Gift ideas for tomato grower?

[sherri]

Hi everyone!
One of my husband's employees always brings me goodies from his garden-last week was a bag of Early Girls and Golden Girls. Also, cucumbers, bell peppers, and jalapenos.
I thought I would get him some special seeds, book, supplies, etc., as a thank you gift.
Does anyone have any great ideas they could send my way?
Any help here will be greatly appreciated!!!

[oh2fly]

A gift certificate from a special place? I always enjoy getting one . Feels like a birthday, spending them on stuff I wouldn't normally buy

[Granny]

It is harder to know what to get the avid gardener than it is the man who has everything. I second oh2fly's idea of a gift certificate to somewhere special (now you just have to figure out where "special" is for him!). Unless you want to spend $80 or so, in which case I would get him a lifetime guaranteed, crafted to last forever, every gardener would die to own one spade. The kind we all want and would never buy.

[sherri]

Thank you both for the ideas!
I am definitely considering a gc-will have to do some research in the Houston area for the best place.
I also love the idea of tools!! But, an $80 spade?!?! Granny, would love to know which one you are referring to.
What about hand tools? Any suggestions? Any opinions on copper tools?
Thanks again for all your help!!!

[lumierefrere]

Sometimes on ebay they'll have old seed packs or labels. I got some from France a couple years ago or what looks to be a Marmande that are spectacular and were about $8 for 25 of them in perfect condition/unused. Mount one in an attractive frame and it's a lovely item.

[akgardengirl]

I am quite fond of those ultra-lightweight gardening gloves. Keeps your hands from turning that greenish/brown color when working with tomatoes and other gardening projects yet you have good tactile sensitivity with them. Love them and I wish I could think of the brand name. I have had mine for 3 years and just throw them in the washer when they get real dirty. I have a reg. pair and a pair for pruning stickery things.
Sue

[Granny]

Johnny's up in Maine has an extremely nice line of good quality gardening tools. Yes, spades do come in $80 models - and more, for that matter - but Johnny's has all kinds of stuff any gardener would love to make house room for.

/Akgardengirl, do real men wear gardening gloves? (Though I will look into a pair for me!)

[sherri]

Thank you again-everyone-for your ideas!
I'll google the gloves to find out more! Also, great idea to check ebay for items-never thought of that!!!
Granny, thanks for the info---a bit pricey for me on the spade but I still like the idea of tools and I now know to shop for quality!
Spent most of my morning reading about heirlooms on this site and others and it seems that selecting heirlooms is very personal. Are there any that are more special than others---that you would go "WOW" over?
Again, thank you for all your help---I am learning so much!!!

[Granny]

sherri, the which tomato is going to make you go WOW question is one of those that is so individual it would be almost impossible to recommend a specific tomato that some unknown somebody is going to absolutely adore too.

If that is the way you want to go, then I would recommend a gift certificate to Tomato Growers or Seeds of Change or the Seed Savers Exchange.

[sherri]

Granny, After all my reading this weekend, I tend to agree with you! Thank you again for your suggestions and all your help. Have a great week!!!

[JerryL]

I didn’t see any mention that he was an heirloom tomato grower but if he is, or even if he isn’t, don’t forget Carolyn’s book.

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=165

[akgardengirl]

That is funny you said that about Alaskan men Granny. My carpenter had a pair of them on while working with plywood this past weekend. Maybe the gardening glove technology was stolen from those guys to begin with!
Sue

[sherri]

It was my idea to look into heirlooms (but I thought Golden Girl was one).
There was a great article in our paper at the end of May on heirlooms and then the next week, I received my bags of veggies! He was most proud of his tomatoes, which he should be, and my thought process on a gift "stemmed" from there.
I also researched tomato books at Amazon and the best reviews were on Carolyn's book, so I ordered one-should be here this evening-can't wait! Sounds like I got lucky on my selection!
Then I started googling for seeds and found myself here!
Since I really didn't know what to give as a thank you, I thought something a little special and different would be appreciated.
Anyway, thank you for your time and help-it is greatly appreciated!!!

[sherri]

Oops-was typing and didn't see your reply, Sue. Maybe I should look into the gloves after all!!!

[maryinoregon]

Carolyn's book would be a dandy present in my opinion. It still amazes me how many people don't have a clue about heirlooms though.

Gift certificate would be fabulous.

If I could spend a gardening wad on myself, or someone else, maybe some Felco pruners.