The Napoleon Freestyle 425 has all the hallmarks of a premium grill, from its chic graphite grey porcelain enamel finish to its sleek design – yet it comes with a surprisingly affordable price tag. The question is, does it cook like a high-end grill too?

With four burners, the Freestyle 425 certainly has a generous cooking surface, capable of grilling up to 26 burgers at once. It also features two sizeable side tables for food preparation and holding dishes, along with three hooks for hanging your barbecue tools. And, unless you also want to invest in one of the best pizza ovens, you can even add a pizza stone to the grill for a perfectly crispy base. When the grill isn't in use, the side tables fold down to make storage more compact.

The stand features soft-close doors and sturdy wheels that enable you to move it around your yard with ease. The enclosed cabinet neatly conceals the gas bottle, keeping unsightly hoses and battered cylinders out of sight.

To find out how the Napoleon Freestyle 425 performs in the real world, I assembled it from scratch, noting how long the process took and how easy the instructions were to follow. I then put it through a series of cooking tests, grilling steaks, burgers, sausages, and vegetables, before roasting a whole chicken using the indirect grilling method (I didn't have the optional rotisserie attachment, which is sold separately).

Read on to find out how the Napoleon Freestyle 425 performed in my tests.

Napoleon Freestyle 425: Key Specs

Price & Availability

The Napoleon Freestyle 425 currently retails for around $629. You can pick it up on Amazon, at The Home Depot, or Lowe's.

If you're looking for a grill in a similar price range, the Weber Spirit E-425 Liquid Propane Grill, available at the Weber Store on Amazon, is a good option. Both brands also sell a smoker box for that classic 'barbecued' flavor.

If you're on a tight budget, the Cuisinart CGG-7400 Propane 54-Inch Full-Size Four-Burner Gas Grill is a couple of hundred dollars cheaper and has similar features. Keep in mind that the Napoleon grill has a 10-year warranty, which makes it a better value in the long run compared to the Cuisinart grill, which only has a three-year warranty.

Setting up the Napoleon Freestyle 425

The Napoleon Freestyle 425 gas grill is easy to set up. It comes with clear and concise instructions that make assembly a breeze, and the sturdy base has wheels that make it easy to move around. The grill is compact but not flimsy, making it ideal for smaller outdoor spaces, and the cookbox and lid are quite heavy and seem to be built to last with a 10-year warranty.

Premium Design

The graphite grey color of the Napoleon Freestyle 425 gas grill gives it a sleek appearance that stands out from other gas grills with black or stainless steel finishes. Its porcelain enamel finish gives it a premium look, and it is less prone to greasy finger marks compared to other gas grills.

Rounded edges make it easy to move around safely, thanks to the sturdy wheels on the base. A large warming rack offers extra cooking space for quickly cooking items, while the main cooking area is spacious enough to accommodate up to 26 burgers.

The cast iron porcelainized enamel cooking grids feature Napoleon’s iconic wavy sear marks, while the temperature gauge has a retro look. An aluminum firebox aims to create a convective oven effect. On the right-hand side, the folding table is also home to three hooks to keep your tools within reach.

Grilling Performance

I experienced some trouble with the ignition system while using the grill, as I couldn't get the burners to stay lit initially. However, I eventually got the hang of it and didn't have any issues after that.

The grill heated up quickly, but I did notice that the temperature dropped rapidly when I opened the lid. On the other hand, it rose rapidly once the lid was closed again. There was a cooler spot towards the front of the grill, which could be problematic if you're trying to cook a large quantity of food at once.

In general, the grill cooked everything well, but it does burn quite fiercely. As a result, it may require some practice to get the temperature just right. Nonetheless, I was able to achieve a nice sear on my steaks, and I was also able to cook a whole chicken over indirect heat, which took around 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Maintenance

The tables of the grill can be easily folded down for storage. Once assembled, the barbecue is lightweight and easy to maneuver. When the tables are folded, the width of the grill drops from 55 inches to 33 inches, which is a significant difference when you need to move it to a confined place for storage. If you want to keep the grill outside, you can purchase a specific cover for this model on Amazon. I found some online offers that included a free cover with the grill purchase.

Napoleon recommends seasoning the cast iron cooking grids to prevent corrosion. After use, mild dish soap and water should be used to clean them, but they should not be put in the dishwasher. It is advisable to use a brass wire brush to clean the inside and underside of the cooking box and scrape the sear plates using a plastic putty knife, like this Skrapr design. To avoid any chips or scratches, plastic putty knives or scrapers should be used on all porcelain parts.

The Napoleon grill has a drip pan that can easily slide out for cleaning, which should be done after every fourth or fifth cook. It is recommended to clean the control panel only with soapy water and to avoid using abrasive cloths or cleaners. After cleaning, make sure to cover the equipment to protect it from the elements. This will help keep your grill in the best possible condition until you use it again. Although it may seem like a fiddly job, covering your barbecue is an important step in maintaining it.

Napoleon Freestyle 425 User Reviews

Online customer reviews of the Napoleon Freestyle 425 are overwhelmingly positive, with buyers praising its ease of assembly, reliable ignition, and even cooking performance.

On Amazon, the Freestyle 425 has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, while Lowe's customers rate it 4.4 out of 5 stars. The Home Depot reviewers are even more impressed, awarding it 4.5 out of 5 stars, with 85% of customers recommending the grill.

Like me, many owners highlighted the grill's straightforward assembly, heavy-duty cooking grates, and generous warming rack. However, a small number of reviewers said it struggled to maintain high temperatures when much of the cooking surface was in use, making it harder to achieve a good sear across a full grill load.

Should You Buy the Napoleon Freestyle 425?

The Napoleon Freestyle 425 is a great grill that offers excellent value for money. It has a 10-year warranty, is well-built, and features a large cooking area with four burners. While it may not have all the fancy features found in premium models, it is a fantastic choice for those who want to cook for a large family or friends. However, it's important to note that this grill does not come with a side burner, which may not be suitable for some users.

How Does the Napoleon Freestyle 425 Compare?

While the Napoleon Freestyle 425 is a great option, there are plenty of other grills out there to consider too.

How I Tested the Napoleon Freestyle 425

To test the Napoleon Freestyle 425, I assembled it from scratch, timing the process and assessing how easy the instructions were to follow. I then put the grill through a series of cooking tests, grilling burgers, steaks, sausages, and vegetables, before roasting a whole chicken using the indirect grilling method.

During testing, I evaluated how quickly the grill heated up, how evenly it cooked across the four burners, how well it maintained its temperature, and how easy it was to control the heat. I also assessed the quality of its construction, the usefulness of its features, including the folding side shelves and warming rack, and how straightforward it was to clean after cooking.

To provide a more rounded assessment, I also considered long-term ownership factors such as the warranty, replacement parts, and customer feedback, helping determine whether the Napoleon Freestyle 425 offers good value for money.

Amazon Prime Day may be hogging the headlines this week, but Walmart is running its own summer patio sale, and some of these products are super impressive. While Prime Day deals tend toward gadgets and appliances, Walmart’s competing event leans more into outdoor living items like furniture, lighting, fire pits, and other accessories that actually make you want to hang out in your garden.

Whether you're starting from scratch or filling in some empty gaps, here are 12 picks that are worth adding to your cart before the sale ends. It's the simplest way to turn your patio into a stylish outdoor living space.

Outdoor Dining

Eating outside is one of summer's great pleasures, but it requires a table and chairs that can handle the weather without warping, rusting, or requiring you to drag them inside every time it rains (that’s just no fun).

Outdoor Seating

The centerpiece of any good patio is a comfy place to sit, and Walmart's sale has options across every style and budget, from statement lounge chairs to full conversation sets.

Shade & Lighting

Once you have somewhere to sit, the next priority is staying comfortable in the sun and being able to stay outside once it goes down.

Fire Pits & Outdoor Warmth

A fire pit can extend the season quite a bit. Even on cooler summer nights, it keeps the garden usable well after dark, and the social pull of an open fire is hard to beat.

Investing in one of the best pizza ovens is a great way to make the most of your outdoor space, whether you're hosting friends or simply want restaurant-quality pizza at home. Better still, pizza ovens aren't just for pizza. Many can also be used to roast vegetables, cook meat and fish, bake bread, and even whip up desserts, making them a versatile addition to your patio ideas that will raise your cooking game.

Before you buy, you'll want to think about your budget, the type of fuel you'd prefer to use, and how much cooking space you need. Just like the best grills, pizza ovens come in gas, wood-fired, electric, and multi-fuel models, each with its own advantages.

To help you choose the right one, our team has tested bestselling pizza ovens from leading brands including Ooni, Gozney, and Solo Stove. We assessed each model for ease of use, heat-up time, cooking performance, build quality, and value for money, making plenty of pizzas (and trying a few other dishes along the way) to find the best options for every budget and cooking style.

The Quick List

The Best Pizza Ovens: Expert Reviews

There's no shortage of choices when it comes to pizza ovens; electric, countertop ovens are super easy to use and will fit nicely in your kitchen while some higher-end gas and wood-powered ones can cook your pizza in as little as 60 seconds. To help narrow down the options, we've tested the best pizza ovens on the market, assessing everything from ease of use and heat-up times to cooking performance and value for money.

The Best Pizza Oven Overall

The Pi Prime pizza oven from Solo Stove is the latest in their wide range of high-quality outdoor furniture. It combines a lot of great features with an affordable price tag, making it easy to rate it as the "Best Overall" pizza oven for most people.

Design: The circular design of the Pi Prime keeps the overall size of the oven relatively small, which means it can fit almost anywhere in your backyard. It's even small and light enough to make it portable, so you can have pizza night at a friend's house or even at the campground. It's not quite as small and light as the Ooni Karu, but it's quite manageable. The best part is there's hardly any setup involved. Simply insert the stones and connect your propane tank, and you're ready to go.

The stainless steel construction makes it durable, so you can leave it outside without having to worry about it getting damaged. If you don't have a covered porch or other weather-proof place to store it long-term, I'd recommend picking up the cover for it, but it will still last even without it.

I do wish there were a built-in temperature gauge, but it's not the end of the world.

Performance: I was most impressed by how quickly the Pi Prime heated up. Every other oven I've tested took at least 25-30 minutes to be ready to cook, but the Pi Prime was ready for pies in about 15 minutes. And once preheated, nearly every pizza was fully cooked in about 90 seconds.

Luckily, we didn't have to sacrifice quality to get that speed. Every pizza I cooked, from plain cheese to tomato-basil, was exceptional. The thin crust on the bottom was nice and crisp, and the edges had that light, airy texture you get from restaurant-quality pizza.

Value: My favorite thing about the Pi Prime is that you get all of this - a great design, fast cook time, and excellent flavor – all at a very affordable price.

Reviewed by Jason Cockerham

Buy it if

✅ You want to cook pizza fast: The Pi Prime can be preheated in about 15 minutes. And once it's ready, you can crank out hot, fresh, delicious pizza in about 90 seconds. That's the quickest prep-to-serve time of any pizza oven we've tested.
✅ You want to cook on a budget: Solo Stove is known for its high-quality yet affordable fire pits. Now, you can get the same great quality in a pizza oven that won't break the bank.
✅ You want great taste without a lot of work: The best part of the Pi Prime is how easy and hassle-free it is to use. Using propane means there's no wood or ash to deal with, and the whole thing can be set up in minutes.

Don't buy it if

❌ You don't like guesswork: There's no built-in temperature gauge on the Pi Prime, and while the flame adjustment knob has a recommended setting indicated on it, you'll still need a separate thermometer to know for sure.
❌ You're looking for that authentic, wood-fired flavor: The base version of Pi Prime runs only on propane. So if you really want a more classic wood-fired flavor, you'll have to pay more to upgrade.

The Best Indoor Pizza Oven

Cuisinart is no stranger to kitchen appliances, so it makes sense they would make a solid, kitchen-ready pizza oven. The Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven is compact, so it fits well on the kitchen counter, and it's incredibly easy to use.

Design: Cuisinart's design language here is pretty smart in that it's quite inconspicuous. It doesn't stand out too much and honestly looks like any other large toaster oven might. That means it fits quite comfortably into any aesthetic and the silver, black, and red colors can match pretty much any decor.

With a simple dial for setting the temperature and a basic timer on the side, there's not much to think about when it's meal time. And the big front window and oven light let you watch the pizza cook in all its glory. They've even included some suggested temperature settings right on the window for you.

Best of all, they include all the accessories you need, and aside from the pizza stone, they're all dishwasher safe, so cleaning up is a cinch.

Performance: I was impressed with the results of the pizza oven, particularly considering it's not gas or wood-fired. I noticed it does tend to cook a little hotter on one side than the other (not uncommon for pizza ovens), so I recommend turning it halfway through cooking.

The crusts fluffed up nicely, and the pepperonis had those nice crispy edges. Deep-dish pizza cooked just as well, but just be aware the deep-dish pan is quite heavy when full, so you'll need two hands.

Value: The price isn't too unreasonable because you're really getting a completely uncomplicated pizza oven. The convenience and simplicity of it alone make it a great option for your first pizza oven.

Reviewed by Jason Cockerham

Buy it if

✅ You want a hassle-free pizza oven: The Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven is incredibly easy to use. It's essentially a big toaster oven so you set the temperature, slide in the pizza, and you're ready to go. There's no fuel or anything to worry about.
✅ You have limited space: Not everyone has a great outdoor space to set up a pizza oven which makes this pizza oven a great choice. It sits comfortably on the kitchen counter so you can cook in any weather, and it's compact so you'll still have plenty of room for everything else.
✅ You want a great value: It's hard to argue with what you're getting here. It's easy to use, compact, and well priced.

Don't buy it if

❌ You prefer a quiet kitchen: While it's not disruptively loud, you'll certainly notice this pizza oven while it's on. So if you plan on having a lot of guests over or you just don't like lots of chaos in the kitchen, you might look elsewhere.
❌ You don't have a lot of prep time: This pizza oven can take as long as 30 minutes to be preheat, and potentially another 15-20 minutes to actually cook, so you'll need to plan ahead.

The Best Compact Pizza Oven

The Gozney Arc is a stylish pizza oven from one of the top names in the business. They've brought their extensive experience of building commercial pizza ovens into your backyard with a compact, premium-designed pizza oven that can cook delicious pizza in as little as 60 seconds.

Design: The Gozney Arc looks similar to what you might find in a professional pizza kitchen, and for good reason: it's heavily inspired by Gozney's own commercial-grade pizza ovens. Unlike the professional-grade ovens, however, there's very little setup or installation required for the Arc. Once it's out of the box, there are a few small pieces to slot in place, and that's it. The unique dome shape allows the flame to 'arc' up and across the entire roof of the oven, which cooks every pizza quickly and evenly.

The Arc is also the most premium-looking oven we tested. It looks stunning in the backyard and will be certain to turn some heads at your next pizza night. It's easy to tell how well crafted the Arc is, and that quality design language extends to Gozney's accessories as well. The serving peel, turning peel, pizza rocker, and cutter our tester received were all high quality as well.

Performance: I was quite impressed that Gozney's claim of being able to cook a pizza in 60 seconds held true. Once it was fully preheated to the desired temperature, the pizza was fully cooked in just one minute. The big downside here is that to reach that peak temperature of 950°F, the oven had to preheat for a full hour. But the results were well worth it as the pizza was cooked perfectly every time with a thin, crispy bottom crust and a delicious, airy edge.

