Field and Garden: Gift ideas for gardeners and others, too

“Where do you think he’s going?” I asked my wife. We were watching as a squirrel climbed a spruce tree outside our kitchen window and cautiously made his way toward the end of a branch.

The creature’s gaze was fixed on the bright red bird feeder hanging on a shepherd’s hook about eight feet from the tree.

“I think he’s going to jump for it,” I said. But the thin branch bowed under the squirrel’s weight, and he seemed to have second thoughts.

We could almost see the frustration on the squirrel’s face, as he gave up his plan, turned and scampered back down the tree.

The whole scene was quite entertaining, adding to the enjoyment that my wife and I have received from our bird feeder, a Christmas present from our brother-in-law last year.

Are you looking for a gift for a friend or family member? A bird feeder might be a good choice.

There are many designs from which to choose. A friend recently told me how much fun he’s had watching blue jays work to extract peanuts at his wreath-type feeder.

If the gift recipient already has a bird feeder, then how about a bag of bird seed from our local farm supply store?

Additional gift ideas related to our yards and gardens include the following:

• Garden gloves. Even good quality gloves wear out after a year, so most gardeners will welcome a new pair.

• For an extra surprise, tuck inside the gloves a gift card to a garden supply store.

• Garden scissors. Thick and sharp garden scissors are useful for many tasks, including cutting and deadheading flowers, harvesting vegetables and opening seed packets.

It may seem extravagant, but I have three pairs of scissors, which I store in different places for convenience.

• A plant or flowering bulb. Poinsettias, amaryllis and paperwhites are three colorful gift ideas that will brighten any room during Christmas.

Amaryllis and paperwhites are frequently sold in kits containing everything that is needed to produce colorful flowers indoors.

• Hand pruners and loppers. Hand pruners are used for cutting small branches, typically less than three quarters of an inch in diameter. Loppers are used for cutting larger branches.

The bypass or scissor-type design is recommended for both tools. The curved blades overlap as they close, making a clean cut.

• Anvil-type pruners and loppers have a sharp upper blade that cuts against the flat lower surface. This design is not as good because it tends to crush branches rather than cut them cleanly.

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Farmers, ranchers and townspeople are all invited to attend Central Dakota Ag Day at the Carrington REC on Friday, Dec. 15.

Coffee and donuts will be available at 9:30 a.m. The keynote address begins at 10:00 a.m.

Speakers throughout the day will present recent research-based information related to crop and livestock production. This year’s program also has sessions related to gardening, food and culture.

Preregistration is not required.