A gardener’s Christmas gift list may not be filled with sparkly items of diamonds and gold of which your wallet will thank you. However, the list can be worth it’s weight in diamonds and gold to the gardener. Just add a bright bow and a piece of good chocolate and you will win admiration and many thanks.

You do need to know some body statics: tall or short, hand size-small, medium or large. Right handed or left handed. The answers are straight forward through simple observation rather than having to ask personal size questions. Knowing the gardener’s favorite color might get you closer to a perfect gift, but in truth, most gardeners love all colors. A tip, bright colored handles in hand tool selection helps to locate the tool when misplaced.

Coined back in 1949 “ergonomics” is the study of ways tools, utensils and systems can be made easier and safer to use. Over the years more and more garden tools have been designed to fill the needs of gardeners young and older with limited strengths. Ergonomically designed tools usually feature a padded handle and easy to use shape. The trowel I use features a curved handle that requires less effort to accomplish the task at hand.

I am short and was beyond happy when I found a short shovel. According to recommendations, the user height of between 5-foot to 5-foot-4 should use a shovel height, including blade and handle of 42 to 45 inches. A gardener in the range of 5-foot-10 to 6-foot-3 are most comfortable with a shovel 50 to 53 inches, including blade and handle.

Good quality garden gloves are important but size can be a question so they are often overlooked. You may have to be devious like suggesting a contest as to who has the biggest hands. Measurements are taken with the hand wide open and fingers spread. Measure palm width and the height to the top of the longest finger. For small hands, the width is less than 3¼ inches, height is less than 6¼ inches. Medium hands are a width of 3½ to 4 inches, height is 6½ to 8 inches. Large hands measure more than 4 inches wide, more than 8 inches in height.

Is dragging around the heavy garden hose getting to be too much? I have a new treasure gifted to me this summer. An Expandable Telescopic garden hose has made irrigation in the greenhouse so much easier. An example: The original length before use is 8 feet. Once it is hooked to a water source and the water is injected the length will increase to 25 feet as needed. It is a true innovation for those looking for easier methods of caring for plants.

Seed starting is an exciting activity for many gardeners. Items have been developed for the home gardener to make the process easier. It doesn’t seem that long ago when we used the family heating pad as a heat source. Now we have a much safer product called a heat mat to jump-start the seedlings. Heat mats are available in a variety of sizes from a windowsill size to 20-by-20 inches. Add grow-lights and a timer and you will have a productive set-up. All this can be done atop a card table.

Seed growing flats come in multi-cell sizes from 200 cells to a more practical home use of 6 to 12 cells. Add a packet of seeds, seed starting mix and a spoil thermometer to complete the germination station.

A stocking or container filled with garden accessories: scissors twine, plant tags, waterproof marker, reusable plant clips that attach plants to supports. Stop in a Garden Center or local nursery and you will be overwhelmed with great gift ideas.

A blue ribbon gift winner is paid tuition to the 2024 class in the OSU Master Gardener Program beginning Jan. 17-March 20. The program involves 48 hours of training and 48 hours of community outreach activities to become a certified OSU Master Gardener. Classes are held Wednesdays at the OSU Deschutes County Extension Service in Redmond. Cost of the program is $280 with partial scholarships available. Call 541-548-6088 for details.