Gather a gardening kit for a great Father’s Day gift
DIGGING IN
Q. My dad has become a great gardener as of late. Now that it’s Father’s Day, I am looking for suggestions to get him, related to gardening. Any ideas for me to keep him successful in his new passion of “Diggin In?” — G.S., Albuquerque
A. Whenever I work outside my first focus is keeping safe. So for your dad’s protection I’ll suggest several things.
First, gather a gardening kit for him. Include things like a new bottle of sunscreen, a bandana to keep the sun off his neck, a wide brimmed hat and a long-sleeved shirt that he won’t feel guilty about getting dirty and is easily cleaned.
I know getting him to wear the hat, apply the sunscreen before venturing out, and wear the gardening shirt might be trick, but a loving nudge reminds him that you want him to keep himself safe so he’ll be able to garden for years to come. In other words you might need to sort of guilt him into staying safe.
Even with a doctor’s advice I couldn’t get my father to wear a hat ever. And apply sunscreen? Bah! But again, sometimes “guilt” works great as a way to enforce the keeping him safer rules. Don’t forget gloves too!
Next, in the kit add several small hand tools. A trowel, a hand rake, a ball of twine, a small pair of scissors, a weed digger, and a good pair of hand loppers are always good things to keep gathered when working in the gardens. There are few things more frustrating to a gardener than having to stop — mid-project — to find a piece of twine or the loppers to eliminate an errant branch or get that pesky weed. By keeping a collection of smaller tools handy it’ll be a welcome way for dad to garden. You might even get a cheap tool box and paint it green to know that it is the gardening toolbox.
Also, think about finding a plant that will remind him of you for a long time. Perhaps get dad to accompany you to a nursery so he could pick out a new young tree, rose, or shrub to grace his gardens. Planting something that you two picked out together would be a pleasant experience for him to be sure. Most importantly, if dad lives near to you, offer yourself. Get out there with him to offer a hand with the heavy projects he needs done. Nothing would be valued more than having you out there with him while he’s out there Diggin’ In!
Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there! Readers: I was reminded of a weather fact earlier this week and want to pass along a few thoughts. While tuned in to the Weather Channel I heard that historically June 15th is the beginning of our monsoon season.
That startled me since I always think of it as happening later in the season. With the monsoon rains comes the annual return of those pesky mosquitoes!
So it’s time to do a visual check in the yard for any place that can and does hold water for an extended period of time. Your aim is to up-end any container that can hold water that isn’t refreshed regularly! I mean things like a plant saucer that’s been abandoned, or a bucket or pail which can hold stagnant water for days at a time. Mosquitoes breed rapidly, so it doesn’t take long for the next generation to come to adulthood and use you for food.
It might be surprising as to just how little water is needed for their breeding process so be on the look out for anything that can hold water. The forgotten coffee cup left after a morning of gardening. A soft drink can left out after a cook out, children’s sand pails, the collection of pots and saucers kept on a gardening table, or a watering can that’s not used very often. There can be so many things in the yard that can collect and hold just enough water to give those nasty mosquitoes a breeding place that I’m strongly suggesting you get out there and give everything a very critical look.
Make it your aim to eliminate anything in your gardens that could become a stagnant water keeper. The fewer places for mosquitoes to breed, the more enjoyable your time spent outdoors will be! Have a good week, stay safe & Happy Diggin’ In!
Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.