The right equipment can really make yard work seem like less of a chore. This spring, step up you gardening game with the tools touted by industry pros. This arsenal has nearly everything you'll need to turn your yard into your own private paradise. Just add elbow grease.
1. Soak...
The simplest tools can cause the biggest headaches if they're not up to the task at hand. Toss out your old hose with its kinks and cracks and trade up for the industry standard. The pliant soft outer jacket is protected by a durable cover and matched by rugged crush-proof couplings that will weather the test of time. Swan Soft & Supple hoses, $30 and up, various sizes, Jake's Greenhouse and Garden Center, 435 Mountain Home Rd., Sinking Spring. 610.670.8595, jakesgreenhouse.com
2. Garden gauntlet.
These gloves are bestsellers, and it's easy to see why. The lightweight nylon lets you feel what you're doing, while the special coating protects tender fingers and palms. Choose a heavier version if thorny roses are the pride of your flower bed. Master Nursery's Nitrile Gloves, $5.99, assorted colors, Esbenshade's Greenhouse, 721 Park Rd., Fleetwood. 610.944.3000, esbenshades.com
3. Smoldering snips.
The bright orange handles on these garden shears make them easy to find if they're misplaced among the greenery, but they're much more than a beacon for the absentminded. An ultra-sharp point makes for accurate deadheading and shaping, plus they're lightweight and pocket-sized. Fiskar's Softgrip Micro-Tip Floral Snip, $16.95, Graybuck Country Home and Gardens, 4373 Morgantown Rd., Rt. 10, Mohnton. 610.855.8322, graybuck.com
4. And spray!
For smaller jobs and indoor flora, this beautifully engineered hybrid packs a one-two punch, combining a standard watering can and a spray nozzle for the finest mist. Plus its sleek, contemporary design and rainbow of colors makes it elegant enough to leave in full view. No need to scrounge for storage space! Scheurich Sprayman, $14.99, Riverview Tree & Landscaping, 3049 Pricetown Rd., Temple. 610.929.5049, riverviewtree.com
5. Tireless tool.
Lighten your load with this little multi-tasker, which digs holes, slices through roots, carves furrows for seeds, weeds and can even be employed for pumpkin carving in the fall. The stainless steel scoop is matched with a comfortable cushioned grip made from recycled materials. Soil Scoop by Garden Works, $21.95, six assorted colors, Spayds at Green Valley Nursery Inc., 4610 Penn Avenue, Sinking Spring. 610.678.6711, spayds.com
