Favorite Garden Tools

Photo by E. Spencer Toy; written by Julie Chai

Gardening gloves

West County Gardener’s landscape gloves are supple enough for planting, and reinforced with Kevlar for tougher chores too. $32; westcountygardener.com

Photo by E. Spencer Toy; written by Julie Chai

Nonstick shovel

Muddy clay soil sticks to most shovels. But it slides right off this perforated one, which makes big digging tasks a cinch. Toolite round point D-grip shovel, $73; midwestrake.com

Photo by E. Spencer Toy; written by Julie Chai

Lightweight hose

The Slim & Light hose is lead-free, so you don’t have to worry if people or pets drink from it. From $35 for 25-ft. length; waterrightinc.com

Photo by E. Spencer Toy; written by Julie Chai

All-purpose bucket

We use the flexible Tubtrug for everything, from carrying tools and soil to carting clippings to the compost pile. From $11 for 13-in. diameter; tubtrugs.com

Photo by E. Spencer Toy; written by Julie Chai

Ergonomic hand tools

These essentials come in bright colors that are as easy on the eyes as the tools are on your muscles. From $10; radiusgarden.com

Photo by E. Spencer Toy; written by Julie Chai

Food-growing books

In addition to the basics, The Essential Urban Farmer (Penguin, 2011; $25), by Novella Carpenter and Willow Rosenthal, tackles topics like beekeeping. Backyard orchardists will find help in Colby Eierman’s Fruit Trees in Small Spaces (Timber Press, 2012; $25). Like to eat as much as you like to garden? Willi Galloway’s Grow Cook Eat (Sasquatch Books, 2012; $30) gives a recipe for each crop.

Photo by Thomas J. Story

Self-watering pots

At last, some good-looking self-watering pots for not-quite-green-thumbs. GroBal (71/8 in., $25) and GroBal Baby (4¼ in., $15; velocityartanddesign.com).

Photo by Thomas J. Story

Mobile planter

This mobile planter―ideal for decks and balconies―is made from recycled plastic milk jugs. Food Map Container (33-in.-long container on 30-in. legs, $255).

Photo by Thomas J. Story

Artsy planter

Let this tiny modern planter stand alone as a sculpture―or add some greenery to create a living roof. Truss planter (4 in. tall, $51; mollaspace.com).

Photo by Thomas J. Story

Watering can

Alessi translates an old standby into a punchy marriage of form and function, sturdy metal spout and all. Kiwi Watering Can (2 qt., $49; thegardener.com).

Photo by Thomas J. Story

Portable spout

This portable spout (and inspired space saver) converts a used plastic bottle into a watering can. Twist & Spout (fits 2-liter bottle, $8; at Stumasa, 415/759-1234).

Photo by Thomas J. Story

Birdhouse

Inspired by 1960s Buckminster Fuller buildings, this geodesic-dome birdhouse has a backdoor for cleanout. Birdhouse by Kelly Lamb (8 in., $95; areaware.com).