We offer a host of great gardening gift ideas with which to spoil Dad this Father's Day.
| Did you know that Father's Day is not the invention of the world's retail sector? Rather, it's an American tradition dating back 100 years. The idea for creating a day whereby children could honour their fathers was suggested in 1909 by a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd in Spokane, Washington, USA.
After Dodd's mother died, she was raised by her father, Henry Jackson Smart. Her father had made all the parental sacrifices in her life and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Dodd wanted her father to know how special he was to her, and, after hearing a Mother's Day sermon in church, was motivated to lobby for a National Fathers Day. Dodd's father was born in June, and consequently, the first Father's Day celebration was hosted in Spokane, Washington on 19 June, 1910. In 1924, US President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the third Sunday in June as National Father's Day. After that, roses were traditionally regarded as the favourite flowers for the day. A red rose was worn to honour a living father and a white rose if your father had passed away. These days, Dads are usually honoured with a delicious lunch and receive presents to say a grateful thanks for everything they have done for the family. Try these gifts ideas for your Dad this year: Tools of the tradeTo get the garden into the right shape, and to keep it there, Dad needs the correct equipment. Choose from the following essential tools: For the lawnIf the budget allows, he will need a lawnmower and the type of lawnmower depends on the size of the lawn. You will also have to decide between an electric or petrol driven, rotary or cylinder, and a push, self-propelled or hover type lawnmower. An edge cutter will be necessary for those edges around the flowerbeds, against walls and next to paved areas. You will have a choice between electric or petrol, and bottom or top mount motors. Leaves lying on lawns and paving can be an eyesore, so get Dad a garden vacuum/blower combination for tidying up these areas. They can switch easily from blower to vacuum and some machines shred the leaves into fine pieces, which is ideal material for the compost heap. |
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For flowerbeds
A good quality pair of secateurs is needed for cutting back foliage and stems, as well as a hedge trimmer for controlling wild growth or shaping of hedges and bushes. Hedge trimmers come in manual or power models. Consider also a fertiliser spreader and a high-pressure sprayer for insecticides and other fluid type applications. When purchasing any of these, make sure that the parts can be replaced. A chainsaw can also make life easier on a plot or very large garden.
Another useful addition to the garden shed is a garden shredder/chipper. This can be used to chop kitchen refuse like vegetables or garden clippings into fine pieces, which can then be added to the compost heap for mulch. Finally, don't forget items such as a spade, fork, pick, rake, general hand tools like trowels, gardening gloves, a hosepipe with hose reel and attachments, and a wheelbarrow.
Tips for tools
- Store tools inside to prevent rust and damage caused by the elements.
- Make sure tools are cleaned after every use to prevent rust. Give them an occasional application of oil to prolong their lifespan.
- Plastic or wooden grips for spades and forks are best as this will reduce shock to the arms or wrists should you hit a stone or something solid.
- If your garden is large, rather purchase a ¾ inch or 19mm hosepipe, which will provide more water pressure over a longer distance.
- When choosing a rake, make sure that the head is attached to the shaft properly, not just with a nail or small screw.
- Never use secateurs to cut through branches thicker than 3cm, rather use a saw or pair of loppers.
Perfect pruning
June & July is pruning time so secateurs and other pruning equipment make ideal Father's Day gifts. We help you decide what to buy:
Secateurs
There is a pruner for every cutting job - light pruners for branches under 10mm, medium pruners for branches 10-15mm and large pruners for heavier pruning of branches up to 20mm. Cutting anything thicker is not only hard work but may also damage the secateurs, so rather use a pair of loppers or, for thicker branches, a pruning saw.
Loppers
Long-handled, heavy duty pruning loppers provide greater leverage needed for cutting out thicker wood up to about 30mm in diameter. The long reach of the tool enables you to reach into difficult-to-get-at places. Loppers also allow for overhead work.
Pruning saws
For branches over 30cm in diameter that are close to a main stem or branch it is best to use a pruning saw. They have wide-set teeth which do not clog up with wet sawdust while in use and are available in various designs.
Long handled cutters
For cutting out thin branches which are well out of arm's reach buy a long-handled tree pruner. This tool has a 1,5-2m long pole with cutting blades attached to the top. The blades are operated by a long pull-cord.
Long-handled saws have a hook that fits over a branch and a blade is operated by a lever at the bottom of the handle, which, when pulled, slices the branches off. This reduces the need for using a ladder when cutting back high branches.
What about a water feature?
Dad might appreciate the gift of a micro water feature. You could either get him a two-piece water feature with a miniature waterfall, which will make a lovely addition to a dull area of the patio or in a corner of a brick courtyard, or a millstone-type feature.
A fibreglass pre-constructed 'rock' water feature is a quick and easy way of adding the sound of water to the garden. As there is no cement or permanent construction involved, these types of water features are simple and easy to install. All that is needed is a small pond pump. Accessorise your water feature with white pebbles, peat moss and garden ornaments or statues.
For the eco-conscious Dad
Birds: A bird bath is a popular gift choice for the bird-loving gardener, or you can buy Dad a bird feeder – there are many options from which to choose. Birds will relish a supply of bread, kitchen scraps, fruit, special blends of bird seed or bone meal from the butcher. Make sure food is always fresh and do not feed birds any 'processed food' (prepared for human consumption), as these can be harmful to some species of birds.
Other creatures: Other wildlife not usually seen in a garden can be encouraged to visit by providing them with nesting sites. Why not buy a bat house or owl box? Find out more from the Endangered Wildlife Trust on tel: 011-486-1102, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit: www.ewt.org.za
Recycling is good: The more we can re-use from our natural resources, the better, so buy a gift that will help save both money and the planet!
Compost: A compost bin can be used to recycle kitchen and garden waste into useful food for the garden. Small bins are obtainable from most garden centres. They also sell a compost activator which helps to speed up the process of compost-making.
Water: Water is the key to gardening success and collecting rainwater off a roof is a conservation practice that every gardener should consider. Harvest this precious resource by installing a water tank. Contact Jojo Tanks on 013-262-3021 or visit www.jojotanks.co.za; and Stewarts & Lloyds on 011-553-8500 or visit www.stewartsandlloyds.co.za
