This year, consider giving gifts that support nature, such as birdbaths and native plant seeds.

At this point in the holiday season, many of us are busy buying gifts. This year, consider giving gifts that support nature. The birds and bees will thank you, along with the beneficial critters in your soil, plants in your yard and gardeners in your life. Here are some ideas.

Seeds from local plant companies 

How about some seeds? Native plant seeds are great for local wildlife like bees and butterflies. Local seed companies sell native plant seeds along with other seeds that are adapted to Pacific Northwest conditions, such as a short growing season and cool climate.

• Territorial Seed is located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range. The company has a dedicated 75-acre trial, research and production farm. It offers seed collections for holiday gifts.
• Deep Harvest Farm sells 100% certified organic seeds, vegetables and flowers from its farm on Whidbey Island.
• Ed Hume Seeds is a family owned and operated business, selling seeds and garden products since 1977.

Birdbaths and plants for birds 

Birds will bring life and color to your outdoor space, while helping to control pest insects. Birds need food, water and shelter.

You could buy a birdbath to provide water. “The best birdbaths mimic nature’s birdbaths: puddles and shallow pools of water in slow streams. So look for a birdbath that’s shallow, with a gentle slope so birds can wade into the water,” said All About Birds. Read about how to choose the right birdbath and how to set up and maintain it from All About Birds, CornellLab.

You could provide food and shelter with low, medium and tall trees and shrubs, combined with a variety of flowering plants. When choosing seeds (see above) and plants, consider native plants. Native plants with fruit, nuts or seeds are a natural source of food for birds. Select plants with varying fruiting seasons to provide food for birds year round. Birds also eat many insects, which may find habitat in native plants.

Bird feeders are a supplementary food source that may bring joy to bird watchers but may also present problems for birds, such as spreading disease and making them more vulnerable to predators. Read more from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Birdhouses are not a good idea, but many cavity-nesting birds such as house wrens, chickadees, owls and Northern flickers will use nesting boxes. The right size box and entry hole is important when selecting a nesting box for your yard, said the City of Bellingham, as are placement of the box and its maintenance. Read more below.

• Attracting Birds to Your Yard, City of Bellingham
• Attracting Birds to the Pacific Northwest Garden, North Coast Gardening
• Plants for Birds, Eastside Audubon

Books on gardening and nature

Books like The Hidden Life of Trees or Braiding Sweetgrass are great reads that dive into nature and gardening tips that are all about sustainability. The author of Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer, has a new book, The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World. For more ideas, here are some books for gardeners that we recommended last year.

Gardening tools

Nice gardening tools, like a sturdy trowel or a hori-hori knife, can make gardening way easier and more enjoyable. They’re essential for anyone who loves getting their hands dirty! This recent article in the Seattle Times lists favorite gardening tools of local garden experts.

Have fun choosing gifts that support nature and help gardeners, and happy holidays!