Discovery Center photos and article by: Cydney Ross, Outdoor Education Manager
This holiday season treat your gardener to gifts that inspire them for the growing season ahead.
Stocking stuffers:
PIN ticket – This big gift comes in a small package, so why not stuff that stocking with serious holiday cheer with a ticket to the Plan It Native Conference?
Five-point paint scraper – This is my go-to tool for weeding and fits conveniently in a tool belt.
Felco pruners – I haven’t met a pair of pruners that I’ve loved more than my Felco size 7. They’re heavy-duty, sharp, and built to last.
Clip-on compass – You know, for your friends who like to bushwhack but may be a little directionally-challenged at times.
Bandana – Dab off your hard work in the garden with a native plant-inspired bandana by local artists at Leaf and Sky.
Monocular – You’ve heard of a binocular but what about a monocular? This single eyepiece is great for quick glances at birds or plants far off in the distance!
Bird watching is by far my favorite winter sport. In addition to leaving standing plant material, I like to set up my bird feeders and see who comes around. National Audubon Society has field-tested recommendations for feeders, bird boxes, and the like.
Looking for a place to shop in person? Stop by the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center to find gifts for nature enthusiasts of all ages. Nature journals, Discovery Center mugs, stickers, animal plushies, plant guides and more!
Know a budding landscape designer? Roy Diblik’s book, The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden, offers a simplified approach to magazine-worthy native landscape design and maintenance practices. (And Roy will be a presenter at PIN!). Find it at your favorite bookstore or retailer or you can purchase it along with your Plan It Native Registration for pick up at the conference.
What gardener doesn’t love plants? Support local and regional businesses by purchasing a gift card from City Roots or Missouri Wildflower Nursery or contact Sow Wild Natives for gift giving options. Visit Izel Native Plants extensive native plant database where plants can be shipped right to your door.
Go big or go home with a ticket to the upcoming Plan It Native Conference! Connect with native plant experts from across the nation during this in-person conference in Kansas City.
