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| You could always just buy your true love some bubble wrap to keep the plants warm and toasty, Chelsea Physic Garden, 2015. |
I'm not much for St. Valentine's Day as it is gushed and shoved down our throats by my kindred marketers. I hate watching desperate people flocking to the candy store or into lingerie stores looking for a little something at the last minute. St. Valentine's day is a foreign concept in Iran, but one my mom worked hard to integrate into our childhood. I loved getting little presents from her - little notes or new pjs.
I was not a terribly popular kid growing up and didn't get tons of cards or had sweethearts in my youth who cared about such things, as a result my feelings about the holiday soured until I met TH. She was skeptical about the holiday as well. Over time we both warmed up to the holiday. For the past twenty plus years, we've enjoyed some nice dinners, bought flowers or plants near the day and exchanged some lovely mementos that we both still use.
I think on our first Valentine's day she gave me a flat bladed shovel. Romantic? To me, yes. Practical? Hell yes. I still have that shovel and use it often.
As I walk around the gardens of the Shires, I wonder what I would get a gardener to celebrate the holiday - something that would last and be special. I have spent a little time today listing a few of these. It may be too late to order some of these things for delivery next week, but the gardening season is coming up and lasts a while, so I'm sure they will still be appreciated.
Here's my favorite wash basket that we use for carrying seedlings, shears, and seeds to the garden and fill up with produce on the way back. It is sturdy, gorgeous and goes well with your wellies.
I can't live without my Felcos. I have to change out the blade occasionally, but these size 6 right handed pruners are by my side or in my skort all summer long.
I cannot get enough of seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, especially these chicories or these Renee's garden sweet peas.
I do wear gloves when I garden and these are the best I've found. They go right into the wash and hang dry. Do yourself a favor and buy two pairs.
If you love a good garden book with some awesome recipes, I highly recommend finding a used copy of this great book by Christopher Lloyd.
If you want to read about an amazing story of gardening and family, pre-order my friend Tara's book The Orchard House and go to her Seattle reading.
That garden spade - it is still worth a million boxes of truffles.
Go out, get dirty and then get romantic.
