20 Great Garden & Harvest Tools

West County Gardener’s ($32) are supple enough for planting, and reinforced with Kevlar for tougher chores too.

Muddy clay soil sticks to most shovels. But it slides right off ($66.17), which makes big digging tasks a cinch.

The ($65.17 for 50-ft.) is lead-free, so you don’t have to worry if people or pets drink from it.

We use the flexible ($16.35 for 3.5 gallon bucket) for everything, from carrying tools and soil to carting clippings to the compost pile.

These (from $10) come in bright colors that are as easy on the eyes as the tools are on your muscles.

In addition to the basics, (Penguin, $19), by Novella Carpenter and Willow Rosenthal, tackles topics like beekeeping. Backyard orchard­ists will find help in Colby Eierman’s (Timber Press, $17). Willi Galloway’s (Sasquatch Books, $21) gives a recipe for each crop, for those who like to eat as much as you like to garden.

At last, some good-looking ($20) for not-quite-green-thumbs. The pots come in a variety of bright colors to add punch to your yard or entry.

This ($159)―ideal for decks and balconies―is made from recycled plastic milk jugs.

Let this tiny ($51) stand alone as a sculpture―or add some greenery to create a living roof.

Alessi translates an old ($58) into a punchy marriage of form and function, sturdy metal spout and all.

This ($6) and inspired space saver converts a used two-liter plastic bottle into a watering can.

Inspired by 1960s Buckminster Fuller buildings, this (8 in., $95) designed by Kelly Lamb has a backdoor for cleanout.

The galvanized mesh ($40) from Peaceful Valley lets you hose off your produce right inside before carrying it, soil-free, indoors.

(from $13) of traditional farmers’-market baskets provide good air flow to keep your harvest fresh.

This ($20) is so useful. Before you make tea or sachets out of your lemon verbena or lavender, you’ll need to dry the herbs, of course.

Herbs such as basil, mint, parsley, and sage dry well in single layers on a ($19); clean window screens also work. When fully dry, store in airtight containers.

When your crops just won’t quit, set up this —with sliding drawers—to handle the overflow (available in 6-drawer version, $179).

These ($50 for set of 2) are the perfect place to store your harvested potatoes, which like to breathe; let them do so in a nice cool spot.

This ($40) is perfect for beets, carrots, or turnips. Fill it with alternating layers of damp sawdust and root veggies, and store in a cool, dark place.

These airtight, BPA-free baby-food ($15) are perfect for freezing portions of homemade pesto.