Christmas Gift Ideas From The Garden
The Sun Herald
Sunday November 29, 1992
SOME unusual, attractive and fun gifts are on the market for gardeners thinking of early Christmas shopping. Garden Pleasures is one of two lavish, decorative wall calendars published by Transworld (02) 953 8563 with lovely photographs by Murray Alcosser that are worth keeping, perhaps as table mats. Price $22.95.
The other, called Herbs, is more practical with monthly bouquets, recipes and good ideas by Emelie Tolley and Chris Mead. Price $16.95.
Also from Transworld is the Australian Gardeners Diary, a useful desk size with plenty of space for notes embellished with garden tips, recipes, drawings and photographs. Price $22.95.
Minimax Pty Ltd has a novel way of introducing children to the wonders of growing from seed with My Garden Books, a series which gives clear and illustrated instructions as well as five varieties of seeds. Titles include My Herb Garden, My Flower Garden and My Vegetable Garden. $12.95 each.
Just for fun is a natty little paperback, Mrs Murphy's Laws for Gardening(A & R, $8.95) which lays down some truths about the world's most popular hobby.
Whenever, for example, you set out to do anything worthwhile in the garden, something else needs doing first. Ideal for the frustrated gardener or sceptical friend.
THINKING of gifts and Christmas, it is difficult not to hear the commercial message to spend money. For some years I have found that home-made presents give more pleasure and there is certainly more fun in creating them, especially if you can use home-grown material.
Herbs, for example, make delicious flavoured vinegar which could be ready for use on Christmas Day. Use white wine (not malt) vinegar as a base. A bulk 2-litre plastic bottle is under $2 in supermarkets. Pack the herb of your choice, such as basil, thyme, tarragon, garlic, rosemary or marjoram, into glass jars or bottles and then cover with vinegar.
(Basil is better if the leaves are scalded in boiling water for 30 seconds and then chilled in cold water before soaking in vinegar).
Shake the containers a couple of times a day over the next couple of weeks. When the flavour is to your liking, strain the liquid through cheesecloth. Wash some small clear glass bottles (tonic or soda splits are ideal) and pour in the strained vinegar, adding a fresh sprig or leaf of the herb. Garlic looks particularly interesting if peeled and threaded on to a sate stick and placed in the bottle.
Attractive gifts can be made with little baskets. They are cheap and last for years. Line the bottom of a basket with aluminium foil, put in a piece of moist oasis (obtained from a florist) and make a colourful arrangement of flowers - small blossoms for a small basket, bigger or taller flowers in a large basket. Vary the contents. Dried grasses look fabulous; different berry fruits, rose hips, capsules and pods make a decorative collection; dried leaves, natural or painted, are also pretty. Holly lasts well and mixes superbly with red Christmas bush or Ochna. Small baskets filled with these plants make admirable festive presents and are easy on the pocket.
Another idea is to collect living plants in tiny pots, either tube stock or in punnets. Buy shallow baskets which will hold several plants, set the pots in a bed of shredded Cellophane and tie with a bright ribbon to complete the effect.
Many plants strike easily at this time. Balsam (Bizzie Lizzie), Coleus and assorted geraniums are quick to grow roots and soon look attractive in pots.
Strawberries are delicious for the next couple of months and you can do wonderful things with the big ones. In a double boiler melt the most expensive dark chocolate you can afford. Hold each strawberry by the stalk, dip it about half-way into the chocolate, then dry on greaseproof paper (or the new Paper Plus) trying to keep the chocolate end upwards. When the chocolate is set, place in a basket or box and keep chilled until ready to present.
Children can have fun making an evergreen ball. Thread a loop of string or wire through a firm, large potato and poke holes in it with a skewer. Push sprigs of attractive leaves such as holly, bamboo or small leafed conifers such as Cryptomeria or Thuja. Get enough foliage to hide the potato from all angles when it is hanging. Add some tinsel or small, bright baubles and you have an instant, festive present. Many more gifts can be made from garden and kitchen - jams, jellies, pickles, potpourris - imagination is the only limitation.
If you can find it, a book called Gifts from the Garden by Caroline Gunter(Kangaroo Press) is packed with unusual, challenging and useful ideas.
IF THE idea of making gifts from the garden appeals, a series of workshops organised by the Education Service of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, begins next year in the Visitor's Centre. Inquiries: (02) 231 8128 or 8134.
© 1992 The Sun Herald