The design of the Arc allows for much more than just pizza to be cooked in it, and I also had great success with cooking a steak, veggies, and homemade tortillas for tacos.

Value: The Gozney Arc is expensive, but for someone look to spend a little extra for a top-tier pizza experience, it's worth the investment.

Reviewed by Jason Cockerham

Buy it if

✅ You want to cook pizza fast: Thanks to the unique design of the Arc, you can have hot fresh pizza ready to serve in as little as 60 seconds. You'll need to stay close so you can turn it when needed, but it's all part of the fun.
✅ You want to class up your backyard decor: There's no denying the slick design of the Gozney Arc. It looks unlike anything else on this list and will be sure to turn heads at your next backyard gathering.
✅ You want a cleaner cooking experience: The Gozney Arc is powered by propane or natural gas which means there's hardly any mess to worry about. There's no ash to deal with and it's much easier to regulate the temperature without trying to figure out how many logs or pellets to add.

Don't buy it if

❌ You don't have much time to prep: While the Arc's design helps it cook quickly and evenly, the downside is that it can take up to an hour to fully preheat, depending on the temperature you need. If you don't often have that kind of time before dinner, the Arc may not be for you.
❌ You're on a budget: The premium design and cooking experience of the Arc doesn't come cheap. While this is the least expensive Gozney pizza oven currently available, it's still one of the more expensive we've tested.

The Best Electric Pizza Oven

The Volt 2 is the successor to Ooni's first electric-powered pizza oven, the Volt 12. As you'd expect, the quality is just as impressive as the rest of the brand's lineup.

Design: The Ooni Volt 2 takes inspiration from Ooni's other pizza ovens with its trapezoid-like shape. It differs from the others in that it has no chimney (thanks to electricity) and no long legs to stand on. Despite packing in all the electrical components, the Volt 2 has a noticeably smaller footprint than its predecessor while retaining the same cooking capacity. It also retains heat incredibly well and is safe enough to use indoors.

Even with its sturdy build, it's also the simplest Ooni to use. The entire thing is operated with just three dials and is perfect for anyone just starting out on their pizza-making journey. The controls are granular enough that you can even adjust the balance between the top and bottom heating elements while your pizzas are cooking.

Performance: Our tester, Dan, could not say enough great things about the quality of the pizza cooked in the Ooni Volt. He was impressed with how well the electrically powered oven was able to match the quality of other wood- and gas-fired ovens he's tested.

Aside from a classic cheese pizza, he tested cold meats like prosciutto, salami, serrano ham, pepperoni and, of course, plenty of veggies. Everything he tested cooked perfectly evenly without needing any adjustments to the oven during the process – certainly not something that can be said for every pizza oven.

Value: The Volt 2 remains one of the most expensive pizza ovens we've ever tested. Even premium gas-powered ovens like the Gozney Arc cost less, and Ooni's own wood-fired pizza ovens can produce exceptional pizza for hundreds of dollars less.

That being said, it's hard to argue with the combination of convenience and quality offered by the Ooni Volt 2. Sure, it's expensive, but it's also one of the easiest ways to make incredibly good pizza at home.

Reviewed by Dan Fauzi

Buy it if

✅ For stone-baked flavor without the hassle: The Ooni Volt 2 cooks delicious, restaurant-quality pizza at the turn of a dial, with no external fuel required.

✅ You want to make pizza indoors year-round: Designed for indoor use, the Volt 2 lets you enjoy restaurant-quality pizza whatever the weather.

✅ You want good pizza, fast: The Volt 2 heats up quickly and, with Pizza Intelligence™ presets and responsive controls, can cook authentic pizza in as little as 90 seconds once it's up to temperature.

Don't buy it if

❌ You want something portable: The Ooni Volt 2 needs to be plugged into a power outlet, making it far less portable than gas or wood-fired pizza ovens.

❌ You want an outdoor-only pizza oven: The Volt 2 is designed for indoor use, so if you're after a traditional outdoor pizza oven experience, a gas or wood-fired model will be a better fit.

❌ You're looking to save money: The Ooni Volt 2 is one of the most expensive pizza ovens we've tested. While its convenience helps justify the price, there are excellent gas and wood-fired alternatives available for much less.

The Best Premium Pizza Oven

The Breeo Live-Fire Pizza Oven will elevate your pizza night in almost every way possible. From the incredible quality and durability of the oven itself to the wonderfully delicious pizza you get every time, it's hard to go wrong with it. It's not hard to see how much care, thoughtfulness, and intention go into Breeo's products, so you know you're getting what you pay for.

Design: The simple, modern design of the Breeo Live-Fire Pizza Oven (and accompanying fire pit) will add plenty of elegance and beauty to any backyard. The stainless-steel construction means it not only cooks well, but it can also withstand the elements and retain its clean, industrial look for years to come.

The thicker pizza stones help retain more heat, so there's less reheat time between pizzas, and the temperature gauge on the side means you've got everything you need to start cooking great pizza (you'll still need a pizza peel, of course).

Performance: The great build quality extends beyond just the looks of the pizza oven. Every pizza we cooked in it came out hot, fresh, and delicious. The open window at the bottom gave us easy access to the fire below, making it easy (and fun) to adjust the temperature of the fire as needed.

The design of the oven contributed to every pizza being cooked quickly and evenly, without too much charring on the bottom, even after almost an entire half of the pizza toppings were spilled on it.

Value: There's no getting around how expensive the Breeo Live-Fire Pizza Oven is. Especially as you can't even use it without a Breeo fire pit, which is also a tad pricey.

That being said, you certainly get quite a lot for the price. The Breeo pizza oven will last for years to come and give you delicious pizza consistently, every time you use it. Plus, the live-fire cooking experience is truly enjoyable.

Reviewed by Jason Cockerham

Buy it if

✅ You already own the fire pit: The Breeo Live-Fire Pizza Oven is only compatible with the brand's existing fire pit.
✅ You don't want to deal with any setup: It comes fully assembled in the box. Just slide in the pizza stones, set it on top of your fire pit, and that's it.
✅ You want unbeatable craftsmanship: Every Breeo pizza oven (and fire pit) is handmade in the USA, and it shows. You can clearly see the exceptional craftsmanship and durability in every inch of the pizza oven.
✅ You want an authentic, wood-fired cooking experience: Cooking in the Breeo Live-Fire Pizza Oven is a truly enjoyable experience. It takes some work to get the fire going and manage the temperature, but that's all part of the experience.

Don't buy it if

❌ You want something more compact: The Breeo Live-Fire Pizza Oven is quite large and the stainless steel makes it heavy too. It's not something you'll want to move around a lot, especially since the compatible fire pits are heavy as well.
❌ You don't want to spend a lot: The pizza oven by itself is already quite expensive, but to make matters worse, it only works with a Breeo fire pit, which are also quite expensive.
❌ You want something easier to use: There's a fair amount of work involved in using the Breeo pizza oven. You need to build the fire, and continually maintain or adjust it as needed throughout the cook.

The Most Versatile Pizza Oven

The Ooni Karu 12 is one of our tried-and-tested favourites, offering the flexibility to cook with wood, charcoal or gas. It's one of the most versatile ovens we've tested, although the optional gas burner is sold separately.

Design: The Karu 12 is compact, lightweight and easy to assemble, taking just a matter of minutes to get up and running. It weighs only 12kg, making it easy to move around the garden or pack up for trips away, and the folding legs and removable chimney make it even more portable. Like the old Fyra model, you can either buy a bespoke portable table for your Ooni to live on or place it on an existing outdoor surface.

Performance: In terms of ease of use, the Karu 12 is as straightforward as it gets. Keep an eye on your pizza as it cooks and rotate it every 20 seconds or so for a perfectly cooked crust and bubbly mozzarella. We found the wood-fired mode delivers plenty of authentic flavour, but our gas-cooked pizzas were easier to control and therefore more evenly cooked, making the optional gas attachment a worthwhile investment. Once up to temperature, the Karu 12 can cook pizzas in as little as 60 seconds.

Value: The Karu is one of our favourite pizza ovens, but its higher price tag means it's a little disappointing that the gas attachment doesn't come included. The Woody has just pipped it to second place on our list because of price comparison (despite this getting a slightly higher score) – it costs the same amount as the full Woody kit before you shell out for the peel, thermometer, gas attachment and cover. That said, if you value the flexibility of switching between traditional wood-fired cooking and the convenience of gas, the Karu 12 remains an excellent investment.

Reviewed by Millie Fender

Buy it if

✅ You want the flexibility of multiple fuel types: The Karu 12 can cook with wood, charcoal or gas (with the optional gas burner), so you can choose between authentic flavour and fuss-free convenience.

✅ You want a portable pizza oven: Weighing just 12kg with folding legs and a removable chimney, the Karu 12 is easy to transport and store.

✅ You love authentic wood-fired cooking: The Karu 12 delivers delicious smoky flavour when cooking with wood, while still giving you the option to switch to gas for easier temperature control.

Don't buy it if

❌ You don't want to buy extra accessories: To get the most from the Karu 12, you'll need to budget for extras like a pizza peel, infrared thermometer and, if you want gas cooking, the optional gas burner.

❌ You're on a tight budget: By the time you've added the gas attachment and essential accessories, there are better-value pizza ovens available.

❌ You want the easiest pizza-making experience: While the Karu 12 is straightforward to use, wood-fired cooking takes more practice than a dedicated gas or electric oven, and you'll need to manage the fire as you cook.

We think the Ooni Koda 16 is the ultimate gas pizza oven, serving up 16in sharing pizzas that are perfect for feeding a crowd in just 60 seconds.

Our reviewer was impressed by how sleek and modern the design of the Koda was, and she had no problem connecting the hose and regulator to the gas cylinder. She found the L-shaped flame took a little getting used to, but once she'd perfected the technique of rotating the pizza every 20 seconds for an even cook, the results were well worth it. That said, you will need to buy a pizza peel separately, as Ooni doesn't include one in the box, and it's essential for getting your pizza in and out of the oven, as well as rotating it once it's in to cook. This is the same with most other ovens though, so it's likely you'll have that expense whatever oven you buy.

Once tried and tested, we loved the Ooni Koda 16's performance, our only other gripe being the lack of in-built thermometer which makes it hard to guage when the oven has reached the optimum temperature for pizza cooking. Again, you can buy this separately, but we would have liked to see one included in the build which is why this oven didn't quite achieve full marks. However, it still makes a great investment for your outdoor kitchen in our book.

Gardeningetc rating 4.5/5 stars – read our full Ooni Koda 16 pizza oven review

The Best Gas-Powered Pizza Oven

The Ooni Koda 16 is the ultimate gas pizza oven, serving up 16-inch sharing pizzas that are perfect for feeding a crowd in as little as 60 seconds. Its extra-large cooking surface and sleek, modern design make it a standout choice for outdoor entertaining.

Design: Our reviewer was impressed by how sleek and modern the Koda 16 looked, and she had no problem connecting the hose and regulator to the gas cylinder. Assembly couldn't be simpler – just unfold the legs, insert the pizza stone, and it's ready to use. That said, you will need to buy a pizza peel separately, as Ooni doesn't include one in the box, and it's essential for launching, turning and removing your pizzas. An infrared thermometer is also a worthwhile extra, as there's no built-in temperature gauge.

Performance: The L-shaped flame took a little getting used to, but once she'd perfected the technique of rotating the pizza every 20 seconds for an even cook, the results were well worth it. We loved the Koda 16's performance, producing beautifully crisp pizzas with evenly cooked toppings in around 60 to 90 seconds. Its generous 16-inch cooking surface also makes it ideal for larger pizzas and feeding a crowd.

Value: The lack of a built-in thermometer meant the Koda 16 just missed out on full marks, but it remains one of the best gas pizza ovens we've tested. While you'll need to budget for a few essential accessories, it's a worthwhile investment if you regularly entertain or want consistently excellent pizza with minimal fuss.

Reviewed by Laura Crombie

Buy it if

✅ You regularly cook for a crowd: The generous 16-inch cooking surface is perfect for making large sharing pizzas and feeding family and friends.

✅ You want a gas pizza oven that's easy to use: The Koda 16 is quick to set up, heats up in around 20 minutes, and cooks pizzas in as little as 60 seconds.

✅ You love entertaining outdoors: With its sleek design, spacious cooking area, and consistently excellent results, the Koda 16 is a fantastic centerpiece for an outdoor kitchen.

Don't buy it if

❌ You want a lightweight, portable pizza oven: Te Koda 16 is one of Ooni's larger models and is better suited to staying in one place.

❌ You don't want to buy extra accessories: You'll need a pizza peel to get started, and an infrared thermometer is highly recommended as there's no built-in temperature gauge.

❌ You're on a budget: The Koda 16 is a premium gas pizza oven, and there are smaller or multi-fuel models available for less if you don't need the extra cooking space.

The Best Portable Pizza Oven

The Gozney Roccbox is a compact, portable pizza oven that delivers outstanding results and premium build quality. While it can cook with both wood and gas, we found it performed best using the included gas burner.

Design: The Roccbox seriously wowed us from the moment we took it out of the box. We tested the green version, although it's also available with a grey silicone jacket. The silicone exterior stays warm rather than hot during cooking, making it safer to touch than many rival pizza ovens. Despite its sturdy build, it's compact enough to transport and store with ease.

Performance: We found the wood-fired fuel box a little small and it took around 40 minutes to reach cooking temperature. Switching to gas transformed the experience, with the oven heating up much more reliably and producing beautifully cooked pizzas in just over a minute. The Roccbox consistently delivered crisp bases and evenly cooked toppings, making it one of the easiest portable pizza ovens to use.

Value: While the Gozney Roccbox sits at the premium end of the market, it includes a gas burner as standard, which is often sold separately with competing multi-fuel pizza ovens. If you value build quality, portability and consistently excellent results, it's well worth the investment.

Buy it if

✅ You want a premium portable pizza oven: The Roccbox is compact, durable and easy to transport, making it ideal for gardens, camping trips and cooking on the go.

✅ You prefer cooking with gas: The included gas burner makes the Roccbox quick to heat up, easy to control and capable of cooking pizzas in just over a minute.

✅ You value premium build quality: From its silicone outer jacket to its sturdy construction, the Roccbox feels exceptionally well made and built to last.

Don't buy it if

Don't buy it if

❌ You want the best wood-fired experience: The wood-fired fuel box is quite small and takes noticeably longer to heat up than when using gas.

❌ You're on a budget: The Roccbox is one of the pricier portable pizza ovens, even if the included gas burner helps justify the cost.

❌ You want to cook large pizzas: The Roccbox is designed for pizzas up to 12 inches, so it isn't the best choice for feeding larger groups.

How to Choose the Best Pizza Oven for You

If you're considering a pizza oven, there's a few things you'll want to keep in mind during you're search for the best one for you:

What Size Pizza Oven Do I Need?

Most pizza ovens we tested will cook about the same size pizza (12-14 inches), which suits most families. If you entertain a lot, then size up to 16 inches with the Ooni Koda 16 or Gozney Arc XL.

Don't forget, you can also cook a great deal more than pizza in a pizza oven, so if you want to be able to cook a wider range of dishes, you may want to go for a bigger pizza oven size.

Bear in mind that the physical size of the pizza ovens themselves varies quite widely. The first thing you'll need to find is a place for your oven to live. Some indoor ones will fit well on a kitchen counter, while others will need a dedicated spot outside. It's a good idea to find a good place for it first, so then you'll have an idea of how big an oven you can get.

