, they could potentially overwater your plants or, on a hot week, not give them enough. With the Orbit Home Faucet Timer, you won’t have to wonder if your plants are getting enough water ever again. This technology takes into account the slopes of your land, the weather conditions of that week, and the needs of your plants to create a completely customizable watering routine for your garden. Set up the Bluetooth feature, and you’ll be able to check on your plants from anywhere in the world. On vacation and wondering if the plants got watered? You can do that!

VegiBee Garden Pollinator

You can, of course, let nature do its thing and rely on pollinators such as bees and butterflies to spread the pollen throughout your garden. However, depending on your location, these methods might result in less production. To ensure your plants are pollinated and get the most out of every flower, you can use the VegiBee Garden Pollinator. This manual pollinating tool comes with a vibrating wand to help get the pollen out of the plant and a wide flat spoon to catch the pollen. You then simply have to pollinate the other flowers of the plant, and you’re sure to increase your yield up to 30 percent. In addition, it can be used on fruits, veggies, and even to hybridize flowers in a greenhouse!

Any of these gifts would make an avid gardener a happy camper this holiday season. From reducing gardening tasks to improving plant health, there’s something for every type and level of gardener in this guide.

Attract migratory birds to your yard with these simple tips
Here are some easy ways to invite birds into your outdoor space
Migrating bird flocks

In early spring, many bird species begin to migrate to their spring and summer homes. If you live along a migration path, you should start seeing birds that you normally wouldn’t find in your garden, making this an exciting time for birdwatchers! From the beautiful rufous hummingbird on the West Coast to the East Coast’s orioles, migratory birds are crossing over every part of the U.S. Just because they're flying through your neighborhood doesn't mean they'll visit you're garden, though!

If you want to see gorgeous migratory birds from the comfort of your own home or front porch, then we're here to help. This simple guide will teach you what you need to know about how to attract migratory birds to your yard.

Read more
What is no-dig gardening? Here’s how to do it
Start your own no-dig garden today
A heliotrope plant growing in a garden

There are as many ways to design a garden as there are gardeners, with more variations and methods than we can count. Many of these variations offer benefits, ranging from the soothing effects of zen gardens to the ecological benefits of native wildflower gardens. One beneficial gardening method you might want to try out is no-dig gardening. If you aren’t familiar with this technique, you might be confused by the name. How can you grow a garden without digging? We’ve put together this guide for just that reason, and the answers are simpler than you might imagine.
What is no-dig gardening and is it right for you?

No-dig gardening doesn’t mean you never dig at all -- you’ll still need to dig holes if you want to plant seedlings or mature plants. It just means that digging is limited to only the times when it's necessary. By limiting the amount of digging you do, your garden can more closely mirror the natural environment, leading to fewer weeds, better drainage, and healthier soil.

Read more
Save money and the planet with these food waste apps
Try these apps to help reduce food waste and save the environment
Fresh vegetables with a knife on a wooden surface

According to the USDA food waste FAQs, between 30 and 40% of the nation's food supply goes to waste. The food itself ends up in a landfill, and the time and energy needed to produce it goes to waste as well. Considering the amount of electricity involved in the production, you can understand how this can add up to create a massive impact on society and the environment. While these numbers may feel overwhelming, there are now apps aimed at reducing the amount of waste and redistributing it to those in need.

Whether you're hoping to reduce your own food waste by passing your excess on to your neighbors or looking to pick up a grocery store's surplus, these food waste apps will be a big help to you and the environment. 
The best food waste apps

Read more