From bulbs to birdbaths, a comprehensive collection of perfect presents for gardeners.

You’re busy. I get it. What if I told you that your local independent nursery is the secret to one-stop shopping for all the gardeners and nature lovers on your gift list? Choice plants and reliable advice on how to grow them is only the beginning, this time of the year these beloved retailers are stocked with garden gear and gifts.

1.  Amaryllis, paperwhites, and hyacinths fill gloomy winter days with color and fragrance. Purchase already-blooming bulbs then sweeten the deal with a topdressing of anticipation by putting together a DIY bulb forcing kit with everything needed to keep the show going well into the New Year. 

2.  Rosemary, sage, and thyme are the savory heart of holiday feasts. These hardy herbs also thrive year-round in Pacific Northwest gardens. Make it seasonal by selecting a potted rosemary festively clipped into a cone or trained into a wreath.

3.     Birds are fascinating to watch and help control garden pests. Bird feeders, like a suet block or a hummingbird feeder, provide sustenance and arial entertainment all winter. Thistle feeders attract finches and chickadees when spring arrives. And a shallow birdbath and nesting houses extend garden hospitality throughout the year. Make sure to include a field guide to Pacific Northwest birds to help identify garden visitors—the one with a bushy tail is a squirrel.

Read the entire story in the link below

GROW in The Seattle Times