Which Fuel Type is Best for Pizza Ovens?

The fuel source is critical to your decision. Some pizza purists would say there is no other way to cook it than in a wood-fired oven, and the authentic smoky taste imparted to the crust is one reason why.

Cooking with wood and wood pellets provides a fun experience, and wood can also reach higher temperatures than gas. You can try out different types of wood to experiment with the flavors a bit.

While gas may bring your oven to temperature faster, you get a more ferocious flame with wood or charcoal. That said, reaching this temperature and tending to the fire is one major reason many choose gas. Wood takes time and effort to manage – you need to constantly top up the fuel between pizzas – but you simply turn on the gas, much like an indoor oven, and let it do the rest.

When it comes to running costs, wood pellets are generally the most affordable fuel option, followed by propane gas. Cooking with hardwood logs or lump charcoal can cost more, especially as logs burn relatively quickly and need topping up more often, while pellets and lump charcoal tend to provide a steadier burn.

Upfront prices vary too, but rather than focusing solely on fuel costs, we recommend choosing the pizza oven that best suits your cooking style. If you value convenience, a gas or electric model may be worth the extra expense, while wood-fired ovens offer a more traditional cooking experience. Can't choose? Select a multi-fuel option like the Ooni Karu or Gozney Roccbox above for flexibility.

How Much Should You Spend on a Pizza Oven?

As you've seen from our list here, the prices for pizza ovens vary quite a lot so knowing your budget is one of, if not the first, step in your buying process. While the lowest end of the spectrum starts at around $150, our recommendations start at closer to $300–$350.

Look out for what is included with the pizza oven. All will include the stone and oven but you will always have to buy fuel separately, so factor this in. Often multi-fuel ovens require you to buy the gas attachment on top of the cost of the oven, too.

Some pizza ovens come as a kit including a peel and thermometer. These aren't essential but it is much harder to get the right temperature without a thermometer and very, very hard to put a pizza in an oven without a peel, so see where they are included. Finally, a cover is a nice extra. It will mean you can protect your oven outdoors over summer.

For our part, we found that every oven we tested cooked good pizza (certainly better than most fast-food pizza shops) with the differences being mainly in the time it took from start to finish and the versatility of the oven.

What Build Quality Should You Look For?

When buying a pizza oven you want something that is built to last. Look for an oven with a thick stone floor, at least 3/4 inch thick. While you can pick up a generic pizza oven for a reasonable price at your local DIY store, you’re better off investing a little more money (or a lot, depending on your budget) on a brand that specialises in them.

Brands like these will have spent a lot of time and money on developing the look and design of their pizza ovens, so not only will they look great, but they’ll have been built with quality materials that ensure years of use.

Should You Go for a Built-in or Portable Pizza Oven?

Nearly all of the pizza ovens on our list are portable to some degree. Many are small enough to set up on a table (or other heat-proof surface) and then put away at the end of summer. These are not space hungry (although you will want room to store in a shed or garage), and they can be taken camping or to a friend's house if you want a pizza party elsewhere.

A built-in pizza oven is a much bigger commitment. For one, you need a large enough space – safely away from fencing or trees – to build your pizza oven in. You also need to be pretty sure you are going to give it plenty of use. That said, many will double as an outdoor fireplace, so a trattoria-style brick pizza oven could be a wonderful focal point in your outdoor dining area.

How to Clean a Pizza Oven

One of the best things about pizza ovens is that there is typically very little cleaning or maintenance involved, but there's still some, depending on the type of oven you purchase. For the most part, you'll need to brush or gently wash down the stone(s) along with the peel, and that's about it. Just be careful to never use soap on the pizza stones, as that can cause them to crack and break. Warm water and/or a steel brush are all you need.

For fire-burning ovens, you'll need to clean out any ash left every so often, and for the gas ones, just make sure you have enough propane for your next cook. That's essentially it.

How We Tested These Pizza Ovens

Trust us: it isn't hard to find willing pizza oven testers on our team. Every pizza oven in this guide was tested in a real home backyard over the course of several weeks. Our reviewers assembled each oven themselves, timed how long it took to heat up, and cooked multiple pizzas to assess how easy it was to achieve an evenly cooked crust, bubbling cheese, and crisp base.

For multi-fuel ovens, we tested every available fuel type to compare heat-up times, ease of use, and cooking performance. Where appropriate, we also experimented with cooking foods beyond pizza, including vegetables, meat, and baked dishes, to see how versatile each oven really was.

As well as judging the quality of the finished pizza, we looked at how straightforward each oven was to set up, operate, and clean. Some models were as simple as plugging them in and turning a dial, while others required more hands-on fire management and temperature control. Neither approach is necessarily better – it simply depends on the type of cooking experience you're looking for.

Because these ovens are designed for home cooks rather than professional pizzaiolos, our testing team includes reviewers with a range of experience levels, from complete beginners to seasoned outdoor cooks. This helps us judge how approachable each model is straight out of the box.

Finally, wherever possible, we continue using the products long after the review has been published. That allows us to assess long-term durability and update our recommendations if our experience changes over time.

The Expert Testers

There’s a certain stubbornness that comes with sitting outside when it’s 95 degrees, insisting you're fine, even though you’re sweating through your dress and melting into your garden chair. For years, the only patio shade ideas I relied on were a parasol and small shade trees, but after trying a patio misting system, I don’t know how I ever managed without one.

The science of it is actually pretty simple: fine water droplets evaporate the second they hit the air, pulling heat with them and taking the temperature around you down by up to 20°F. You don’t even need electricity, just a standard garden hose. Even better, the mist raises the humidity around heat-sensitive plants and creates a cool, damp microclimate that things like basil and lettuce thrive in.

The One That Convinced Me

This is perfect for those who have never installed a misting system before. HOMENOTE's 26FT system connects to a standard garden hose and fastens to umbrella canopies, railings, and covered patio roofs. This means that for you, setup takes less than 10 minutes and doesn’t require any tools, hiring a plumber, or even going down a YouTube rabbit hole looking for a tutorial.

The 26-foot line with seven brass nozzles is the right size for an average patio or deck, producing a fine, barely-there mist rather than that aggressive kind of spray that soaks your furniture and will irritate your guests. Brass nozzles last much longer than their plastic counterparts and are far less prone to clogging. This is certainly worth noting, as nozzles are always the first thing to break on cheaper systems.

For gardeners specifically: run it along the edge of a raised bed or container garden area, and your plants get a cooling overhead mist during the hottest part of the day. This is essential to reduce heat stress and keep the soil from drying out as fast. One system that does two jobs for you; now that’s an easy choice, especially when it costs well under $30.

More Misting Systems Worth Buying

We’ve all got a version of our garden in our head that we sometimes dream about while pinning photos to Pinterest. The tools are hung neatly, the cushions are dry, and you’re not tripping over anything on your way to the back door of your shed. However, reality sets in when you actually look outside. A tangle of rakes stares at you from the corner, potting soil bags slump sadly against the fence, and your cushions got all wet and are now getting moldy. Good garden storage is the difference between these two realities.

Garden storage protects your investment in furniture, tools, and equipment from weather, keeps your outdoor space serene and organized, and, most importantly, you can actually find a trowel when you need it.

Amazon Prime Day 2026 gardening deals have brought some of the year's best prices on outdoor storage across every category. Here's what's worth buying.

Patio Storage Boxes & Deck Boxes

A deck box is the workhorse of garden storage; it’s part seat, weatherproof chest, and seriously earns its spot on your patio. The best ones double as extra seating while swallowing up cushions, pool toys, throw blankets, and all the other clutter that accumulates outdoors. Look for UV-resistant resin, a lockable lid, and ideally a reinforced top for sitting.

Outdoor Storage Cabinets

This is the perfect balance if you’re looking for more storage than a deck box has but aren’t ready to fully commit to a shed. Tall, narrow, and lockable, these are perfect for standing long-handled tools upright, stacking cushions, or storing fertilizer bags, all without taking up much floor space. The best models combine multi-wall weatherproof resin with a neutral finish that looks great alongside garden furniture.

Mini Sheds & Horizontal Storage Sheds

Horizontal sheds occupy a smart middle ground where they aren’t quite a full garden shed, but also not a deck box. These keep a low profile, so you can tuck them along a fence line or up against a house. They’re ideal for hiding trash bins, storing lawn mowers, or housing bulky outdoor tools that don’t fit anywhere else. The modern weatherproof resin versions don’t require any maintenance and look much nicer than you would expect.

Garden Tool Storage & Wall Organisers

What happens so often is that even if you have a shed or a garage, tools often have a habit of piling up in corners or leaning against walls. A wall organizer can change this entirely, and the best ones make tools actually accessible rather than something you need to search for.

This category has excellent Prime Day discounts on heavy-duty steel systems this year.

Amazon might not seem like the most natural destination for buying plants, but it's quickly become an unexpected hub for quality garden finds. As more reputable nurseries and specialist growers begin selling through the platform, shoppers can now access a much wider range of plants without having to visit a garden centre. Choosing trusted sellers is key, but many established growers now use Amazon to reach a broader audience, making it easier than ever to find something special for your home or yard.

Whether you've had a vision for your garden for the longest time and want to create that Pinterest-worthy outdoor space, or expanding your planting scheme has been sitting on the back burner, there's no better time to bag a bargain.

Here are some of the best plant deals available during Amazon Prime Day, along with the varieties I think are most worth adding to your garden or living space.

Houseplant Deals

Deals on Perennials

Rose Deals

Deals on Edibles

Every so often, a fabulously stylish product drops into ALDI’s middle aisle, bringing that effortlessly elegant landscape-designer vibe on a bargain budget. And this Belavi solar light designed to look like a mini fire bowl, part of this week's ALDI's garden design finds range, is one of them. The colors are nicely understated, leaving all the glory to the floral laser-cut pattern and the flowery shadows they’ll cast. With a flickering flame effect that illuminates for up to 8 hours, that’s a lot of patio style for the price.

Two sizes are available. The standard weather-resistant metal bowl has a diameter of 7 inches and is 5½ inches high in a warm bronze, a bonny blue and a modern matte black, and is a snip at $12.99. The larger bowl brings a choice of a lustrous bronze-copper effect and that sleek black finish, and measures just over 9½ inches across and 7⅓ inches high, at $19.99. Personally, I’d play with the size difference and snap up one of each of the black designs. The dark colorway will also deliver the strongest contrast with the golden solar light shining through the cut-out motifs.

How to Light Your Outside Space

Lighting your garden is a must for the summer evenings to come, bringing a cozy ambience for evenings spent on the patio, and should be a core part of your garden design. Solar lighting is a quick and easy way to light your backyard, saving the expense of calling in an electrician, and it's worth understanding solar light ratings before you buy if you want products that will last longer than one summer.

Taking a layered approach to garden lighting is best, just as you would with interior fixtures, using a combination of strong overhead lighting with side or table lamps that give smaller, softer pools of light. In the garden, the warm illumination provided by a solar light such as this fire bowl will create an inviting glow at the center of a seating area, alongside more practical products that enable you to safely see your way around your outside space. Get it right, and it's a fast way to make a small garden feel much bigger.

More Fabulous Solar Fire Bowls

ALDI’s Belavi Solar Fire Bowl drops on Thursday, May 6, so don’t miss out on this stylish garden bargain. If you’re not quick enough to make it to the middle aisle, don't fret: here are some alternatives.

Everybody's planting pollinator gardens these days. Right around the corner from me is a house with a certified pollinator garden, which is pretty cool. It's also pretty daunting. Is it really necessary to get your garden certified? What if you pick the wrong plants?

Well the good news is, bees don't actually care if you're certified or not. As long as you plant the kinds of flowers they like, they will come. And as far as picking the right plants, I've got you covered! Here are some of the best pollinator garden kits out there. They come with pre-selected collections of seeds and bulbs that bees and butterflies will love, and you can plant worry-free. Let's dive in!

Seed Mixes

Bulbs, Tubers, and More

More Ways to Welcome Pollinators

Our Favorite Plant Suppliers

Looking for more seeds, or maybe live plants to give your pollinators a quick boost? Here are some of our most trusted online nurseries:

• Nature Hills Nursery
• Garden Goods Direct
• Eden Brothers

Whether you prefer to shop for plants at the big box store or your small local nursery or garden center, clearance items can save you money. The clearance section for plants is a great way to find good deals, but you do need to know how to separate the duds from the hidden gems.

Even if it seems like a good deal to buy all discounted plants from the clearance rack, it may end up costing you more if you buy plants that are doomed to fail. Luckily, there are few telltale signs that will help you know whether a plant in the sale section is worth buying or not.

By knowing how to buy plants on sale or clearance, you can find annuals, perennials, and even shrubs or trees to add to your garden for less – and you won't waste money on dead or dying plants. Here are some tips on what to look for when buying plants in the clearance section, and some signs that you’re better off leaving certain plants behind.

Good Signs to Buy

First, let’s talk about what you should look for in a plant to buy from the sale table. Just because it’s been put in clearance doesn’t mean a plant isn’t healthy or doesn’t have some good life left in it. There could be a lot of reasons it’s there. For example, maybe the store bought too many or they just didn’t sell as well as expected. Or maybe there's just a pre-spring clearance sale like the one going on right now at Fast Growing Trees.

A clearance plant may not always look pretty to most buyers, but there are a few signs that signal it can be rejuvenated with a little care at home. Here are some things to look for as you decide whether a plant on clearance is worth purchasing:

1. Healthy Stems & Crowns

A lot of clearance plants look unhealthy because leaves have dropped or are discolored. This doesn’t mean they can’t be salvaged. Instead, look at the structure of the plant. If the stems are firm, a healthy color, and free of disease, you can likely save it.

Also, check out the crown of the plant where the stem or trunk meets the roots. It should be firm and solid without any mushiness or signs of crown rot or disease. A healthy crown is often bulbous. It should be peeking out above the surface of the soil.

2. New Growth

Another good sign that an otherwise sorry-looking plant could be saved is if it shows new growth. Look for little buds at the nodes on the stems, where new branches and leaves form.

Small, green leaves are also a good sign of new growth and that the plant has plenty of life left in it.

3. Healthy Roots

The root system is the best way to determine if a plant is healthy. Even if some of the above-soil growth has been damaged or discolored, healthy roots indicate that the plant can bounce back.

Roots aren’t necessarily easy to inspect, though. If you can, gently slide the plant out of its pot. Look for roots that are white or a light color, fleshy, and firm with no signs of mushiness or root rot.

4. Dormancy

A lack of foliage on a shrub or tree can look bad, but it just might mean you’re looking at a deciduous species that is currently dormant. If you can be patient, it should come back to life in the next growing season.

One way to tell if a plant is dormant rather than dying is to gently scratch away a small section of bark on a branch. If it’s green underneath, as opposed to brown, it’s probably just dormant.

Dormant trees and shrubs should also have firm buds at their nodes and the smaller branches and twigs should be flexible when you bend them.

Bad Signs to Avoid

Smart shopping in the clearance section can help you find plants worth keeping and also identify ones that are not worth even the sale price. These are some signs you should avoid buying a plant, even if the price is very low:

1. Root Rot

Always check the roots of a plant before buying, if you can. Healthy roots are a great sign that a plant can recover. Bad roots are not worth your time or money.

