It’s not just the plants that are fresh in spring. Tools today often are redesigned to make gardening tasks easier. Here are some of the best we’ve seen recently.
ebotts@tribune.com
DO IT ALL
At first glance this is just a nice stainless-steel trowel with a comfortable, hefty handle. But look closer: The 7 in 1 Planter’s Buddy from True Temper adds a 12-inch ruler, a serrated edge (good for opening mulch bags), a slicing edge (for cutting sod or dividing perennial root clumps), a weeder on the tip (for popping out taproots), a wide end on the handle for whacking stakes, and, most nifty, a twine cutter for tying tomatoes or bundling branches. $14.99 at Lowe’s, Ace Hardware and Home Depot stores and Amazon.com.
GET A GRIP
Get your whole body behind your digging with the Vigoro Plus trowel’s innovative two-handed design. One hand goes in the loop handle and the other grasps the knob for more control and leverage. Great for those with limited strength. $9.97 at Home Depot stores.
SCOOP IT UP
This British-designed mulch fork is lightweight because it’s made of tough polypropylene. You wouldn’t want to dig with the Unifork, but for scooping purposes, it has a better shape than a standard garden fork. $42.95, plus shipping and handling, from Union Jack Stable & Garden in LaGrange, Ky., 800-672-8119 or www.unionjack stable.com.
COVER UP
Wrap your forearm in pigskin to protect it from all the little scratches that come with pruning. Use the sleeve over your favorite gloves. $11.50, plus shipping and handling, from Duluth Trading Co., 800-505-8888 or www.du luthtrading.com.
BUGS BE GONE
The Bug Blaster hose wand is specially designed for a wide, fine spray that can blast lurking bugs off the undersides of leaves. Many garden insect problems, such as aphids and mealy bugs, often can be disposed of with a spray of water. $24.95, plus shipping and handling, from Bug Blaster, 949-493-3310 or www.thebugblaster.com.
CIRCLE GAME
The circle grip on this weeder from NRG Pro tools allows you to place your hands where they are most comfortable and the wide ledge at the top of the blade is easier on your foot. Other tools in the line: A shovel, spade, transplanter, fork, edger and transplant spade. A magnesium alloy makes the tools lighter than traditional implements and the vivid green plastic handles make them hard to lose. Each tool sells for $34.99; for retail and mail-order stores, see www.radiusgarden.com or call 734-222-8044.
KEEP ‘EM COVERED
Padding in these hand-washable Bionic Elite sheepskin gloves keeps prominent joints from rubbing and getting blisters or calluses. Stretch inserts make them flexible. And this version is reinforced at the fingertips, where gloves tend to wear out. (Note: They run small; order a size up.) $39.95, plus shipping and handling, from Bionic, 877-524-6642 or www.bionicgloves.com.
