Gardening ranks first among leisure activities. With this in mind, your local Growise Center is the perfect place to find gifts for gardeners of all ages and all levels of gardening skill. Why not get an early start on your holiday gift list?

Make It Personal

Gifts with a personal touch are always appreciated. Create and give one of these to show your thoughtfulness.

GIFT BASKET: Fill a pretty basket with paperwhite and amaryllis bulbs, planting post, soil mix, planting and care instructions, and a pair of gardening gloves.

INDOOR HERB GARDEN: For best results, be sure the recipient has a spot with at least six hours of sun daily. Assemble culinary herb seed packets in an attractive windowbox or several clay pots, and add soil mix, plant mister, watering can, pair of gardening gloves, instructions, and a book on herb gardening -- with recipes.

BIRDWATCHER'S KIT: Put together a kit with a quality feeder, appropriate bird food, some suet cakes,the hardware for hanging the feeder, and as an added touch, a book on birdfeeding and a pair of binoculars.

GREAT GIFT PACKAGE: Start with a wheelbarrow and add the latest pruners, tools with padded grips, knee cushions, hand cream and soap for gardeners, a great-looking and functional watering can, plant markers and marking pen. For specialty gardens, there are pretty signs for identifying a Butterfly, Rose, Wildflower, or Herb Garden.

Garden Gifts Galore

Choose from these gardening gift suggestions that would rate two green "thumbs up" from gardeners on your list.

CLOCK WITH THERMOMETER for indoors or outdoors; ACCENT LIGHTS along borders, garden paths, and planting beds; UNDERWATER LIGHTS for the water garden; TRELLIS to use with climbing roses, jasmine, or honeysuckle; ARBOR dresses up the garden with gateway or pergola style; GAZING BALL of shiny silver or gold for Victorian garden accent; GARDEN FURNITURE wooden, wrought iron benches and more; RADAR FROG "ribbets" by activated infra-red sensor; WOODEN BRIDGE complements garden

 setting; INDOOR WATER GARDEN is soothing for the home interior; WATER STATUARY in many styles and sizes; OUTDOOR WATER GARDEN you install or hire a professional; GREENHOUSE a special gift for the serious gardener; GARDENWEAR comfortable, attractive clothing and footwear; HEATED BIRDBATH appreciated by birds and gift recipient; GIFT CERTIFICATE a shopping spree at the Growise Center is sure to please.

Gifts for Herb Gardeners

Accents for an herb garden include a sundial (brass or verdigris, with garden quotation), decorative herb markers, statuary (St. Fiacre is the patron saint of gardens), a birdbath, a bee skep of straw, butterfly house or birdhouses, and stepping stones for paths.

Big Ideas for Little Spaces

You can find great gifts for gardeners with limited space. Consider indoor plants: orchids, bonsai, or cacti. Stylish pots and unique containers are ideal for container gardening, and useful for apartment dwellers and those with small yards. Interesting pot hangers and plant stands, attractive and sturdy windowboxes, and products for healthy plant maintenance are gift possibilities. A mini-greenhouse, a soil test kit, or automatic watering devices make useful gifts.

Gifts for Children

Introducing children to the world of gardening is a wonderful idea. You can plant the seed for gardening interest with a gardening book geared to the child's age level; a dish garden or a terrarium with a book on the subject; a watering can, seed packets, and a blank book to plan a garden with the child; the right-sized tools for "helping out"; or a book about birdfeeding, a feeder with seed, and binoculars.

Another ideas is to buy a Christmas tree for outdoor planting after the holidays and have children share in the planting. Digging the hole before the ground freezes will make the task easier. Or plant it early and decorate for the holidays with edible decorations for the birds.