Look for roots that are dark brown or black, mushy and soft, or have visible fungus or mold on them. If most of the roots look healthy, you might be able to snip off the bad roots and save the plant, but you also risk bringing disease into your garden.

2. Diseased Leaves

Some discoloration of leaves if the plant looks otherwise healthy is not a big deal. However, you should avoid plants that show signs of disease on their leaves. This includes powdery mildew or mold and lots of dark spots on leaves.

3. Brittle Stems & Branches

A plant might have lost some leaves or have some leaf discoloration, but still has healthy stems or new growth that indicates it’s worth a gamble. On the other hand, plants with stems that feel dried out and branches that are brittle probably indicate they’re too far gone to save. Brittleness is a good indicator to help you tell whether or not a plant is dead.

4. Pests

Always check new plants, but especially clearance plants, for signs of common garden pests. Not only will infested plants be hard to save, but they might also transfer the infestation to your existing plants.

Obvious signs of pests are the pests themselves. But even if you can’t identify them, any pests on a plant is a bad sign. Other signs include webs, a sticky residue on leaves, white and fuzzy spots, and small black dots on leaves.

While you can potentially get a good deal on any type of plant in the clearance section, your best savings will come with longer-lasting plants.

It’s not necessarily worth your time or money to buy annuals late in the season that need to be revived. Instead, focus on perennials, shrubs, and trees. By putting time and effort into these plants you can enjoy them for years to come.

The internet is currently losing its mind over this candle from Loewe that apparently smells exactly like a tomato plant. Or, as the folks at Loewe put it, "evokes the fresh, verdant aroma of the vines just before they burst into fruit." The point is, it smells amazing. And even better, it smells like summer.

Gone are the days of pumpkin spice and cinnamon and those cloying, overly-sweet scents that we've come to associate with winter. What's in is the fresh explosion of new life that comes from brushing your fingers against the very first tomato seedlings of the spring. Doesn't that sound so much better?

Of course, there is one catch that comes with the wonder Loewe candle... the price point. This little puppy rings up to $130... and that's for the small. Now, for some people that's a small price to pay to have summer on tap. But if that feels a bit steep to you, I've sought out an array of dupes that are affordable enough you can get a couple as gifts and keep one for yourself.

And while you're buying for the vegetable-minded in your life, keep scrolling for more tomatoey gifts, from kitchen gear to apparel to more tomato scents.

Tomato Candles

Tomato Scents

More Tomato Gifts

For many gardeners, visiting the garden center or plant nursery makes you feel like a kid in a candy store! With rows upon rows of plants bursting with vibrant colors, and the sound of buzzing bees and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze, each step is filled with excitement and anticipation as you envision all of the possibilities for your own garden.

But with each step through the aisles of plants, tools, soils and supplies, even an experienced gardener may become overwhelmed by all of the options. Plus, the presence of busy staff may create additional pressure to ask the right questions and make informed decisions.

As a former garden center manager with 20 years of experience and an avid gardener myself with plenty of dirt under my fingernails, I understand the anxieties that can arise from both sides of the plant shopping experience. That’s why I want to share the secrets garden center employees wish shoppers knew–and how to make your next trip to the nursery the best one yet.

Top Garden Center Shopping Secrets

The staff at your local garden centers love what they do and are gardeners just like you. They simply want you to succeed.

By learning a few of their expert tips and money-saving hacks you can simplify the shopping process, learn how to buy plants that fit your space, avoid impulse plant purchases, and have more productive interactions with staff.

Here are my top tips for gardeners to ensure a successful shopping trip:

1. Don’t Shop on Weekends

The first secret is when to shop. Weekends and holidays can be hectic, to say the least. If possible, consider shopping on a weekday.

Visiting during the week allows you to avoid the crowds, experience shorter wait times at checkout, and garden center staff may have more time to provide expert advice. Plus, trucks typically deliver plants during the week. So your best selection may also be during the week.

2. Pay Attention to Plant Placement

The garden center may seem overwhelming with plants spaced in even rows in all corners of the lot. But most of the time the placement of these plants indicates a clue as to their light requirements. For example, if you need shade tolerant plants, look for sections under black shade cloths, pergolas, or awnings.

Plants placed in hot, blazing sun all day can typically tolerate those same light conditions in your garden. By carefully examining these cues, you can make informed decisions about which plants will thrive in your garden’s light conditions, ensuring the happiness and health of your plant.

3. Read the Tag

Many plants have an informational tag full of plant care abbreviations attached to the pot or hanging from the foliage. It often indicates light requirements, mature size, soil preferences, and special care requirements.

This is crucial information you should review before purchase. For example, you don’t want a large shrub in a space under a window as it might block your view. Plus, nearby signs may offer additional information not found on the plant tag. The same goes for the information on seed packets. These are valuable details about how to properly grow the plant.

Likewise, do not be afraid to analyze a plant. Gently pop it out of the pot to take a look at the root system. If a plant is severely root bound or has a very minimal root system, you may want to select a different plant.

4. Buy in Bulk

Many garden centers offer soil and mulch in bags as well as in bulk by the cubic yard. If you need a large supply of one of these materials, buying in bulk is a great way to save money. Simply calculate how much soil or mulch you need before heading to the garden center to decide whether buying in bulk is right for you.

For reference, the typical bag of soil or mulch is 2 cubic feet (.02 cubic meters) and one cubic yard of soil or mulch equals 13.5 bags.

Getting a delivery of a large pile of anything can seem daunting, but opting to purchase soil or mulch in bulk rather than individual bags can yield significant savings, even with the added delivery fee. You may even save enough to pick out a few more plants. Plus, bulk purchases minimize plastic packaging and reduce the number of trips needed to obtain all your supplies.

5. Get Expert Advice

We’re all accustomed to salespeople getting that extra dollar out of us by suggesting add-on products at the checkout. It may seem as though garden center employees are trying to upsell you, but do take heed of their advice. These local experts know your climate and native soil and can tell you exactly what your plant needs to thrive.

They may suggest compost or peat moss to improve the condition of your soil, especially in areas with heavy clay or large amounts of sand. They may also suggest a specific fertilizer for acid-loving plants, such as azaleas and certain hydrangea varieties, to help maintain the correct soil pH.

These products may seem like an unnecessary expense, but can provide essential nutrients and improve soil structure which may otherwise hinder healthy plant growth.

6. Go Native!

You may be attracted to the flashy, highly-promoted plants in fancy pots, but don’t overlook native flowers and plants that look great and are good for the environment.

Garden center staff know and love native plants because they are well-adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, making them low-maintenance choices for gardens. Native plants are less prone to insect and disease issues and can benefit local wildlife and the pollinator population.

So, on your next shopping trip be sure to seek out native plants over newer cultivars and hybrids, especially if you prefer a hassle-free landscape with minimal upkeep.

7. Ask for Design Ideas

Another secret garden center employees want you to know is that they can actually help you design your landscape, even if you don’t want to hire a landscape designer. However, they will need a bit of information from you first.

Gather important details about your space and sketch your garden with dimensions of the planting beds, location of windows and sidewalks, and most importantly, which direction is north. Knowing which way is north is crucial as it determines the amount of sunlight and shade different areas of the garden, or different sides of the house, will receive throughout the day.

Garden center experts can offer guidance on plant placement, arrangement, and spacing as well as which plants you should grow for winter interest, extended blooming, and color contrast.

8. Three Plants Are Better Than One

If you ask a garden center employee if one or two plants is enough, they will probably tell you to buy three of the same plant instead. Don’t worry, they’re not trying to upsell you. This is one of the fundamental principles of good landscape design.

Odd numbered groupings offer a sense of visual interest, creating a balanced and visually pleasing design. They may suggest buying three or five of the same plant to add a natural balance to your landscape. Sure, you may only need one tree or one single specimen as a focal point but smaller shrubs and perennials look best when you plant in drifts of odd numbers.

9. Save Money With Perennials

Annual flowers are the backbone of many garden center businesses. However, like you, garden center employees have limited free time and understand the time-consuming and costly nature of planting the same plants every year.

For this reason, they may suggest gardening with perennials to help maximize your budget. You can plant them just once and they will return year after year, eliminating the need for yearly planting the associated expenses that come with annuals.

Many perennials offer a diverse range of bloom times and boast attractive foliage that provides texture and contrast throughout the growing season. You can also divide perennial plants after a few years of growth to expand your plant collection for free. Not only will you save money over time but you’ll create a sustainable landscape with minimal effort.

10. Buy Buds, Not Blooms

Your eye may be drawn to a plant in full bloom, but it’s always wise to buy plants with buds rather than blooms. Blooming plants offer instant gratification, but plants with buds will bloom longer once you plant them in your garden. That means you will enjoy an extended period of flowering as the buds open gradually over time.

So, while at the garden center, take a moment to admire the blooming plants (you can even take a picture!) but choose the ones that are full of buds, not blooms.

11. Save Your Receipt

Just like shopping anywhere else, be sure to save your receipt. Many garden centers offer a return policy or a generous warranty policy.

If you get home and realize you made the wrong choice, you may be able to return the plant for a refund or store credit. Or if your plant suffers or dies within the warranty period, your receipt may guarantee you a replacement.

12. Watch Out for Aggressive Growers

Some plants come with a warning right on their label. If you see the words "vigorous," "aggressive," "robust" or "needs room to grow," that’s an easy way to identify invasive plants or plants that could become problems in your garden.

If you’re looking for a petunia to fill a large container, the word “vigorous” may be beneficial but if you’re in need of a small patch of ground cover and you pick up a bugleweed that is listed as “aggressive,” you may have an out of control plant in a short period of time. These plants are not necessarily considered invasive but they could spread rapidly and smother their neighbors.

Mint is a popular example of a vigorous plant that you should only grow in containers. Never plant mint in the ground as it spreads by underground runners, quickly dominating garden beds and potentially requiring constant vigilance to prevent it from spreading beyond its designated area.

Employees can help steer you away from invasive plants that are common in garden centers and show you which alternatives you should grow instead.

We’ve all been there. Christmas is rapidly approaching, and your shopping is still not done. You’re looking for last-minute garden gifts for a diehard gardener but are getting nowhere and you have no idea about Christmas gifts for gardeners.

Take a deep breath and keep reading because we have plenty of Christmas garden shopping ideas. You may even be able to save a bundle on Green Monday gift ideas!

What is Green Monday?

Green Monday is a term coined by the online retail industry to represent the best sales day of the month in December. This day is the last Monday of December with at least ten days before the Christmas holiday.

Despite its name, Green Monday has nothing to do with the environment or anything eco-friendly. Instead, “green” is a reference to how much money online retailers make, as this date is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and also refers to how much money the purchaser can save due to big sales.

Yes, there are some big sales on Green Monday, the perfect time to look for Green Monday gift ideas and save some green.

Last Minute Garden Gifts

Money might be tight or not a concern, but with Christmas garden shopping, there’s a gift for every budget. For instance, coffee mugs and t-shirts sporting garden-related quotes abound and won’t break the bank. If pennies are really being pinched, you can also make a DIY Christmas gift for gardeners.

A DIY last-minute Christmas gift for gardeners might be something you already have on hand. If you are a gardener, you may have canned, preserved, or dried produce, all of which make great gifts for your gardening friends. Of course, gardeners like plants, and for a bit more money, you can make a terrarium or even decorate a pot and plant a winter bloomer like kalanchoe, mini-rose, or cyclamen.

Need a few more things to look for when Christmas garden shopping? Try these:

• Decorative Markers or Stakes
• Fabric Pots
• Garden Art
• Gardener’s Logbook
• Birdhouse
• Indoor Gardening Kit
• Decorative Watering Can
• Gardener’s Tote
• Garden Gloves
• Specialty Seeds
• Books On Gardening
• Sun Hat
• Rain Boots
• Paper Pot Maker

Make a Donation in a Loved One's Name

Another fantastic gift idea is a donation in a friend or family member's name. This holiday season, all of us Gardening Know How are working to put food on the tables of those in need by raising money for both Feeding America and World Central Kitchen. Every one of our community members will be gifted a copy of our latest eBook, "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects for the Fall and Winter" with a donation. Click here to learn more.

Additional Christmas Gifts for Gardeners

Tools make gardening easier and most gardeners like a new gadget whether it is garden gloves with claws or adjustable flow drip spikes for irrigation. A telescoping bramble pruner would certainly be appreciated for taming raspberries, roses, honeysuckle, and other brambling vines or weeds.

Other options include:

• A Succulent Planter
• A Christmas Ornament Reflective of Gardening
• Botanical Hand or Body Lotion
• Gardener’s Soap
• Bee or Bat House
• Gardening Phone Case
• Botanical Prints
• Cookbooks
• Ceramics That Evoke the Garden
• Garden Inspired Jewelry or Printed Tea Towels

Lastly, you can never go wrong giving your gardening friends a plant. This might be a physical plant, either a houseplant or outdoor specimen, or seeds to start something cool, a mushroom grow kit, or my personal favorite, a gift card to a nursery or hardware store. Shopping and plants! What could be better?

A perfect winter gift for anyone who appreciates plants is a potted flower or another plant. Mini gift pots and grow kit gifts aren’t just for gardeners. Anyone will enjoy a little greenery or some flowers when everything outdoors has gone dormant or been covered in snow. Try these ideas to brighten someone’s birthday or holiday, or just because.

What are Growing Pot Kits?

A quick search online or a trip to your local garden center will turn up these mini gift pots. They come with everything needed to grow a flower or houseplant, a small pot full of soil with seeds, and instructions.

Flowerpots as gifts with plants already growing are great, but it’s a fun project to start something indoors, especially in winter. People love these gifts, and they work well for advanced gardeners and beginners. Some of the variety of plant kits you’ll find include:

• Projects for kids
• Herb kits
• Small kitchen gardens
• Mushroom kits
• Hydroponic kits
• Cactus and succulent kits
• Biodegradable pots for plating outdoors in spring

Making Plant Pot Gifts

One way to gift plants is by making your own grow kits for friends to enjoy. Sure, you can buy them, but making gift kits is a fun winter gardening project. Take inspiration from those available for sale and make your own. All you need is a container, potting soil, seeds, and care instructions. Decorate for bonus points. Here are some ideas:

• Provide seeds for a friend’s birth month flower
• Gift bulb kits in winter for forcing spring flowers
• Create mini herb gardens for friends who like to cook
• Make a microgreen kit for a health-conscious friend

Beware of Allergic Plant Pot Gifts

When giving a thoughtful gift, the last thing you want to do is trigger someone’s allergies. If you know the recipient well, this shouldn’t be an issue. When bringing a plant as a hostess gift or for a co-worker whose allergies you don’t know, take care. Here are some typical houseplants to avoid because they tend to trigger allergies:

• Male palm trees
• Orchids
• Ficus
• Ivy
• Bonsai trees
• Yucca

African violets can be problematic for anyone with a dust allergy. The soft, furry leaves collect dust. Keep these tips and ideas in mind and you’ll be the hit of the holidays, bringing cheer, greenery, and growth.

Vertical spaces are great opportunities to grow more plants. Whether it’s a useful kitchen garden or just a beautiful wall of green, a living wall can enliven any indoor or outdoor space. If designing and building one seems a little daunting, consider starting a living wall from a kit that provides materials and instructions. These also make excellent gifts.

What is a Living Wall?

A living wall is simply a vertical planting space. Growing plants in some kind of structure that is erected on or against a wall creates a green, living garden on a wall, fence, or other vertical surface.

