Need magazine ideas for son's gift

13 years ago

My son lives in San Antonio and has become a newbie vegetable and flower gardener. I'd like to order some magazines or books online for his birthday. Any suggestions?

He's been sending daily pictures of his first pepper plant (next to a quarter) and is excited to see it growing. I think a monthly magazine would keep his interest going. He also has one tomato plant (he hates tomatoes!!!) so it tickles me that he's getting into it. I've always just planted the seeds and had great luck but I'm in S. Calif. and it's a lot hotter where he is.

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Comments (11)

birdbite
13 years ago
my absolute favorite gardening magazine is "Country Gardens" put out by Better Homes & Gardens. It only comes 4 times a year but is soooo worth it!

Here is a link that might be useful: Country Gardens Magazine
rock_oak_deer
13 years ago
Central Texas Gardener has a list of books and publications with specific info on our area.

Here is a link that might be useful: CTG
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Thank you again everyone - this gives me even more to work on. As for the jewelry - I think it's so interesting that a circle pin was mentioned twice - I was given one when I graduated and I still have it. She'll be wearing lots of suits and a simple, classic pin just might work well. Maybe a circle pin with tiny pearls or even a stick pin. I had thought of a Waterford paperweight - they have a star one and I could have it engraved and include a note saying something about 'a rising young star in the legal profession' - and since she's graduating at the top of her class I wouldn't be exaggerating. If I give her a silver frame I could even print one of the photos they've sent me of the two of them and place that inside. I hadn't thought of the school's gift shop - I can check out their web site or phone them. And that's a good idea too about the cookbook and the tea set. I'll have to ask my son if she drinks tea - but what makes this idea interesting is that a year ago she couldn't cook. Her idea of a meal was scrambled eggs and grilled cheese. My son has worked in restaurants and he's always making meals for his friends and now she's learning her way around the kitchen too. Thanks again everyone - I feel much better about a gift now. I'm going to write down these ideas and put them in the box with all of my greeting cards. That way I can refer to it the next time I find myself worrying about a gift.
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Carol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
13 years ago
If he is internet savvy, as most young people are, I suggest an annual membership to that other gardening forum that charges a fee. A monthly magazine gets old in about 30 minutes, but the website membership would offer him so much more. I find most gardening magazines waaaaaayy too generic, trying to be useful for all zones and all plants. They end up being useful to no one. Just my two cents.
bobbi_p
13 years ago
If he's stumbling into vegetable gardening, "Commonsense Vegetable Gardening for the South" is my Bible for veggie gardening. Having grown up in Illinois and spending 10 years in Alaska, the timing of when to plant here in Texas was my biggest obstacle. You can grow various things year-round, you just need to know when to plant, and what varieties do well here. This book is great for that. When he gets good, then he can experiment!

This book is out of print, but you can generally find them used on Amazon. The authors have a new one out called "The Southern Kitchen Garden," but I really like the old one better.

Here is a link that might be useful: Commonsense Vegetable Gardening Book
justintx
13 years ago
I've found Neil Sperry's magazine useful. 6 times yearly. I like the tips for the time of year you get the magazine, too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Neil Sperry's Gardens
natesgram
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks everyone for the great ideas and links.
Nate's Gramma
yummykaz
13 years ago
I have looked at a ton. My fav by far is Countryside. Most of the articles are written by readers. Everything from liberal hippie types to conservative old timers write for it. I used to get Mother Earth News but it is just all adds and slicky pics.
linda_tx8
13 years ago
Texas Gardener
http://www.texasgardener.com/
BTW, that other gardening site that charges an annual fee has gone through some changes lately. You might want to check around before buying someone a subscription.
Carol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
13 years ago
Linda, what kind of changes? I haven't noticed them, but maybe I am probably just not observant. Please explain - would appreciate it!
linda_tx8
13 years ago
I'm just saying that the man who created it is no longer associated with that site. And the newest owner is involved in legal proceedings now with him. I quit, cancelled my subscription and membership. Email me and I can tell you more.
Carol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
13 years ago
Holy cow. I'm up to speed now and what a mess.

Need magazine ideas for son's gift

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