Gear for the Garden

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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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.