Some people use vertical outdoors spaces, like fences or patios, to create more growing area in a small space. Others embrace the living wall simply as a design element or to make a wall (indoors or out) more interesting and a focal point. It’s a fun new trend in both interior and garden design.

How to Grow a Living Wall Kit?

Designing and building your own structure for a living wall is great if you have the skill set for it. However, if you are no designer and not a handy builder, you might want to consider getting a wall plant kit.

The product you order should come with some specific instructions on how to get started. Each kit may be slightly different, so be sure to read the living wall kit information before you dive in and start constructing and planting.

First, make sure when you purchase a living wall kit, that it matches your needs. It should fit your space and provide what you need to be able to construct it. The design should also match your style. Some living wall kits are rustic, others modern, and they use a variety of materials like plastic, wood, and metal.

For the simplest kits, you will only have to hang something on the wall and then add growing material and plants. Be sure that you have a way to water the plants and a system for catching drainage if the kit doesn’t account for that. Once you get all the elements together, and if you have bought the kit that works best for your home, putting it up and enjoying it will be a piece of cake.

Holiday season plants are a must have for many celebrants but so often they are treated as throwaways once the season is over. There are many non-traditional, unusual holiday plants that can be used as décor or gifts well after the season has ended.

Interested in incorporating different plants for Christmas? Read on to learn about unique Christmas plants.

Holiday Season Plants

We all know which holiday season plants will be available: poinsettias, Christmas cactus, amaryllis, and the like. Once the season has passed, many of us toss them out but there are a number of unique Christmas plants available that will keep on giving long after that season has passed. 

Non-Traditional Holiday Plants

When looking for different plants for Christmas, think about plants that can be maintained year-round. Some alternative holiday season plants even have names appropriate to the season. These include:

• Peace Lily - Peace lily is easy to grow even in low light conditions and its dark green leaves and white blooms complement Christmas décor.
• Star of Bethlehem - Star of Bethlehem produces aloe-like leaves atop which spikes of white blooms loom. These small, white blooms, as the name suggests, resemble stars. Native to Africa, it can be grown indoors or outside in USDA zones 7 to 11.
• Christmas fern - Christmas fern is a glossy evergreen with a tidy growth habit. These unique Christmas plants weather winter well and hang on to their 3 foot (91 cm.) long green fronds well into the season and make incredibly beautiful houseplants.
• Lenten rose - Lenten rose, also referred to as hellebore, is an evergreen perennial that blooms even in heavy soils and shade. They can be grown as unusual holiday plants indoors and then transplanted out into the garden.

Other Unusual Holiday Plants

• Succulents have become increasingly popular over the years and with good reason. There are many shapes, colors, and sizes of succulent. They can be mixed in a larger container or grown separately and then when temps warm moved outside.
• Croton sports large leaves of vibrant orange, green, and red, perfect hues to warm the home during the holiday season.
• Air plants are nifty little plants that can be used in a multitude of ways. Tie them onto a wreath, use them as centerpieces, or use them instead of a bow on presents.
• Orchids make lovely but slightly different blooming plants for Christmas. One of the easiest orchids to grow are slipper orchids with their mottled green leaves and striking blooms.
• Staghorn fern is one of the coolest looking plants and definitely a unique Christmas plant. Also known as elkhorn fern, these plants are epiphytes meaning they don’t need to be planted in soil. The unique array of fronds looking just like a rack of antlers make them anything but a ho-hum Christmas plant.
• Lastly, not so long ago, a popular Christmas stocking stuffer was an orange or clementine. Think a little broader and grow your own fruit by growing a dwarf citrus tree indoors. The tree can grow until the spring when temperatures warm and then be brought outside, plus you have the added bonus of homegrown citrus fruit.

For homesteaders and hobby farmers, the quest to increase productivity and self-sufficiency is never-ending. From gardening to raising small animals, the work may feel as if it is never done. With the approach of the holiday season or other special occasions, friends and family of those who homestead may find themselves at a loss when considering what gifts may be most useful.

Fortunately, there are several gifts for homesteaders that prove to be both thoughtful and practical.

Gifts for Backyard Farmers and Homesteaders

In exploring homesteader gift ideas, consider the individual. Gifts for backyard farmers will vary depending upon need and size of one’s own homestead.

Consider setting a budget for the gift. While many much needed items for the farm can be quite expensive, this doesn’t mean more budget friendly options are without merit. Since many hobby farmers focus on sustainability, consider choosing a gift that will continue to be of value for years to come.

Items that assist farmers in the production of crops are ideal for those who work to achieve self-sufficiency. Supplies related to composting, irrigation, and even season extension may be just what’s needed to make the most out of their garden space.

Hobby farmer gifts can also include tools related to raising animals. It is important to note, however, that presents for homesteaders related to livestock will require additional research and or input from the farmers themselves.

Other Presents for Homesteaders

Homesteader gift ideas should not be limited to items used outdoors. Among the most popular gifts for homesteaders are those that help to teach a new skill. Various do-it-yourself kits may be especially welcomed. From learning to bake bread from scratch to soapmaking, gifts for backyard farmers that teach a valuable skill are sure to be a success.

Other gifts related to chores and activities on the farm may be greatly appreciated. Consider items helpful in the preservation of the harvest, like canning supplies or new kitchenware. Cleaning supplies may also be useful, especially for busy families that frequently work outdoors under muddy or inclement conditions.

Lastly, gift givers may want to consider making a present of self-care items. A working hobby farm can be a tiring and stressful place to live. Though a labor of love, even the most dedicated farmer may need time for pampering and relaxation.

Looking for more gift ideas? Join us this holiday season in supporting two amazing charities working to put food on the tables of those in need, and as a thank you for donating, you’ll receive our latest eBook, Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects for the Fall and Winter. These DIYs are perfect gifts to show loved ones you're thinking of them or gift the eBook itself! Click here to learn more.

Gardeners grow a lot of things, but they rarely tackle mushrooms. For the gardener, or food and fungi lover in your life who has everything else, gift a mushroom log kit. These DIY mushroom logs are just what they sound like: an easy way to grow your own edible fungi.

Growing Mushroom Logs Indoors

Most people get mushrooms from the grocery store or farmers’ market. Some knowledgeable and intrepid adventurers brave the outdoors to forage for mushrooms. Foraging presents some obvious risks if you are not trained to distinguish between edible and toxic fungi. While buying mushrooms is safe, it’s not as fun for some as finding them.

What’s the obvious happy medium? Growing a mushroom log, of course. If you didn’t realize this was possible, a quick online search shows you all the options and how easy it is. These kits make unique gifts, both for others and for yourself.

Mushroom Log Gift – How it Works

This is a great gift idea for a gardener friend or that DIY family member who loves to cook. Once you see it for yourself, you’ll probably want your own mushroom log. These logs allow you to grow oyster, shiitake, chicken of the woods, lion’s mane, and other edible mushroom varieties.

Companies selling these kits forage for logs and inoculate them with organic, edible mushroom spores. You can buy a kit for most types of mushroom. These are the easiest types to use. You receive the prepared log, soak it in water, and then leave it in a cool dark place until the mushrooms grow. The log will need to be moistened occasionally.

Other kit companies sell the ingredients needed to sow your own mushrooms. They provide the plugs to put in a log and other materials. You find the log in your yard and grow the mushrooms outside.

This is a great gift idea for anyone who enjoys DIY projects and growing their own food. For the gardener you think has everything, a mushroom log kit is a welcome and pleasant surprise.

Kits to grow food are great gift ideas for the holidays, birthdays, new homes, or even for yourself. They can be as simple or as high-tech as you need, from seed-growing kits to elaborate hydroponic sets with grow lights, timers, and helpful hints.

Kits for Edible Countertop Growing

Kits work well for new gardeners as well as seasoned pros, indoors or out. When outdoor growing becomes an impossibility, look no further than countertop growing kits ideal for kitchens and windowsills. Here are some options for gifting kits to grow food.

Herb and vegetable kits seem to be the biggest demand, but you can even find mushroom growing kits and, well, edible chrysanthemum greens. Pricing runs the gamut from low to high, so gift giving is easy. There are subscription services to try that take all the guesswork out of gardening with yearlong help, how-to’s, and fully rooted plants, soilless mixes, and nutrients.

Good choices for countertop growing are kits for herbs, microgreens, and low-maintenance vegetables. Herbs can vary with what you like and what are suitable for indoors such as:

• Parsley
• Dill
• Oregano
• Chives
• Lavender
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Mint
• Cilantro

Vegetable growing kits can include seeds and accessories or full-blown, advanced systems with automatic programming. Good choices for easy vegetables are:

• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Radishes
• Peppers
• Cucumbers
• Kale
• Lettuces

Microgreen growing kits produce tasty, leafy greens ideal for salads and burgers in only two to three weeks. They are easy to grow in water and kits with special receptacles and a small, overhead grow light are available for gifting. For the more advanced gardeners, skip the kits and put together your own indoor garden with easy-to-grow vegetables and herbs. Dust off an old bookshelf, add grow lights, and voila!

Kits to grow food such as a vegetable gardening gift or other edible garden kits can make productive use of small, unused spaces such as a balcony, patio, or countertop. Those who never thought they had the room or know-how to garden will have fun with these introductory growing kits and advanced systems. 

As we transition through the different chapters of our lives, we often find the need to declutter our homes. Whenever gardeners get rid of used items to make room for new, the question of what to do with old garden books often arises. If you find reselling reading material to be too much of a hassle, consider gifting or donating used gardening books.

Old Gardening Book Uses

As the saying goes, one man's trash is another man's treasure. You might try gifting used gardening books to your gardening friends. Gardening books you've outgrown or no longer want might be exactly what another gardener is seeking.

Do you belong to a garden club or community garden group? Try wrapping up the year with a gift exchange featuring gently used gardening books. Add to the excitement by making it a white elephant exchange where participants can “steal” one another's gifts.

Try gifting used gardening books by including a “Free Books” box at your club's next plant sale. Include one at your yearly garage sale or set one near the curb. Consider asking the proprietor of your favorite greenhouse or gardening center if they'd add a “Free Books” box to their counter as a resource for their customers.

How to Donate Garden Books

You might also consider gifting used gardening books to various organizations which accept these types of donations. Many of these non-profits resell the books to generate income for their programs.

When donating used gardening books, it's advisable to call the organization first to confirm what types of book donations they will accept. NOTE: Due to Covid-19, many organizations are not currently accepting book donations, but may again in the future.

Here's a list of possible organizations to check out when you're trying to figure out what to do with old garden books:

• Friends of the Library – This group of volunteers work out of local libraries to collect and resell books. Gifting used gardening books can generate income for library programs and purchasing new reading material.
• Master Gardeners Program – Working out of the local extension office, these volunteers help educate the public on gardening practices and horticulture.
• Thrift stores – Consider donating used gardening books to Goodwill or the Salvation Army stores. Reselling donated items helps fund their programs.
• Prisons – Reading benefits inmates in many ways, but most book donations need to be made through a prison literacy program. These can be located online.
• Hospitals – Many hospitals accept donations of gently used books for their waiting rooms and for reading material for patients.
• Church rummage sales – The proceeds of these sales are often used to fund the church's outreach and educational programs.
• Little Free Library – These volunteer-sponsored boxes are popping up in many areas as a way to rehome gently used books. The philosophy is to leave a book, then take a book.
• Freecycle – These local website groups are moderated by volunteers. Their purpose is to connect those wishing to keep usable items out of landfills with people who want these items.
• Online Organizations – Search online for various organizations which collect used books for specific groups, such as our troops overseas or third world countries.

Remember, donating used gardening books to these groups is a charitable tax deduction.

Garden related gifts can be fun to give, as well as to receive. While conventional items, like seed packets or digging tools, are always useful, more unique garden gifts can be specifically tailored to the recipient. Exploring creative ideas for hard-to-shop-for gardeners will help ensure gifts are both useful and considerate of the grower’s specific needs.

Unconventional garden gifts are an excellent way to make gift giving this season, and every season, more meaningful.

Choosing Unique Garden Gifts

Choosing gifts for gardeners who have everything can be extremely difficult. This is especially true when considering the needs of long-time growers, like parents and/or grandparents. Fortunately, several ideas for unique garden gifts exist, which are sure to excite.

Among these are items that assist in the creation of wildlife habitat, products for self-care, and help with tasks around the yard.

• Statues and other outdoor decorative items can cater to the grower’s distinctive design and style.
• Bee houses, bird baths, and various types of feeders are popular options among those wishing to attract native pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden space.
• Other unique garden gifts, such as exfoliating hand soap and bath soaks, may be ideal for those who spend long days working outdoors. While self-care gifts are extremely common, growers are sure to appreciate items specific to their needs. These may include unconventional garden gifts like poison ivy soap, sunscreen, and various other types of soothing lotions.
• Those shopping for gifts for gardeners who have everything may choose to take a different approach. Instead of purchasing a physical gift, many may give their time. Hard-to-shop-for gardeners will no doubt appreciate help or services like mowing grass, weeding, and other tasks.
• While these do-it-yourself gifts are a popular when given by children and teens, they are also applicable for adults. Hiring professional landscaping services is an excellent way to help loved ones finish much needed garden chores and begin spending more quality time outdoors.

Looking for more gift ideas? Join us this holiday season in supporting two amazing charities working to put food on the tables of those in need, and as a thank you for donating, you’ll receive our latest eBook, Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects for the Fall and Winter. These DIYs are perfect gifts to show loved ones you're thinking of them or gift the eBook itself! Click here to learn more.

As gardeners, we’re lucky people indeed. We spend time in nature, growing healthy fruits and vegetables for our families or planting colorful annuals that brighten entire neighborhoods. Are you wondering how to give back?

For most of us, gardening is limited during the winter months, but there are still many ways to help others. Read on for tips and ideas for holiday garden giving.

Holiday Garden Giving: Holiday Donations

• Arrange a community clean-up, then spend the day pulling weeds and hauling away trash. A community event instills pride and encourages people to spruce up their yards.
• Next time you visit your local drive-through coffee stand, surprise the folks in the car behind you by paying for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
• Volunteer your time at a local animal shelter. Shelters usually need people to pet, hug, walk, and play with the animals.
• It will soon be time to start seeds indoors. Plant a few extra seeds this year, then give the seedlings to new gardeners this spring. Patio tomatoes in containers are great gifts for apartment dwellers.
• If you enjoy being outdoors, offer to shovel a sidewalk or driveway for an elderly neighbor.
• Tuck a packet of vegetable or flower seeds in Christmas cards and send them to your gardening friends. If you collect seeds from your garden, put a few in homemade envelopes. Be sure to label the envelopes clearly and include planting information.

Ways to Help Others: Holiday Donations and Holiday Charity Ideas

• Ask a local garden center to help with a Christmas poinsettia fundraiser for a local community garden, school garden project, or garden club. Many garden centers have programs in place.
• Holiday donations could include gifting a blooming plant such as viburnum, hydrangea, or rhododendron to a local nursing facility or senior care home. Evergreen trees and shrubs are also appreciated and look pretty year-round.
• Ask your local school district if they have a school garden program. Volunteer to help with planning, planting, seeds, or cash for the coming gardening season.
• Next time you visit the supermarket, buy a bag of produce. Drop it off with an elderly neighbor, senior meal center, or soup kitchen.

Looking for more ways to give back? Join us this holiday season in supporting two amazing charities working to put food on the tables of those in need, and as a thank you for donating, you’ll receive our latest eBook, Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects for the Fall and Winter. Click here to learn more.

