Your gardening answers; Top picks for gardening gifts.

• Position: Weeklies

'I am looking for a gardening gift for a special friend. What would you suggest? What is your favorite tool?''

My favorite tool often depends on at hand. If I were researching a job, I might review "The Tool Book'' by William B Logan from Smith & Hawken, as it reminds me of the incredible array of supportive tools and devices available to assist me.

Then again, I like a good-fitting work glove. It may be made of cowhide, pigskin, deerskin or goatskin, depending on the job. Does the task require the gloves to be waterproof, winter-warm, gauntlet-length to protect from thorns, or safety-inspired? My preference for general yardwork is a standard cowhide fitted glove.

A simple tool so practical that it is always undervalued and overused is a Tubtrug. It is a tough, durable, flexible-colored polyethylene tub, available in sizes from 31/2 to 20 gallons. It is...