QUICK-DRAW TOOLS
Plant wranglers
No more digging with dirty gloves into overfilled garden apron pockets in search of a seeds or a ready plant marker. The Boulder hardware company Nite Ize conceived the durable and water-resistant Cool Garden Tool Holster to keep tools organized and close at hand. It clips to a belt, waistband or gardening bucket, and there’s enough room in it for a cellphone or MP3 player. About $17 online at or at McGuckin Hardware in Boulder.
WORRY-FREE WATERING
Moisture meter
Like a mother hen hovering over her chicks, Rocky Mountain gardeners sometimes worry about whether their plants are getting enough water. A rain gauge to the rescue. This one is digital and tracks rainfall over a 10-day period, which can allow green thumbs to more accurately prepare and respond to weather conditions. Other features include a self-emptying rain cup, a digital clock, and wireless transmission range of up to 100 feet. About $45 at .