Giving seeds as gifts is a wonderful surprise for the gardeners in your life, whether you buy seeds from a garden center or harvest seeds from your own plants. DIY seed gifts needn’t be expensive, but they’re always welcome. Read on for helpful tips on giving seeds as presents.

Tips on Gifting Seeds

Always remember to consider your recipient. Where does the recipient live? Be careful and don’t send seeds that may be invasive in that area. Check the U.S. Department of Agriculture website for more information.

• Are they a foodie that would love to grow fresh herbs or leafy greens?
• Would they like plants that attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, or native plants that provide seed and shelter for birds?
• Does your friend like wildflowers? Would they enjoy a cutting garden with wildflowers or bright, easy flowers like zinnias and California poppies?
• Is your friend a seasoned gardener or a newbie? An experienced gardener might appreciate DIY seed gifts with heirlooms or unusual plants like bear paw popcorn, peppermint stick celery, or Peruvian black mint.

Giving Seeds as Presents

Put the gift seeds in a baby food jar, tin container, or make your own paper seed packets out of brown paper bags and string. You can also use a regular white envelope and dress it up with your own artwork or decorate it with glossy magazine pictures.

Include a seed packet in a gardener’s gift basket with gloves, hand lotion, scented soap, and a trowel or dandelion weeder, or tuck a packet of seeds into a terracotta pot tied with ribbon or string.

Make simple wildflower seed bombs for planting in a meadow, along a riverbank, in a flower bed, or even in containers. Simply combine five handfuls of peat-free compost, three handfuls of potter’s clay, and a handful of wildflower seeds. Add water gradually, kneading as you go, until you can form the mixture into walnut-sized balls. Set the seed balls in a sunny spot to dry.

Include growing information when giving seeds as gifts, especially the plant’s needs for sunlight and water.

Looking for a unique gift idea? How about giving a CSA box? Gifting community food boxes has multiple benefits, not the least of which is that the recipient will receive the freshest produce, meat, or even flowers. Community Supported Agriculture also helps keep smaller farms in business, allowing them to give back to their community. So how do you give a farm share gift?

About Community Supported Agriculture

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), or subscription farming, is where a community of people pay an annual or seasonal fee ahead of a harvest that helps the farmer pay for seed, equipment maintenance, etc. In return, you receive weekly or monthly shares of the harvest.

CSAs are membership based and rely on the idea of mutual support – “We’re all in this together.” Some CSA food boxes need to be picked up at the farm while others are delivered to a central location for pick up.

Farm Share Gift

CSAs are not always produce based. Some have meat, cheese, eggs, flowers, and other products made from farmed produce or livestock. Other CSAs work cooperatively with each other to supply their shareholders’ needs. This might mean that a CSA provides produce, meat, eggs, and flowers while other products are brought in through other farmers.

Remember that a farm share gift box is delivered seasonally, which means that what you can buy from the supermarket may not be available at a CSA. There is no official count regarding the number of CSAs around the country, but LocalHarvest has over 4,000 listed in their database.

Farm share gifts vary in cost and depend upon the product received, the price set by the producer, location, and other factors.

Giving a CSA Box

Gifting community food boxes enables the recipient to try different types of produce that they might not otherwise be exposed to. Not all CSAs are organic, although many are, but if this is a priority for you, do your homework beforehand.

Before gifting a community food box, ask questions. It is advisable to inquire about the size of the box and expected type of produce. Also, ask how long they have been farming and running a CSA. Ask about delivery, what their policies are as to missed pickups, how many members they have, if they are organic, and how long the season is.

Ask what percentage of the food they are producing and, if not all, find out where the rest of the food comes from. Lastly, ask to speak with a couple of other members to learn of their experience with this CSA.

Gifting a CSA box is a thoughtful gift that keeps giving, but as with most anything, do your research before you commit.

Looking for more gift ideas? Join us this holiday season in supporting two amazing charities working to put food on the tables of those in need, and as a thank you for donating, you’ll receive our latest eBook, Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects for the Fall and Winter. These DIYs are perfect gifts to show loved ones you're thinking of them or gift the eBook itself! Click here to learn more.

Do you remember when you headed off to college? If you were lucky, you might have gotten occasional care packages from home filled with things your family thought you needed, anything from new socks to grandma’s chocolate chip cookies.

Now that we are all locked into a stay-at-home pandemic mode, it may be time to pack up gifts of your own to send to those you miss but haven’t been able to meet up with. Whether or not they are gardeners yet, soothing gardening gifts can help them develop love for making things grow.

COVID Self-Care Gifting

For many people, 2020 has been one of the loneliest years on record as we all were urged to hunker down. Families couldn’t socialize with families and grandparents were left alone, whether across town or across the country. Even now, months after the pandemic declaration, the virus remains unchecked and travel isn’t recommended. 

So how to reach out and tell someone that you are thinking of them and wishing them well, especially with the holidays approaching? Just like your parents did when you went to college, you can put together social distance garden gifts to send to those you love and miss seeing. Here’s some ideas on how to put together a quarantine self-care kit.

Garden Gifts for Quarantine

What types of soothing garden gifts should go into a quarantine self-care kit? Start with the main gift, something involving gardening. One great idea is a terrarium kit containing everything you need to put together a cool DIY terrarium.

Many include the container– anything from a bowl to a clear fishbowl to a glass pyramid box– and plants to go inside like tillandsia air plants and succulents. What a great way to help your friend add a little green to their space! It is perfect for COVID self-care gifting.

If the friend or family member you are gifting is already a gardener, there are lots of garden gifts for quarantine self-care packs. Many have turned to their garden as a refuge in these difficult times, and it makes it easy enough to find wonderful little garden luxuries to give them that would be a real treat.

Thoughtful garden gifts could include classy and durable garden gloves to protect your loved one’s hands from thorns, a gardening kit full of all the hand tools that make planting and weeding easier, or a gardening appliance that lets a person use their phone’s camera to identify plants they aren’t familiar with.

One last thought, an herb or succulent gift box containing an easy-care herb or succulent plant plus a fragrant candle. Some of these even include an inspirational little gift card to remind your friend not to give up.

Looking for more gift ideas? Join us this holiday season in supporting two amazing charities working to put food on the tables of those in need, and as a thank you for donating, you’ll receive our latest eBook, Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects for the Fall and Winter. These DIYs are perfect gifts to show loved ones you're thinking of them or gift the eBook itself! Click here to learn more.

Is there someone in your circle of family or friends who’s just getting into the hobby of gardening? Maybe this is a recently adopted hobby or just something they now have the time to practice. Surprise those new gardeners with gifts they may not yet even realize they’ll need.

Easy to Find Gifts for New Gardeners

As the following gifts will most likely be useful soon, you can impress your friends or family members with your knowledge and all the thought you’ve put into these gifts.

• Gardening Calendar: This is an easy garden gift, with more selections than you might imagine. You can purchase large print or small print with room for notes, including beautiful photos of plants, flowers, and gardens. You may also gift a garden calendar loaded with information like when to plant, when to expect your harvest, and information about the weather or even specific regions.
• Gloves: Help the new gardener protect their hands or save a manicure with a nice pair of gardening gloves. These have a variety of features and prices and are useful for all types of gardening chores. If the gardener will be working with cactus, get a thick leather pair.
• Tools: Pruners, knives, scissors, bypass pruners, and loppers often come in handy for any gardener. These are essential for the well-manicured landscape and often necessary when propagating plants. It’s so pleasant to use a new sharp pair. Bypass pruners are the best type for many smaller chores. A tool sharpener or tool sharpening kit may also be a great gift for the active gardener.

More Unusual Gifts for a Beginner Gardener

• Soil Test Kit: One of those beginner gardening gift ideas that the gardener might not even think of is a soil testing kit. It’s hard to get through a gardening season without having reason to test soil in some part of the landscape. A range of soil tests are available, most checking for the soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash. You may also make a note on the card, letting the new gardener know that soil tests are sometimes done through the local county extension office.
• Row Cover Kit: These can come in handy both outside and in the greenhouse. Row covers are used for frost protection, in conjunction with pest control, and as a support for shade cloth. The various reasons for its use are many. For the new gardener planting a traditional garden outdoors, this is an unusual and thoughtful gift.
• Garden Box Subscription: A box filled with seeds, supplies, or unusual plants to add to your collection is a real treat for the beginning gardener. As it’s something we might not invest in for ourselves, it makes a wonderful gift. Several companies offer some version of the garden box subscription.

Looking for more gift ideas? Join us this holiday season in supporting two amazing charities working to put food on the tables of those in need, and as a thank you for donating, you’ll receive our latest eBook, Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects for the Fall and Winter. These DIYs are perfect gifts to show loved ones you're thinking of them or gift the eBook itself! Click here to learn more.

Very few things beat the feeling of relaxing with a good book. Many gardeners know this feeling well, especially as the gardening season begins winding down during the cooler months of fall and winter. Thumbing through a selection from the garden bookshelf can ignite the imagination, and help enhance green thumbs without being able to actually dig into the soil.

Book Ideas for Gardeners

Gardening books for nature lovers make excellent gifts for any occasion, and it’s never too early to start thinking about those gift lists. With so many options, choosing the best gardening books can be quite difficult. Fortunately, we have compiled a list of our favorites.

• The New Organic Grower (Eliot Coleman) – Eliot Coleman is well known in the gardening community for his many books regarding season extension and growing throughout all four seasons. Techniques include the use of frost blankets, unheated hoop houses, and various other methods in which growers are able to maximize their gardens, even when the weather is exceptionally cold. Other works by Coleman include The Winter Harvest Handbook and Four Season Harvest.
• Epic Tomatoes (Craig Lehoullier) – Who doesn’t love a good tomato? For many gardeners, growing their first tomatoes is a rite of passage. Novice and experienced growers alike agree that Epic Tomatoes is an engaging book which details tomato varieties, as well as a wide range of tips for a successful growing season.
• The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible (Edward C. Smith) – Among the best gardening books, this comprehensive guide always ranks quite high. In this book, Smith places emphasis on the techniques and methods used to produce high yield growing spaces. Smith’s discussion of raised beds and organic growing techniques make this book extremely valuable to a wide gardening audience. Detailed information on a large range of garden vegetables and herbs further cements its use as a true garden guide for your bookshelf.
• Great Garden Companions (Sally Jean Cunningham) – Companion gardening is the process of interplanting within the garden to encourage the specific results. Marigolds, for example, are said to deter certain pests in the garden. In this book, Cunningham offers an exciting look into potential companion plants and their purpose. Gaining popularity in recent years, this concept is especially appealing to organic growers.
• Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden (Erin Benzakein and Julie Chai) – Among the best gardening books for nature lovers is one which is also quite beautiful. Though many gardeners focus on vegetables, expanding your knowledge to include flowers can be an excellent way to sharpen your growing skills too. This book focuses on the creation of cut flower gardens. Exceptionally photographed by Michele Waite, the book is likely to leave gardeners planning a new flower bed next season.
• Cool Flowers (Lisa Mason Ziegler) – Ziegler is a well-known cut flower farmer. In her book, she explores the impact of planting hardy annual flowers in the garden. Since hardy annual flowers can withstand some cold and frost, this book may be especially appealing to those wishing to continue growing once the weather is less than ideal.
• Vintage Roses (Jan Eastoe) – Eastoe’s book brings into focus the beauty of old roses. Though its beautiful photography by Georgianna Lane makes it an excellent coffee table book, there is no doubt that the information regarding specific cultivars of vintage roses is sure to spark curiosity in both the budding rose grower and seasoned ones.

Is it safe to order garden supplies online? Although it’s wise to be concerned about package safety during quarantines, or any time you’re ordering plants online, the risk of contamination is actually very low.

The following information will help keep you and your family safe.

Is it Safe to Order Garden Supplies?

The U.S. Postal Service and the World Health Organization (WHO) have announced that there is very little risk that an infected person can contaminate commercial goods, even when the package is shipped from another country.

The chance that COVID-19 will be carried on a package is also low. Due to shipping conditions, the virus is unlikely to survive for more than a few days, and one study by the National Institutes of Health indicated the virus may survive on cardboard for no more than 24 hours.

However, your package may be handled by several people, and hopefully nobody coughed or sneezed on the package before it arrived at your house. If you’re still concerned, or if somebody in your family is in a high-risk group, there are extra steps you can take when ordering plants in the mail. It never hurts to be careful.

Handling Garden Packages Safely

Here are some precautions you should take when receiving packages:

• Wipe the package carefully with rubbing alcohol or an antibacterial wipe before opening.
• Open the package outdoors. Dispose of the packaging safely in a closed container.
• Be careful about touching other items, such as pens used to sign for the package.
• Wash your hands immediately, with soap and water, for a minimum of 20 seconds. (You can also wear gloves to pick up delivered plants in the mail).

Delivery companies take extra steps to keep their drivers, and their customers, safe. However, it’s always a good idea to allow a distance of at least 6 feet (2 m.) between yourself and delivery people. Or simply have them place the package(s) near your door or other outside area.

There’s no better gift idea for garden loving friends and relatives than a gardening themed basket. That leaves one to wonder just what to put in a garden gift basket. Garden gift basket ideas are limited only by your budget and imagination. Ideas for garden gift baskets can be inexpensive and simple or more lavish. Read on to learn how to make a garden gift basket.

How to Make a Garden Gift Basket

If you are a gardener yourself coming up with garden gift basket ideas will be a breeze. For those with less than a green thumb; however, ideas for garden gift baskets might be more difficult. No worries, we’ve got plenty of garden gift basket ideas to suit every budget.

First things first, choose a container. A container can be almost anything, but it’s better when making gardening themed baskets to stick with the theme. That is, choose a container that is relevant to gardening. This might be a plant pot, watering can, or a bag or basket that can be used to gather produce and flowers. If you want to go big, you could even use a gardening cart that has a storage compartment for garden tools.

What to Put in a Garden Gift Basket?

Now comes the fun part, filling your chosen container with your garden ideas. Garden tools, of course, are always high on a gardener’s list. Even if your gardener friend has tools, it’s nice to get new gloves or pruning shears.

Plants make sense as basket fillers for this theme. You could select plants based on your friend’s gardening passion. For instance, do they love perennials, annuals, or veggies? Herbs look pretty tucked into a garden themed basket, as do succulents or cacti.

Garden themed baskets don’t always have to include a plant. How about some seed packets? They could be for vegetables or a wildflower garden. Maybe even spring or summer bulbs for the flower lover in your family.

Additional Ideas for Garden Gift Baskets

Gardeners love to read about their passion so tuck in a book or magazine about the hobby. A subscription to their favorite gardening magazine is a great idea, as is a journal or calendar that can be used track trends in their garden.

Other ideas for garden gift baskets include hand soap, garden scented candles, sunscreen, a sun hat, bandana or scarf, garden clogs or boots, and an aromatic hand lotion. If your garden friend likes to care for the birds and insects along with their plants, tuck in a bee house or a bird feeder.

As you can see, there are tons of garden gift ideas. These can be more personalized with items based on the gift receiver’s specific interests. If you have trouble deciding, a gift card to your friend’s favorite nursery would be much appreciated. You could also create a personal gift card for a friend in need of garden help and offer your assistance, just be sure to follow through with that assistance.

