Home: 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. From pruning shears to watering cans, the latest buzz is about ergonomics and comfort. Here are a few of the coolest green-thumb gadgets.

A SLIMMER TRIMMER

Scissors just don’t cut it. For rose bushes and other thorny matters, Fiskars 15-in. Easy Reach Pruners have handy levers for snipping at a distance; $25.

THE NEW GARDEN SHOE

Ratty old running sneakers work for some, but if you’ve got $99 to shell out for grass-stain- and water-resistant footwear, LawnGrips are hot to trot.

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 for $8 from Wishingfish.com Choices include parsley, oregano and basil.

CADDY CHIC

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

SOLAR BIRDBATH

For your feathered friends, this backyard fountain needs neither wires nor transformers; it’s powered by the sun. Copper with an 18-in. bowl; $179 from Gardener’s Supply.

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 these $40 Bionic mitts are made for gardening. They’re tight (so debris can’t slip in) and light (to limit sweating).