Henny Penny Farmette

It’s winter, the time when many plants (including succulents) go dormant. But that doesn’t mean you cannot propagate new plants from your existing succulents. You don’t need any special tricks to get a cutting to root (you can often just pluck a fleshy leaf or stem and ease it into soil or suspend in water and it will root). However, root hormone powder is a great way to get roots started on just about everything, including succulents.

Lovely lavender rose-shaped succulents add interest in garden or pot when grouped together

Root hormone powder makes short work of getting new roots on your succulent cutting. You just dip the cleanly cut edge of a fleshy leaf into the powder and shallowly plant in a succulent planting mix or potting soil (a half leaf or one not cleanly detached should not be used). Gently water directly, give lots of light exposure, rotate often, and mist regularly to keep the soil moist and the plant happy.

Outside, succulents in a pretty pot sits on a porch

Succulents planted in attractive pots make lovely living gifts for the holidays. For friends with garden windows that offer lots of light, why not group three pots of succulents on a tray? Find a variety of pots and succulents in a diy center or local nursery.

In the garden, succulents lend interest when paired with other potted plants and garden statuary

Diverse succulents in a range of sizes (tall, medium, and short heights) are particularly striking when grouped together a a round shallow pot or long rectangular container.

Combine different types of succulents in a single pot

They’re not just for winter holiday gift-giving, succulents are appreciated all year long. They love light, but not a blazing hot sun. They appreciate a soak and dry method of watering. And some prefer the outdoors. Some even reward your efforts with a bloom.  To give a succulent as a holiday gift, all you need is a healthy plant in a pretty pot. Just add a ribbon and a gift card. The plants are so easy to grow, propagate, and care for, that everyone loves them.

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Invariably, when fall and winter holidays roll around each year, I find myself wishing that I’d planned ahead and utilized more raw materials from the garden for gift-giving. If you have had a similar experience, here are some ideas for turning what you grow into heart-warming gifts.

Seeds from the heads of giant sunflowers make great gifts

At summer’s end, harvest the seeds of your favorite flowers like cosmos, sunflowers, nasturtiums, zinnias, and even vegetables. Dry and re-package into paper envelopes that you hand-stamp, emboss, or otherwise embellish for gift-giving. Be sure to include information about how to grow the plant.

Rose petals, Spanish lavender, and French perfume lavender can be used to make a flower essences or potpourri

Flowers and herbs, picked at their zenith, can be turned into potpourri, fragrant soaps, soothing lotions, and skin moisturizers.

If you keep bees in your backyard garden, consider using the extra wax for dipping candles. Of course, honey is highly prized for its healthful properties, so be sure to jar up plenty of honey for gift-giving occasions.

Vines, berries, and pine cones are easily transformed into wreaths and dry arrangements.

A bottle of vodka, gin, or other spirits can be transformed into a gourmet gift by the addition of sun-ripened berries, herbs, vegetables (such a cucumber), or fruits and then stored in a dark, cool place for at least six weeks.

Gourds make lovely bird feeders and bird houses.

Dried chilies can be made into wreaths

Just imagine the delight a dried-pepper wreath, a garlic braid, or jars of dried beans and seeds might evoke.

Make sheets of homemade paper, incorporating  colorful rose petals, lavender, or pansies. Making paper is easy if you have a blender, some scraps of paper (junk mail works), and water.

Seed cakes, created from crunchy peanut butter, seeds, nuts, and dried fruit, make great gifts for bird lovers who can place them near feeders during the cold months when the bird must vigorously forage for food.

Re-potted cuttings of your garden favorites make lovely gifts for other gardeners in your family or circle of friends

Take cuttings in fall or early spring from your roses, dip the cuttings into root hormone, and plant the cuttings into a pot of soil that you keep damp until the roots have formed.  Or dig bulbs (bearded irises, for example) and place in a tin for gift-giving.

Preserve jars of pie-filling, do up crocks of pickles, or create mouth-watering chutneys and special relishes. Wrap the jar lids in gingham and ribbon. Use hot-water canning of fruit and citrus into jam, jelly, and marmalade. Place jars of these items into a  food basket, made festive with the addition of colorful tea towels or tissue paper and ribbon.

Use clean, dry corn husks for tamale-making, or craft them into corn husk dolls.

With a little forethought and advance planning, you’ll have plenty of backyard bounty to harvest and turn into gifts for almost any holiday or special occasion.