Flowers for men? Why not? Everybody loves receiving flowers and men are no exception. If you feel like sending him flowers to express friendship, love, appreciation, or respect, go for it! Gone are the days when it seemed unusual for a guy to receive a big, beautiful bouquet. Today, giving flowers to men is perfectly acceptable.

If you’re wondering about choosing flowers that guys like, the following suggestions for “manly” types of flowers may help.

Tips on Giving Flowers to Men

Men enjoy receiving flowers, but stereotypical ideas about certain colors are still prevalent in today’s culture. Your guy friend may not be crazy about pastel shades such as pink, lavender, minty green, or pale yellow. As a general rule, it’s better to send “manly” types of flowers in purple, maroon, deep blue, or other rich, bold colors.

Similarly, guys tend to like robust flowers with a solid, strong structure. For example, you may want to go easy on dainty, frilly flowers like stephanotis or baby’s breath. If a bouquet needs a filler, something natural like leaves or grass balances out the bold blooms.

Most men aren’t crazy about sweet-scented flowers, but a flower with a spicy scent may be just the ticket. For example, try purple or dark red carnations with a clove-like aroma. Instead of feminine crystal vases, look for a solid, natural container constructed of metal or wood. 

If humor is appropriate for the event, he may get a kick out of a container that reflects his particular interest; for instance, a beer stein or coffee cup, or something fun like a container shaped like a golf bag or fishing creel. Always consider the occasion. Bold colors are great for happy events like birthdays, Father’s Day, or other celebrations, but more muted colors are appropriate for a funeral or other sad occasion.

Masculine Flowers that Guys Like

• Anthurium: The tropical-like anthurium plant creates a real splash with vibrant red flowers and bright green foliage.
• Tulips: Most guys like big tulips in purple, red, gold, or other bold, solid colors.
• Sunflowers: Who can resist a bouquet of big, bold, cheery sunflowers?
• Mums: Chrysanthemums, thought to symbolize friendship, are available in a variety of shapes and vibrant colors.
• Roses: Old-fashioned roses in shades of maroon or deep red are bound to make an impression, but are most appropriate for a romantic relationship.
• Bird of paradise: If you’re looking for a unique, splashy flower, bird of paradise will definitely get his attention.

“Certified disease-free plants.” We’ve heard the expression many times, but exactly what are certified disease-free plants, and what does it mean for the home gardener or backyard orchardist?

If you’re wondering how to keep plants disease-free, starting out with disease-resistant plants is even more important than you may realize. Read on to learn more about buying disease-free plants.

What Does Certified Disease Free Mean?

Most countries have certification programs in place, and regulations vary. In general, to earn the label of certified disease-free, plants must be propagated following a strict set of procedures and inspections that minimize the risk of infection and spread of disease.

To be certified, plants must meet or exceed a certain level of quality and safety. Generally, inspections are completed at independent, certified labs.

Disease-resistant doesn’t mean that plants are protected from every possible disease that could befall them, or that the plants are guaranteed to be 100 percent free of disease pathogens. However, disease-resistant plants are generally resistant to one or two diseases that most commonly afflict a particular type of plant.

Disease-resistant also doesn’t mean you don’t need to practice proper crop rotation, sanitation, spacing, irrigation, fertilization, and other methods to promote the healthiest plants possible.

Importance of Buying Disease-Resistant Plants

Once a plant disease is established, it may be difficult or impossible to eliminate, even with powerful, toxic chemicals. Purchasing disease-resistant plants can stop the disease before it starts, which saves time and money and increases the size and quality of your harvest.

Buying disease-free plants will probably cost you a bit more, but the small investment may save you untold time, expense, and heartache in the long run.

Your local cooperative extension office can provide more information about disease-resistant plants and how to avoid plant diseases common to your particular area.

Bigger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to shopping for plants. And I should know. I’m sort of considered by many to be a bit of a plantaholic. While I do purchase a number of plants online, most of them come from local garden centers. Still, there’s nothing more satisfying than actually strolling through a plant nursery where you can take in all the beauty and touch the plants (maybe even talk with them some too).

Local vs. Big Box Garden Center

Okay, I won’t lie. Many of those big box stores with garden centers offer huge savings BUT they’re not always the best option. Keep in mind that you “get what you pay for.” Sure, if you’re an experienced gardener, you may easily be able to nurse that marked-down, yellowing plant back to health from the brink of death, but what if you’re new to gardening?

Maybe you come across those special end-of-season deals with hoards of flowering bulbs for sale. How many do you really need? Better yet, when should you plant them? What soil will they require? Do they sell soil? What about mulch? Got to have that too, right? Oooh, and look at that beautiful tropical plant over there. Can I grow that in my garden too?

I hate to break it to you newbie, but you might be out of luck when it comes to finding the answers you need BEFORE you make that purchase. Oftentimes, salespeople in the larger big box stores have limited knowledge about gardening. You may even be hard-pressed to find someone readily available to help you load up your cart with those heavy bags of mulch you need. Been there, done that and my back paid the price for it.

And when shopping online, there’s usually no one to help you there either. You may not have to do any back-breaking lifting, but you won’t have that one-on-one assistance for all those gardening questions floating through your mind.

Like many big box garden centers, they may seem to have lots of flowers, shrubs, and other plants available, but they’re usually purchased in bulk at wholesale prices. Little care is provided, hence that dying plant is now on clearance, and it’s no biggie if some of them don’t thrive – they’ll just get more. So how are small nurseries better?

Local Nursery Benefits

First, at a local garden center, not only are the people working there more than happy to assist you, but they’re far more knowledgeable about gardening in general and the plants you’re interested in. They also normally sell plants well suited to your area and are more familiar with pests and diseases.

Got questions? Ask away. Need help loading all those plants or bags of potting soil or mulch? Not a problem. There’s usually always someone around to help with anything you need. Your back will thank you (and them).

Local plant nurseries are hands-on. They often grow the plants themselves or obtain them through local growers, and provide essential care along the way. They want their plants to look their best so they will thrive in your garden space. In fact, having plants in stock that are hardy to your climate, even native, means they are more likely to remain healthy once you buy them.

When you shop locally, you’re also keeping more money in your own community. And buying fresher plants means less of a carbon footprint since the growers are nearby.

The benefits of shopping local pay off in the long run, even if you have to initially pay more for the plants. You’ll be able to get those one-on-one answers before you buy along with tips on what your plants need to thrive.

The end of the gardening season can be a tough time for those of us who love digging in the dirt. With winter right around the corner, there’s not much left to do in the garden. It’s a little sad, but the good thing about this time of year is Black Friday for gardeners. Enjoy the end-of-season sales and stock up for next year while saving money.

Offseason Gardening Bargains Include Plants

Once the fall stock hits the shelves – think hardy mums – gardening stores and nurseries will begin marking down the summer stock. This means you have a last chance this season to get a great deal on a pricier kind of plant for the garden, like a new tree or shrub. The longer you wait, the lower the prices will get, and there is usually room for negotiation.

Although it’s fall, there is still time to get perennials, trees, and shrubs in the ground. In fact, for many perennials, fall is a better time to plant. This gives them time to get established without the stress of summer sun and heat. You won’t have long to enjoy them now unless you plant strictly fall flowering plants, but they’ll be healthy and vibrant come spring.

Black Friday Deals on Garden Supplies

The end of summer signals more than just discounts on summer plants. This is also the time of year when your local nursery will mark down the supplies and gardening tools you don’t need now, but will next year.

Stock up on discounted bags of fertilizer, mulch, potting soil, and specialty plant foods. You can store them in the garage or garden shed and they’ll be good next spring as long as you don’t let moisture or critters get in the bags.

Use end-of-season garden sales to replace old tools or to try new ones. Get a new pair of gardening gloves for next year, or splurge on a discounted edging tool or pruning shears. With lower prices now, you can get higher-end items for less.

Don’t restrict your sales shopping to the local nursery or garden center. Hardware and DIY stores need to clear up space for Christmas items, so look for discounted soil, mulch, and tools as well as patio furniture, pots, and pavers. Large grocery stores with garden centers are the same. They’ll also be clearing out summer gardening shelves.

And don’t forget the gardeners on your Christmas list – this is a great time to find the perfect gift for them too!

Whether you garden as a hobby or you're growing produce to feed your hungry family, learning how to garden on a budget can keep more hard earned green in your pocket. Gardening on a dime doesn't mean going without needed supplies though. You might be surprised to find the array of cheap garden supplies at your local discount and dollar stores.

Are Cheap Garden Supplies Worth It?

The old saying: “You get what you pay for” is true when it comes to gardening supplies. The quality of discount and dollar store items is generally not as good as what one might expect from a greenhouse or online gardening supplier. On the other hand, if biodegradable pots from the dollar store last long enough to transplant seedlings into the garden, then they've served their purpose. So let's take a look at some useful, yet cheap, garden supplies one might find at their local discount house.

• Seeds – Gardeners aren't likely to find a wide selection of vegetable and flower varieties, but they will find basic radish, carrot, and marigold seeds as well as popular types of tomatoes, peppers, and melons. These seed packets are usually dated for the current year so you know the seeds are fresh.
• Potting soil – Use it for potting plants, as a garden additive, or for stretching out homemade compost. The quality of dollar store soil can vary, so try one bag before stocking up.
• Pots and planters – These are available in a wide assortment of sizes, colors, and material. They may not be as durable as more expensive types, but are value-rich for gardeners who like the bright, clean look of new pots.
• Gardening gloves – The fabric is thinner and stitching not as strong, so discount store gloves aren't likely to hold up for the full growing season. However, they're great for semi-disposable uses, such as pulling poison ivy or weeding on muddy days.
• Garden decorations – From fairy garden items to solar lights, dollar store decorations are the cornerstone of frugal gardening. Generally, these items are reasonably priced so there won't be loads of regret should they get stolen, broken, or blown away in a wind storm,

Frugal Gardening Tips

Another method for gardening on a dime is using non-traditional items. In the search for cheap gardening supplies, don't limit dollar store acquisitions to the gardening department. Try some of these alternative products to meet your frugal gardening goals:

• Kitchen supplies – Dish pans can be used to hold and mix potting soil. Cookie sheets, baking pans, or kitchen trays make wonderful drip trays. Inexpensive cups can be used for growing seedlings. Use a nail to poke several drainage holes in the bottom of each cup.
• Household products – Boot trays and tubs can hold seedlings. Use plastic shoe boxes and bins to store seed packets and other gardening supplies. Inexpensive laundry baskets can be substituted for wood bushel baskets with the added bonus of being much easier to clean. Clothes pins make easy-to-clip-on plant labels. Spray bottles can be used for misting plants or for applying homemade insecticidal soaps. (Just be sure to label the bottles.)
• Hardware department – Check this area to find string for tying tomato vines. Cable ties make great ties for assembling trellises.
• Toys and crafts – Children's sand buckets are ideal for picking herbs, green beans, and root vegetables. Reserve the plastic toy shovel for use with loose, bagged soil. Wooden craft sticks make inexpensive plant markers.

So next time you pass that discount or dollar store, be sure to stop. You just might discover your own frugal gardening tips.

Trees symbolize strength and hope, both being appropriate sentiments to honor a new marriage. So if you are about to walk down the aisle, why not think about giving trees as favors to your wedding guests? Wedding favor trees allow guests to plant a live tree seedling as a reminder of your wedding day. For more information about green wedding favors, and especially about trees as wedding favors, read on.

Giving Trees as Wedding Favors

It’s traditional for a newly married couple to offer a small keepsake to each wedding guest. It serves both as a gift thanking the person for participating in your big day, and also as a token reminder of the ceremony of union they witnessed. In these days when the environment is on everyone’s mind, choosing trees as a green wedding favor is popular. Giving trees as favors creates a sense of your growing relationship with each guest, as well as the shared roots you and your new spouse are developing.

Trees to Use as Wedding Favors

If you decide to give trees as wedding favors, you’ll need to decide what species of tree to offer. One element that factors into the equation is the home region of your guests. Ideally, you would like to offer a seedling that might actually thrive in the guest’s backyard. Popular wedding favor trees are almost always conifers. Here are different options for conifer trees to use as wedding favors:

• Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens), zones 2-7
• Norway Spruce (Picea abies), zones 3-7
• Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa), zones 3-7
• Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum), zones 4-7
• Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris), zones 7-10
• Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus), zones 3-8

When you are giving trees as favors, you’ll be able to order the young seedlings already wrapped elegantly in see-through bags or slender burlap sacks. Some companies even provide an organza ribbon bow. If you don’t want to write out little cards, you can order personalized thank you messages to go with the green wedding favors too. You can also arrange for each of the wedding favor trees to come in its own gift box.

Giving trees for wedding presents is a unique idea, but it also makes sense. Will the couple really think of their special day when they use that food processor? A tree, on the other hand, will grow in their yard for years to come, giving them a beautiful reminder of the day they got married.

Can I Give a Tree as a Wedding Present?

It’s not a typical present, but that doesn’t mean that trees as wedding gifts can’t be done. A quick search online will turn up a number of nurseries that ship trees around the country and that will even gift wrap them and include a special message.

If you’re worried that it might be rude to go off the registry for a gift, get something less expensive from the couple’s gift registry and also send them a smaller, less expensive tree. They’ll appreciate the addition of a special, thoughtful gift tree.

Ideas for Trees to Use as Wedding Gifts

Any tree that will grow in the climate and region where the bride and groom live will make a thoughtful and special wedding gift. There are some specific choices, though, that may be particularly special or symbolic of love, life, commitment, and marriage.

Fruit trees. Several fruit trees hold special symbolism in many cultures. Apple trees, for instance, are symbolic of love and prosperity, perfect for the start of a marriage. These trees are also great because they provide fruit year after year that the couple can actually enjoy.

Camellia. While not exactly a tree, the camellia is a large and dense shrub and symbolizes love in many cultures. It produces beautiful and showy flowers. In warmer climates, it will thrive and grow into a large bush that blooms for years.

Olive tree. For couples in the right climate, an olive tree is a wonderful gift. These trees last for years, provide shade, and actually yield a delicious harvest of olives each year.

A charity tree. There are several charities that will allow you to gift a donated tree planting to the happy couple. The tree may be planted somewhere to reforest a region or to help a disadvantaged family grow crops.

Wedding gift trees are special and thoughtful, and any couple would be thrilled to receive one. Just remember to match the tree to the climate and conditions in which the couple lives and to send it with instructions for care so they can enjoy it for many years.

Wedding gifts can be so typical, and expected. Why not surprise the bride and groom you really care about with a green wedding gift? Give them something that will last, that will beautify their new home, and that will always make them smile and think of you: a plant.

Why a Plant as a Wedding Present?

Of course, etiquette dictates that you get something from the registry for the bride and groom, but people love to get more thoughtful and personal gifts too. Wedding gift plants don’t have to be expensive but can be a wonderfully personalized gift that will brighten a new home or garden for years to come.

Plants to Give as Wedding Gifts

Any plant that is thoughtful and means something to you will be a welcome gift to the happy couple. A plant as a wedding present says that you think enough of the bride and groom to really consider what they would like and how they can mark their wedding day. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Wedding or love-themed rose. The best wedding present plants are thoughtful. What says love and marriage better than a ‘Wedding Bells’ or ‘Truly Loved’ rose? Roses can be planted outside to provide blooms for years that will remind the couple of their special day and with so many cultivars, you can easily find one that is worthy of a wedding gift.

A plant couple. Another romantic idea to help the bride and groom mark their wedding day is a plant pairing, two plants growing together.

