The 20 best gifts for gardeners, according to people who really love gardening

Whether you want to cool off at the beach, on a hike, or at work — or if you’re just trying to survive a heat wave — this portable neck fan is a solid buy. It's hands-free, so you can go on with your day while feeling a cool breeze on your neck and around your face. And its protective design won't suck in your hair or clothing, so anyone can use it. Additionally, the fan is super quiet, and it only weighs about half a pound.

"It saved me from overheating during those long days at Disney; being able to clock the number of miles I did in a 100°F heatwave makes it worth 10 times its weight in gold," said Yahoo editor and Disney Park goer Carrie McCabe.

A trusty pair of pruners is an essential in any gardener’s tool belt. Blogger and gardener Penny Weeks reaches for these hand pruners from Corona: "I love them so much that I keep several pairs; some in the house for making floral bouquets and others in the garden for harvesting both vegetables and flowers." They come in three different sizes — the smallest ones are best for cutting flowers, while the larger ones are better suited for branches and bigger jobs.

Imagine a world where you could weed your entire yard without bending over. Well, this genius stand-up tool makes it possible. "I’m a small female — about 5’2 and 120-130 lbs — and this tool makes it so I can take out even the most stubborn weeds without hurting my back," one happy gardener glowed, adding that it’s "truly a workhorse of a tool."

This isn't your average gardening trug. Once they collect their garden's bounty, they can take it straight to the sink and wash their harvest in the same basket since it has drain holes. One gardener gushed about its size and versatility: "It’s shallow, so produce doesn’t get crushed, Delicate pickings like tomatoes and tomatillos go in their own compartment. My clippers don’t get buried because they have their own compartment."

This gardening stool-turned-tool bag (or vice versa) has hundreds of five-star fans, and it’s easy to see why. It’s basically a portable workstation (with 21 pockets, I might add!) that folds out into a chair, so they don’t have to break their back to get the job done.

Erin Schanen, the gardener and blogger behind The Impatient Gardener, claims "this is one of those tools that you didn’t know you needed until you have it." It’s just the right size — "smaller than a spade, but bigger than trowel" — for dividing perennials, digging out bulbs and making holes.

One green-thumbed shopper said it best: "This belt is perfect for those of us out in the garden every day." There's a large zippered pocket to store a phone or AirPods case, plus five compartments for pruners, scissors, gloves and other must-haves they need within arm's reach.

These water- and rust-resistant shears are just as pretty as they are practical. Lindy Bridgman of Small Town Garden Life turns to this pair from Barebones since "they do a great job cleaning up the garden." They’re more slender than most, so much so that one reviewer commented that they were “perfect for getting into flowers or herbs where you need to snip precisely.”

Gardening tools quickly add up, so it’s important to take good care of them. Schanen swears by this kit to sharpen her pruners, shears and loppers. It’s made with hard-working gardening tools in mind, so there’s a "semi-magical" scouring stone to remove rust and sap along with Camelia oil, which is "an excellent lubricant."

Sunscreen is a non-negotiable for gardeners, but wide-brim hats will offer even more protection from the skin’s harmful rays. Gracie Poulson, the founder of Grace Rose Farm, also opts for hats when the weather isn’t cooperating because they "stay firmly on your head through wind and rain to allow you to garden with ease." This one, in particular, is made with a breathable, lightweight material that just so happens to be UPF 50+. Pick from 13 colors, including this hot pink number that’s as cheery as the garden itself.

Speaking of sunscreen, our beauty editor tested all the top brands, from drugstore staples to splurgy buys — and this one came out on top. It’s gentle enough to be used on the face and body, plus it won’t leave your gardener feeling (or looking) greasy.

These slip-ons have a durable sole and a waterproof upper, so they can trek through the garden without a worry. Hundreds of reviewers say they’re a godsend in wet, muddy gardens — including one who raved that they were "easy to clean" and "much more comfortable than Crocs."

Thorns, branches and briers get in the way of the task at hand. Instead of succumbing to a scratch here and there, they can wear these moisture-wicking UPF 50 sleeves to protect their arms from the inevitable. "I was suffering so horribly whenever I worked on my squash plants in my garden. The sleeves are easy to pull on and the band on the upper arm to secure the sleeve in place is fitted perfectly," one five-star reviewer gushed.

Perhaps, the most hardworking gardening tool of all? Their hands. Made with organic sunflower seed oil, beeswax, shea butter and cocoa butter, this all-natural balm softens and soothes overworked hands. "I garden nearly every day, so my hands (knuckles, in particular) can dry out and crack. I've tried other lotions for gardener’s hands, but this is the only product that has worked," one five-star fan wrote.

Bring a little personality to their plot with these handmade plant markers. Each one is shaped and painted to look like a different fruit, veggie or flower, so they'll be able to tell what's what without even reading the label. Not sure what they're growing this year? Ask around since you'll have to tailor your order to their garden — markers start at $6 a piece, but most fall in the $10-$12 range. 

Now that she can garden again, gift her this beautiful glass orb (available in blue, orange or yellow), which holds small sips of water in its crevices to keep pollinators hydrated when they fly from flower to flower.

Rain makes a garden grow, but too much of a good thing is, well, bad. This copper gauge is a beautiful, albeit scientific way to measure rainfall in inches. Available in a tabletop model, a mounted option and a garden stake — FWIW, I’m impartial to the latter.

Have his littlest loves press their palms into the wet cement, then stamp their names and decorate it with multi-colored gems. This kit comes with everything you need — just make sure you allot at least 36 hours for the stone to harden before gifting. Prices vary by stone size, with the 10" option starting at $25 (or $30 with the stamp). 

There’s more than meets the eye here. Fill the shallow well with water and sand, then watch tons of beautiful butterflies stop by to snack on the crystal mixture that’s left behind.

The perk of having a vegetable garden? Fewer trips to the grocery store and more garden-to-table produce. That said, Randi of Freckled Californian recommends having a solid salad spinner on standby. "I use it to quickly and thoroughly dry my homegrown lettuce, herbs and chopped veggies before cooking," she tells us. "It works so much better than dabbing with paper towels!"

Herb gardens aren’t just for cooks. "One of the best things about having a garden is being able to pop outside and snip some fresh mint or chamomile flowers to make your own tea mix," Randi adds. A tea strainer is key if they plan to sip on their garden’s bounty — and this one is made with an extra-fine mesh that'll prevent even the smallest pieces from slipping through.

Flowers tell a story, but not everyone can make sense of it. This illustrated encyclopedia will walk your gardener through the meanings behind common flowers like jasmine, marigolds and roses. As a result, they'll understand the message their garden is sending and make more intentional bouquets for the ones they love.