Think "outside  

the box stores" 

With all of the focus lately being on shopping at small businesses and buying locally, I thought you might like a little inspiration for unusual gifts that you could purchase at Natureworks this December.  

Flame weeders are the first gift that comes to mind. Besides being the perfect organic weed killer, they can also be used to melt ice patches in the winter time. Flame weeders? Whaat??? These are hand held torches that use a small canister of propane gas. Ignite the switch and voila! You BURN your weeds. I have been using one for years. Think gravel pathways, ground ivy crawling into gardens, you get the idea. As Diane says: "Every woman that walks in here wants one." Perhaps this is not the most romantic gift, but it will melt ice, if not their hearts, when they see how much you care! We have less than a half dozen in stock. Call to reserve one if you can't get in right away.  

We carry some very nice bird houses that would make a perfect gift.  This year I did a talk on how to attract bluebirds to your garden. Having a proper bluebird house is really important and the boxes must be set up early. The one we carry is Audubon Society approved, handcrafted, made in the U.S.A., easy to clean (that is important) and only $34.99. Diane and her husband reported seeing bluebirds in their yard this week! Imagine the impact a gift like this could make if the recipient was to attract bluebirds to nest in their yard next spring?  

We also carry architectural birdhouses and birdfeeders that look like gazebos and replicas of New England style homes and cottages. They are made of kiln dried hardwood with red cedar or pine shingles for the roof. No pressure treated wood or harmful chemicals are ever used. They hold up exceptionally well in all kinds of weather.  

Our garden sickle is also a very popular gift as are many of our other high quality hand tools such as the Hori Hori knife, Cobra weeder, and Felco pruning shears.    

Every gardener needs a potting bench. We have 4 or 5 of them scattered around our nursery that are constantly in use. Customers have asked about them so often that we now carry cedar potting benches. These are very high quality and made in America. We also still have some cedar raised beds in stock in our red barn. These are the ones that we plant up each year as edible display gardens and they go together without any tools. Talk about a useful and exciting gift to give your favorite gardener...  

Seeds are the promise of spring. We recently restocked our rack with 2014 seeds of all sorts. Gather a collection of heirloom tomatoes, salad greens, herbs, and cutting flowers together to create a thoughtful gift that will be enjoyed for the entire growing season ahead.  

If you know someone who doesn't put up a live Christmas tree but misses the intoxicating scent of fresh fir, have we got the answer. This year a friend in the industry introduced me to a fabulous line of soy candles, handmade at a nearby tree farm with freshly harvested fir needles. My staff went crazy for them and we have already reordered. Every one who lifts off the top and smells them buys one. Soy candles burn so nicely and of course, are sustainably made.  

Collections of ornaments for newly launched young adults, a classic garden reference book for the new homeowner, pretty pots of bulbs ready to be forced into bloom during the darkest months of the year, a beautiful ceramic birdbath or decorative pot for the deck... We are overflowing with great gifts AND inspiration to make your shopping more relaxing and your gift giving more meaningful. Stop in and let the Merry Elves of Natureworks  help you!