A plant that lasts. Gift a long-living plant that symbolizes how the happy couple’s love will last and grow. For houseplants jade, philodendron, peace lily, and bonsai trees make great choices and should last for many years.

A tree for the yard. Another long-lasting choice for a green wedding gift is a tree that can be planted in the yard. A pear, apple, or cherry tree will provide fruit every year and grow with the marriage and family.

In case neither the bride nor the groom has a green thumb, include care instructions with your gift plant. Give them the best chance of helping the plant to grow and thrive, so they can keep enjoying it from one anniversary to the next.

After hours of eye strain, you finally order a bunch of plants for your garden. For weeks, you wait in excited anticipation, but when your plants finally arrive, they are much less than you expected. Based on the pictures you had seen online, you thought you were ordering large, lush plants and getting them for a steal with the low price tag and shipping cost. However, when you open the small box shipped to you, you find it full of dead-looking bare roots or pathetic little sprigs of plants. Continue reading for advice on buying plants online and tips on finding reputable online nurseries.

Buying Plants Online

When looking for the best place to order plants online, first, start by reading all the information on the nursery’s website. Many online nurseries will show pictures of lush, established plants but then state in the fine print that they ship only bare root or young cuttings of these plants. Read about their shipping methods – are plants individually packaged and protected? Are cuttings shipped in soil? These are important things to know before buying plants online. Next, fully read all plant descriptions. Reputable online nurseries will have detailed plant descriptions, as well as planting instructions. Plant descriptions should include the plant’s hardiness zone and mature size details of the plant, as well as tips on how to properly care for the plant, along with its botanical name. What are the plant’s soil and moisture needs? What are the plant's light requirements? Are there details about deer resistance or if it attracts birds? If an online nursery does not have detailed plant descriptions, it’s best to keep searching for one that does.

How to Know if an Online Nursery is Reputable

Friends or family may be able to help you find the best place to order plants online. Word of mouth goes along way. If someone suggests an online nursery to you, ask questions about the shipping and quality of the plant's they received. Ask if the plant's survived the winter. Reputable online nurseries will also have customer reviews and comments. Be sure to read these before ordering plants. You can also search gardening forums and ask about people's experiences with certain online nurseries. It’s also important to keep in mind that supporting local small businesses is good for your community. While not all local garden centers have that unique or exotic plant you are looking for, purchase what you can from local businesses. Usually, these local garden centers will have plants guaranteed to grow in your location and staff that can answer all your questions.

New and experienced gardeners rely upon a well-run and informative nursery for all their plant and landscaping needs. Picking a plant nursery that is reputable and has healthy zone appropriate plants can be the key to a successful gardening project. Online plant nurseries can certainly be part of the process, although cementing a relationship with bonafide electronic sources can be difficult since the product isn't right before you. For both online and home-based businesses, it is crucial to know how to choose a reputable nursery for the best selection, knowledge and pricing.

How to Choose a Reputable Nursery

Those first trips as a novice gardener can be overwhelming. The the guidance and suggestions of a professional nursery team can make all the difference in the world between a healthy garden and one that may fail. Choosing the best plant nurseries depends upon more than simply healthy looking plants. Staff should have excellent customer service skills, garden knowledge, reliable information about gardening in your zone, and the availability to help you choose the right plants and products for the way you garden. One of the first steps in picking a plant nursery is to check out their products. This means investigating the health of the plants, but also other items you might need in the garden. Are they good quality, durable, readily available consistently? Is staff knowledgeable and willing to help even if it means directing you to a competitor who has a better line of products in a specific range? The hallmark of any good business is good customer service and the ability to fully satisfy customer needs. Think of your personal nursery as a font of information and a tool to use in your gardening adventures. In combination with your local Extension office, your nursery can help you transform dreams into realities and be part of the maintenance and future planning processes.

Gathering Plant Nursery Information

As you assess your nursery options, it is important to gather any pertinent plant nursery information. This includes looking into their Better Business Bureau rating, talking to other plant enthusiasts about their opinion of the business and watching sale sheets when they come out to get the best buys on the products you need. A personal visit to the location will further determine which are the best plant nurseries for you. This is when you get to experience the service level but also touch and feel all the specimens to determine fitness, adaptability and selection. Don't be afraid to touch and investigate plant specimens to ensure that there are no disease, pest issues, stress, or weeds. Remember, what you bring home can infect your garden. A reputable nursery will only carry healthy plants with a good chance at thriving in your garden and no chance of starting an infestation or rampant disease.

Online Plant Nurseries

Who can resist those plant catalogues that come in winter? They bear the promises of spring and summer, warm weather, sun and flowering beauty in the landscape. However, be wary of wild sales and promises from electronic retailers. There are good deals to be had but not every online source is dependable. Again, ask around to plant friends to find their opinions on the business but also do some homework. It's good to find independent reviews if possible. Some of the most trustworthy online nurseries will offer plants suitable for your zone with excellent shipping practices, including the timing of delivery. They will know what plants cannot be delivered to your region, and should have an online chat available to help inform you of the best options for your landscape. There are many consumer websites which can help rate the best nurseries for you. Angie's List, Garden Watchdog are excellent resources to help you determine which nursery can meet your needs.

Plants are expensive and the last thing you want is for your beautiful new plant to keel over and die shortly after you bring it home. Even lush, full plants can develop problems fairly quickly, but knowing how to tell if a plant is healthy may prevent trouble down the road.

Healthy Plant Selection

Learning the signs of a healthy plant is the first step in ensuring its overall success. Choosing healthy plants involves looking closely at all parts of the plant, beginning with the most obvious part-- the leaves. Foliage growth - A healthy plant should have plenty of healthy new growth. With the exception of plants with bi-colored or variegated leaves, most plants should display green leaves with bright, even color. Don't buy a plant if the leaves are pale. Avoid plants with yellowing or brown leaves, or if the leaves look brown and dry along the edges. Signs of a healthy plant include a full, bushy growth habit. Avoid long, leggy plants and, instead, choose compact, sturdy plants. Watch out for plants that look like they have been pruned; this may indicate that diseased or damaged stems have been removed to make the plant look healthier. Pests and disease - Look closely for signs of pests and disease. Check the undersides of the leaves and the joints where the stem attaches to the leaves, as this is where common pests are often found such as:

• Aphids
• Spider mites
• Scale
• Mealybugs

Roots - Healthy roots are signs of a healthy plant. Roots are difficult to see when a plant is in a pot, but you can definitely tell if the plant is rootbound. For example, pick up the plant and look at the drainage hole. If you notice roots growing through the hole, the plant has been in that pot too long. Another big sign that a plant is rootbound is roots growing on top of the potting mix. A rootbound plant isn't always a bad thing if the plant is otherwise healthy because it demonstrates that the plant is actively growing. However, keep in mind that if you buy a rootbound plant, you will have to repot it soon.

Plant sharing is a big hobby on gardeners' forums and for collectors of specific species. Shipping plants by mail requires careful packaging and preparation of the plant. Mailing garden plants across the country is fairly easy to do, but the best way is to choose the fastest method for your plant to travel. Also, check to see if it is legal to ship to the jurisdiction you have in mind; some areas have laws and limitations. Knowing how to ship plants and the best way to box them up for a trading experience will enrich you and the receiver at the end of the line.

Guidelines for Shipping Live Plants

Sending plants through mail successfully depends upon careful packing as well as acclimating the plant and sending it with enough water to survive several days. Plants that get sent to hot regions or are shipped in winter will benefit from some insulation. You can use the U.S. Postal Service or any of the shipping companies that fit your needs. Either way, you can learn how to package them for the best arrival and least breakage. There are four basic guidelines for shipping live plants. Preparing the plant, packing the plant, labeling, choosing a shipping company and speed are the primary important aspects to shipping plants by mail.

Preparing The Plant For Shipping

Preparation starts with removing the plant from the soil and shaking off the excess. But do not wash the roots, as some residual soil will help provide familiar microbes from the plant's native soil and will make the transition easier for the plant. Wrap the roots with several moist paper towels and put the bundle in a plastic bag. If the trip will be long, add a couple of teaspoons of polymer moisture crystals to water to make a slurry and apply this to the roots before placing it in the plastic bag. Stabilize any errant growth to prevent breakage with plant ties, rubber bands, or twist ties. You can also just roll the plant in some newspaper to protect the tops and stems.

Packing The Plant

Choose a box sturdy enough to handle rough treatment when mailing garden plants. Boxes literally get kicked, thrown, and dropped. You need your plant to arrive in one piece, so pick a box that can take a licking. Also, choose one just barely big enough for the plant to fit inside so it doesn't have room to move around during handling. Extra cushioning is a good idea if there is any extra room inside the box. Use newspaper, shredded bills, or foam to fill any pockets. If you are worried about the handling of the box, reinforce the edges with strapping tape. Lastly, don't forget to place a tag or label inside with the name of the plant. If you are sending plants through the mail that are potted, use bubble wrap to protect the pot and the roots. A collar of cardboard over the soil and around the base of the plant, followed by a plastic bag closed around the base of the plant will help keep the soil in the container. Stand the plant upright if possible, making sure to mark "This End Up" on the box, and pack around it. Remember though, that shipping the container and soil will greatly increase the cost of shipping the plant.

Labeling

Put a label on the outside that says “Live Plant” and "Perishable" so they know to treat it with a modicum of gentleness. While it is no guarantee that this will prevent abuse to the box, it may win over a few package handlers to take extra care. Shipping guidelines today also require that you include a return address as well as the shipping address on the outside. If you are reusing a box that previously was used for shipping, make sure to remove or blackout all old labels so that the package is not accidentally shipped to the wrong location.

When and How to Ship Plants And Choosing a Shipping Company

The post office does a good job shipping plants. You can also go with a private shipping company. The key is to find out who can do it fastest and safest. For the postal service, choose priority mail at the very least. If you ship frequently, have a service pick up the plants so you can keep them cool until they are ready to go. This will help them travel better. Remember also that many shipping services do not deliver on Sundays and possibly not on Saturdays, depending on the service you use. To make sure that the shipped plant spends as little time as possible in the box, plan on shipping early in the week, such as on a Monday or Tuesday. This will ensure that the shipped plant doesn't languish unnecessarily in the box over a weekend. Also, check the weather in both your location and the location of the person you are shipping to. Wait to ship plants if either you or the recipient are expecting extreme weather. It would be a shame to lose a plant simply because it got stuck in a broiling shipping truck during 100 F+ (38 C+) temperatures or because it froze to death on someone's front porch while waiting for them to get home from work. Swapping plants is a fun and economical way to get unique specimens or rare cuttings. Pack it right and your plants will arrive ready to brighten someone's day.

Winter doldrums are soon swept away by the appearance of seed and plant catalogs in the mailbox. Usually around the New Year, gardeners greet the postal person with uncharacteristic glee. Seed and plant catalogs are the harbinger of finer weather and fun times in the outdoors. Using mail-order catalogs, and now online companies, requires a little know-how and sometimes some translation. Here are some guidelines on how to decipher plant catalogs and get the right plants for your garden at the best value.

Tips for Ordering Plants

First, you have to decide what is important to you as a gardener. Ask questions.

• Do you only want organic selections?
• Do you want seeds that are part of the national seedbank?
• Do you want a company that gives back to community and global concerns?
• Is price your main concern?

Many questions go into the decision regarding what company to use as your seed and plant catalog connection. References from publications you trust, veteran gardeners, and even the local master gardener's organization can clear up which companies are reputable and which are “seedy.”

Understanding a Seed Catalog

Now that you know which nurseries and seed suppliers you want to work with, you must decide on the types and varieties of plants you require. A primary concern is the United States Department of Agriculture zone in which you garden. This knowledge ensures that you choose plants that will thrive in your climate and that are hardy. Hardy refers to the maximum cold temperature the plant can withstand. Next, you should see which varieties of plants do best in your zone. Just because a tomato is hardy in your zone if planted at the right time of year doesn't mean it will produce well. There are cultivars that are designed for wetter areas, drought prone zones, or difficult soils. Know your basic horticultural terms such as annuals, which only survive one season; perennials, which return each year, and cultivation terms like disease resistant. Your garden's soil, local moisture, amount of sun and a variety of characteristics should influence your seed and plant choices. Using mail-order catalogs lacks the personal touch and advice of a local nursery, so do your research before completing your order.

How to Decipher Plant Catalogs

Understanding a seed catalog may seem like reading an ancient Greek tablet to the novice gardener. Use your local extension service for help with unfamiliar terms and ask veteran gardeners for help. Some basic tips for ordering plants include:

• Check invasiveness - the plant's status on local pest plant lists.
• Check laws regarding shipping across your state's borders.
• Look for the mature size of the plant - including potential root damage and depth, messiness and maintenance.
• Take note of zones and climatic requirements.
• Research new cultivars that are unfamiliar to you.

Many catalogs claim to have a new cultivar that produces a unique color or form, but often they do not produce these traits in every zone. Read the shipping information carefully. If the plant comes bareroot, make sure you order it in winter for early installation. Check the size of the pot the plant is in. There is nothing more annoying than spending a fortune on some wish-list plants plus shipping, only to find they are plugs or starts with barely any roots or chance of survival. Gardening is supposed to be fun, but protect yourself from expensive mistakes by checking the facts and doing a little research, then enjoy the ordering process and your new plants or seeds when they arrive by mail.

Inevitably you've come across nursery pot sizes as you have browsed through mail-order catalogs. You may have even wondered what it all means - what is #1 pot size, #2, #3, and so on? Keep reading for information on the common pot sizes used in nurseries so you can take some of the guesswork and confusion out of your selections.

About Nursery Plants Pots

Nursery containers come in a number of sizes. Oftentimes, the particular plant and its current size determine the pot sizes used in nurseries. For instance, most shrubs and trees are sold in 1-gallon (4 L) pots - otherwise known as a #1 pot size. The # symbol is used to reference each class number size. Smaller containers (i.e. 4-inch or 10 cm. pots) may also include SP in front of its class number, indicating a smaller plant size. In general, the larger the # is, the larger the pot and, thus, the larger the plant will be. These container sizes range from #1, #2, #3 and #5 to #7, #10, #15 on up to #20 or higher.

What is #1 Pot Size?

The gallon (4 L.) nursery containers, or #1 pots, are the most common nursery pot sizes used in the industry. While they normally only hold 3 quarts (3 L) of soil (using liquid measure), they are still considered to be 1-gallon (4 L.) pots. A variety of flowers, shrubs, and trees can be found in this pot size. As the plants grow or mature, nursery growers may step up the plant to another larger size pot. For instance, a #1 shrub may be stepped up to a #3 pot. Variations in plant pot sizes can be quite different among individual nursery growers. While one nursery may ship a large, lush plant in a #1 pot, another might only send a bare, twiggy-looking plant in the same size. For this reason, you should research beforehand to make sure of what you are getting.

Grade of Nursery Plant Pots

In addition to the various pot sizes, some nursery growers include grading information. As with the variations among sizes, these too may vary among different growers. These are usually dependent on how a particular plant has been grown (its conditions). That said, the most common grades associated with plant pots are:

• P - Premium grade - plants are normally healthy, big, and more expensive
• G - Regular grade - plants are of moderate quality, fairly healthy, and of average cost
• L - Landscape grade - plants are of less quality, smaller, and the least expensive choices

Examples of these might be #1P, meaning a #1 pot size of premium quality. A lesser grade would be #1L.