Thank you for entering the Dig This Oak Bay draw at our Open House.  The lucky winner of our $250 Gift Certificate was Maureen Mackintosh.  Congratulations Maureen!

And welcome to our Dig This newsletter.  The newsletter comes out roughly 12 times per year and you can view any of our earlier newsletters by going to http://www.digthis.com/newsletterarchive   You'll find them full of information on what to do in the garden each month, local gardening events, feature articles on garden design and plants, and tips on various types of gardening.  Starting in 2009, look for a regular feature on the 100 Mile Diet for Vancouver Island gardeners.

We just sent out this short newsletter on garden-related stocking stuffers.  We hope it will help you finish off your Christmas shopping with a minimum of stress.

Elizabeth Cull, Franchise President

Still looking for great stocking stuffers for all the garden lovers on your list? Let us help you find just the right thing. Check out our Staff Picks below.
 

• Mini snippers for dead heading flowers
   
• Plant tags - copper, wood, plastic - so you know what you've planted and where!
   
• Seeds - the 2009 seeds have started to arrive
   
• Napkin rings shaped like flowers
   
• Little iron critters:  turtles, frogs, ladybugs and dragonflies - fun in the garden and they make a great paperweight
   
• A suet cage, a package of suet or a package of Hummingbird food - the birds will thank you
   
• Copper slug strips
   
• Sidewalk Hand Weeder – at less than $3, this is the best value tool ever!
   
• Seed Sprinkles – little tins of flower seeds to scatter in the garden
   
• Bottletop waterer – turn a water or pop bottle into a handy watering device
   

• Twist & Spout – another clever device to make a watering can from an old water or pop bottle
   
• Glass slugs, snails, frogs & ladybugs – beautiful and fun!
   
• Kneepads and kneelers to save your knees on the hard, cold ground
   
• Bundle of Blooms - wildflower seeds imbedded in paper for easy planting
   
• Blumats - the best device to water your plants while you're away
   
• Fog Off - clears your car windows and bathroom mirrors
   
• Rachet Pruners
   
• Battery-operated T-lites and candles – safer than an open flame
   
• Bars of soap - many gorgeous scents to choose from
   
• Nail brushes and soothing hand cream
   
• Iron lizzards, snails and birds
   
• Gloves
   
• Moisture and PH meters
   
• A log vase – long tubular vase to hold flowers or candles
    
• Lawn claws – makes picking up leaves so easy
   
• Hummingbird feeders

• The Bandit – a BC made garden tool that weeds & cultivates. One of our favourite tools!
   
• A Gnome - give a gnome a home for Christmas
   
• Cat Grass in a container, with a catnip mouse as well
   
• Amaryllis bulbs - these will bloom right into April
   
• Pacific North-West Birding for Children - enjoy identifying our local birds with the kids in your life 
   
• Year-Around Harvest: Winter Gardening on the Coast - a practical how-to book to grow food year round in our climate
    
• The Waspinator - keeps wasps away from your deck
    
• Hand cream and muscle soak - wonderful after a day in the garden
   
• Indoor/outdoor digital thermometer
   
• Soil thermometer
   
• Pig tail hose guide - made in Victoria
   
• Hummingbird feeder
     
• Garden-in-a-Bag - a small water-tight bag complete with growing medium and seeds. Basil, cilantro, parsley, several different flowers, tomatoes and cat grass.

Dig This Broadmead is having another Special Shopping Evening on Tuesday, December 9th from 5 pm to 8 pm.  Save 10% on all your purchases that night and take advantage of in-store specials available that evening.

Dig This at Market Square will be open to 8 pm on Thursday, December 11 as part of the LoJo (Lower Johnson Street) and Design District Christmas festivities.  Save 10% on your purchases and enjoy a glass of hot apple cider while you shop.

Dig This Nanaimo is open until 8 pm on Thursdays and Fridays before Christmas.

Elizabeth, Virginia, Peter & Christiane, and Ann - plus all the Dig This staff - wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thank you for being such wonderful customers.