Gear for the Garden

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As gardeners dig in for a new season of planting, the billion-dollar horticulture industry is finding fresh ways to keep green things healthy and hobbyists happy. Whether you're an apartment dweller with just a couple of window boxes, or have a big backyard to tend, the latest buzz is about ergonomics and style. Here are a few of the coolest green-thumb gadgets.

A Slimmer Trimmer
Scissors don't cut it. For roses and other thorny matters, Fiskars 38-cm Easy Reach Pruners have handy levers for snipping at a distance; $25 from fiskars.com.

The New Garden Shoe
Ratty old running sneakers work for some, but if you've got money to shell out for grass-stain- and water-resistant footwear, LawnGrips are hot to trot; $99 from lawngrips.com.

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Sprouts in a Sack
Think of it as planting for dirt dummies. Just drop the enclosed seeds into the bag's soil, and water gently. Voilà! An instant kitchen herb garden, with your choice of parsley, oregano and basil; $8 from wishingfish.com.

Caddy Chic
Container gardening is oh-so in vogue, and the neat little tools in this Oxo set have smartly designed handles for avoiding blisters and scrapes; $40 from oxo.com.

Solar Birdbath
For your feathered friends, this backyard fountain needs neither wires nor transformers; it's powered by the sun. Copper with a 46-cm bowl; $179 from gardeners.com.

Watering Wondercan
The spout on Oxo's new Pour & Store is clear (for tracking water flow) and swings in for compact storage. The nonslip grip helps avoid spills; $15 on oxo.com.

Muckraking Mitts
They may look like batting gloves, but Bionic mitts are made for gardening. They're tight (so debris can't slip in) and light (to limit sweating); $40 from bionicgloves.com.