Here’s a possible gardener’s wish list for the New Year:• Nice gardening gloves - especially the flexible kinds that rose thorns don’t penetrate - or nice-fitting leather gloves.• Knee pads or knee benches for gardeners to make close work less of a pain.#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');• A well-made spading fork or shovel.• Cast-aluminum hand tools or specially designed “ergonomic” tools for less muscle strain.• A greenhouse or a good cold frame (could be homemade).• High-quality loppers or hand pruners.• Gift certificates to garden centers.• A soil thermometer or moisture meters with 12-inch probes.• Q Knot reusable cable ties for staking tomatoes or trellises.• Manual or electric water timer. This device can be attached to any faucet, and automatically shuts off water after a set amount of time.• Water bubbler with flow control, or other interesting sprinklers.• Corona Quick Tool Sharpener, a pocket-sized tool for sharpening pruners, shears, blades.• Floating row covers - lightweight blankets to put over vegetables to capture warmth and protect plants. May be available from the Extension office in February/March.• Heavier row covers for pot protection from cold winter weather. We have some now at the Extension office at a sale price.• A Hori Hori Knife, a transplant from Japan that’s part trowel and part knife. Also, good for dispatching slugs.• Folding pruning saws. Fiskers, Barnel or Corona are good brands.• LED headlamp for gardening or locating slugs at night (if you are so inclined).• The market has a number of lithium battery-powered chainsaws, pole pruners and weed whackers.• A good insect, mushroom or weed identification book.Chip Bubl works at Oregon State University Extension. For more information, call 503-397-3462, or email chip.bulb@oregonstate.edu. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });