Gadgets for gardener on your gift list

Long-handled tools that make the job a bit easier are popular gifts.
When you've finished with the gents on your shopping list, head to a garden center and pick up some new garden tools for the ladies.
Karen Kappler, of Mellinger's in North Lima, said there are all sorts of nifty, new gardening gadgets to choose from this year.
"One popular item is the Little Garden Hopper," Kappler said. "It is a platform on wheels that you can sit on and sort of roll along as you do your garden work. There is a space for storage underneath."
The Little Garden Hopper retails for about $30.
Other new and popular gift items for gardeners include:
* A multipurpose sprayer that can be used for water, insecticides or cleaning products. The sprayer holds up to a gallon of liquid and comes with a shoulder strap and detachable wand. It sells for $18.50.
* The new Giraffe Long Neck pruners make clipping hard-to-reach branches a snap. After the branch has been cut, this tool will hold it in place instead of letting it fall to the ground. The 12-inch model sells for $21.95 and the 36-inch model costs about $30.
* The Easy Digger isn't new, but Kappler said it is always a popular gift item. The digger's rounded handle makes it gentle on the hands and its 7-inch blade delves smoothly through hard ground. It costs about $13.
* Bulb planters aren't new either, but they're still a hot item. A long-handled type sells for about $24 and a short-handled model costs about $7.
* Trowels, hoes and cultivators with extended handles eliminate bending and stooping. You can buy a three-pack for about $31.
Other ideas
If your favorite gardener already has every tool known to humankind, go a different route.
Kappler said mailbox cover planters are a fresh idea for a great gift.
"It's a red cedar cover that fits over top of the mailbox. The top of the cover can be filled with dirt and you can plant flowers in it," she said.
Mailbox covers sell for about $50.
Compost bins are also popular for the gardener who always talks about starting a compost heap but never really gets around to doing so.
"There are a variety of sizes and styles. You can get a small bin for $20 and an extra-large one for about $200," Kappler said. And don't forget that every gardener needs a good set of kneepads, gloves and boots.