10 gardenista must-haves

Bulbs, soaps and labels Spring has sprung and it's time to get dirty! Whether you're an aspiring green thumb or a seasoned gardener par excellence, we've dug up 10 of the coolest tools, accessories, decor items and all-star finds we know you'll love. Read on for the season's hottest must-haves, guaranteed to please the wild at heart.Aquilegia mix Bag O' Bulbs, $16.97botanus.comA bag of double-flowering Columbines is the perfect gift for a flower lover (yourself or someone else). These pretty perennials are just the things for a shady or semi-shaded spot in your garden. The pre-selected colours take the guesswork out of coordinating that seemingly thrown-together, casual vibe. Garden Maker's French Market Garden kit, $19.95 USD greenfeet.comAvid cooks and small-space gardeners will delight over Garden Maker's French Market Garden kit. You don't have to be a beginner to reach for the convenience of an all-in kit. This one's complete with seeds for 10 different veggies, including (mesclun mix, d'Avignon French radishes, baby cucumbers, babelle baby carrots, yellow pear tomatoes and other chi chi designer veggies), plus ID stakes and a marking pencil. (Also comes in Fragrant Flower and Culinary Herb gardens). Zinc plant markers, $18.50 per set of 25 (includes fade-resistant carbon pencil)addedtouchstore.comAvoid surprises by identifying all the specimen in your garden. These rustic-chic zinc plant markers are extra-tall and have roomy 3-inch nameplates so you can go nuts -- why write "Muscari" when you can write "Muscari armeniacum 'Early Giant'"?Earthbound Gardener bar, $4.99 per barrockymountainsoap.comBanish ground-in dirt from your hands and nails with a gentle exfoliating soap. The Earthbound Gardener bar uses wheat germ and pumice powder to slough off grime, while aloe vera, cocoa butter and beeswax moisturize. Yarrow extract helps heal scratches. Order several bars and share them with all your garden lovin' friends. Wardian Case. $58.80 leevalley.comThis glass-panelled Wardian Case provides stylish shelter to delicate plants needing high humidity conditions. The tempered glass panes and powder-coated metal frame create the perfect tabletop mini-greenhouse, indoors or out. Boots, books and gardening tools for adults and kids The Cook's Garden (McArthur & Co, 2003), $19.76chapters.indigo.caGet the scoop on delish gardening with The Cook's Garden, your how-to guide to planting your own backyard chef's garden. Growing tips, recipes and colour photos galore make this book from the editors of Canadian Gardening magazine an essential reference. Hunter Wellies, $89 USDmastergardening.comThe classic Hunter Wellington boot is perfect for those times when you're seriously mucking about in the yard and your trusty Crocs just won't cut it. These are the original handmade Wellies, and we love their town-and-country look: as perfect for a latte run as they are for shoveling topsoil on a rainy weekend!Kids Long Gardening Tools, $40gardenscape.caMake gardening family-fun time by getting your kids involved. The Kids Long Gardening Tools four-piece set includes a heavy-duty flat-head rake, shovel, leaf rake and push broom, all scaled to little folks (age 5 ). Unlike gardening tools from the dollar store, however, the metal-and-wood construction mean these babies perform like the real things and are perfect for handing down to the next generation of green thumbs in your family tree! (My five-year-old tried them out and loved them, which means she has fun, while letting me work!) Advanced hand tool set, $59rittenhouse.caThe right tools make all the difference and this stainless-steel-and-wood Advanced hand tool set from famed English toolmakers Burgon & Ball is tops. We're betting the versatile scoop, weeding fork, patio knife (for digging up those in-between-pavers weeds) and widget (great for transplanting or weeding in a rock garden) will see a lot of action all season long. Also: check out the Starter Set (same price) with tools suited to newbies. Tub Trug, from $12.95 eachveseys.comA large-capacity Tub Trug is essential for gardening: use it to haul soil and mulch (mix them together inside), compost, cut branches; store pea gravel or other supplies; and bring in your harvest of garden-fresh fruit or veggies. The UV-resistant fadeproof colours will put a smile on your face. Available in 26L and 42L sizes.