Not everyone is blessed with a green thumb. Some of us can use all the help we can get. So we turned to the world of high technology to find ways to simplify chores and have a greener, more beautiful garden. Or maybe just cool gadgets. Options abound. How about letting a robot cut your grass while you enjoy a cool one loafing in the porch swing? "It's our smartest, highest-tech model," said John Tarvin, marketing manager at Kyodo America, supplier of the robotic mower featured here. "It will do an acre right out of the box." Another gadget that caught our eye was a solar-powered birdbath and fountain. That struck us as environmentally friendly in this day and age of carbon footprints. We know that good soil is key to having a healthy and productive garden. The electronic meter featured here checks your soil's pH and moisture, and the level of light your plants are receiving - among other things. Water is key, too. A dual water timer will allow you to water two plots from the same hose bib - and at different times of the day. "You're customizing your own type of (watering) cycle," Debra Jaros, operations manager at Claber Inc., said of her company's electronic water timer. Garden Groom Midi Hedge Trimmer This hedge trimmer will collect your clippings. It uses a rotary cutting blade that cuts and shreds the clippings using a scissorlike action. An onboard container will hold the clippings, which can be tossed on a compost pile. The trimmer is designed to cut all types of hedge. * Price: $149.95
Brookstone Mosquito Trap Rather than you swatting mosquitoes, this gizmo disposes of them electronically. It uses a mix of attract- ants - heat, CO2 and a "safe" chemical - to draw in the bloodsuckers. Once drawn toward the trap, an ultraviolet light disrupts their vision. A fan sucks the critter into the trap, which disposes of the bug. Can be used indoors and out. * Price: $149.95
Rapitest Electronic 4 Way Analyzer #1880 This meter allows you to monitor the condition of soil pH, soil moisture, light intensity and the combined levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. To use, poke the meter into a soil sample and move the selector to the test you want performed. Light is measured by putting the installed photocell at leaf level and pointing it at the light source. A chart tells you how all your readings stack up against desired levels. * Price: $34.99 San Remo Solar-powered Birdbath Fountain Birds visiting your yard can splash around in this environmentally friendly fountain, which doesn't require electricity. The pump that powers the fountain gets its juice from the sun. If the sun isn't shining, the pump stops and the fountain becomes a regular birdbath - minus the spouting water. The fountain is made from a resin. The lighter weight makes it easier to move. * Price: $249.95
Claber Aquadue Duplo Water Timer You can water two separate plots automatically and for different periods with this dual timer - and do it all from one hose bib. That way, you can water two plots requiring different watering cycles. The timer can be programmed to provide up to three starts a day for each line. Recommended for larger gardens, greenhouses and small farms. * Price: $124.99
LawnBott LB 3500 Robotic Mower What better way to mow the lawn than to let a robot do the work? You can program this one for when to cut the grass using a Blue- tooth compatible cell phone or PDA. A perimeter cable emits a signal that defines the mowing area. The robot will cut an acre "out of the box." It will mow a straight line until it bumps into a tree or other object. Then turn. When done, the robot returns to its charging station to rejuice. * Price: $3,249
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