Who said gardening is hard work?

Although we don't mind toiling in the topsoil while tending to our flowerbeds, vegetables, shrubs, and lawn, there's nothing easy about it, so forgive us if our skepticism was raised by a company named Easy Gardener, which claimed its products make gardening ... well ... easier. Cynicism, however, has no place in Mother Nature, so now it is we who offer our apologies to Easy Gardener Products, Ltd., of Madison, Ala.

Its 2006 lineup of tools, accessories, and fertilizers has us digging in the dirt with joyous fervor.

* Garden Defense Action Owl ($29.99) and Garden Defense Electronic Owl ($39.99) creatively control garden pests. The wind spins and bobbles the Action Owl's head to scare away intruders while three AA batteries power the Electronic Owl. When the latter creature senses threatening pests, a hoot sounds and its head bobbles. These owls offer humane and environmentally friendly protection.

* Ultra-Edge ($43.99 per roll) turns recycled plastic and wood into a sturdy, attractive border for flowerbeds. The natural finish blends well in any landscape while the 5 1/2" tall edging stops invading weeds and grass. Flexible Ultra-Edge conforms to most garden shapes and is available in 20' rolls. Each comes with five Easy Gardener Ultra-Stakes to hold edging in place.

* Bio Fabric Pegs ($2.79 per bag) are an earth friendly, bio-based alternative to metal and plastic stakes. Made from polylactide, a corn by-product, these fully biodegradable Pegs are strong enough to drive into hard ground yet flexible enough to resist shattering. Use them to secure landscape fabrics, burlap, and netting. Available in 10-count bags.

* Jobe's Drip Feeders make fertilizing potted plants a breeze. Simply twist off the cap and insert in the soil--a gradual release of balanced nutrients helps plants grow at optimum rates. Available in formulas for healthy and beautiful green foliage plants, flowering plants, and Poinsettias and Christmas Cacti. Feeders can be purchased individually ($1.29) or in a 5-pack ($5.99).

* Jobe's Hydro-Feeder ($19.99) meets outdoor watering and fertilizing needs year-round. The ergonomic sprayer has two chambers--one for fertilizing and one for watering usage alone--meaning the sprayer can stay attached whether washing a car, watering plants, or fertilizing. To fertilize outdoor plants, insert All Purpose Fertilizer Refills in the chamber, turn the control dial so water passes through the chamber, and spray flowering plants, shrubs, roses, and container gardens every two weeks.

For more on Easy Gardener, call 800-327-9462 or log on to www.easygardener.com.

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