Flowers and candy are traditional gifts given as Valentine’s Day presents.  Many gardeners appreciate both, but they might appreciate a more thoughtful gift even more.

You can make a bouquet from the garden. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate.  Just gather a variety of plant materials from the garden to create a bouquet.  Use evergreens, interesting deciduous twigs, and ornamental grasses.  Most likely you want to have anything blooming, so you could purchase 1-2 roses or other flowers from a florist to add to the bouquet.  This bouquet may be more meaningful to the person you give it to and you will probably save some money.

Give the gardener in your life something garden related such as summer flowering bulbs that will bring them enjoyment later in the year.  Or perhaps a single flower accompanied by a gift certificate to their favorite garden center or mail order catalog.  Your gardener might appreciate a pair of high quality pruners or a delivery of some quality compost. If you have a gardener who likes to read or see movies, then consider horticulture themed books and movies.  And of course, gardeners can always use a good pair of gloves.

Union County Extension will be hosting a Pruning Workshop on February 11, 10 am – Noon. The workshop is free, but registration is required. 

And don’t forget that the Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of Union County Fruit & Tree Sale is coming up on February 25, 9 am – Noon. This is always a popular sale and sells out fast, so plan to arrive early for the best selection.