Last week we talked about the five new plant varieties that have won 2014 Green Thumb Awards presented by the Direct Gardening Association (formerly called the Mailorder Gardening Association). This week we look at the tools. The winning products are judged on their uniqueness, technological innovation, ability to solve a gardening problem or provide a gardening opportunity, and potential appeal to gardeners.

If you are familiar with Mel Bartholomew's book, "Square Foot Gardening," you know that it is a successful way to maximize the yield of vegetables in a small garden. Gardens Alive! has made it even easier to grow square foot gardens with the proper spacing by introducing seed mats. Each mat has the correct quantity of seed to cover the one square foot unit as described by Bartholomew.

The mat material is designed to decompose quickly as the seed germinates and starts to grow. The paper-like material protects the seed and keeps moisture around the seed to enhance germination. The seeds are spaced within the mat as they should be when planting them in a raised bed, container or garden, so they don't have to be used in an actual square foot garden. Six vegetable seed varieties available: Beet Mix, Envy Carrot, Mixed Basil, Mixed Salad, Onions and Spinach for $3.45 from Gardens Alive!. www.gardensalive.com.

If you have limited space for a garden, you can try planting in containers. It is easier if the container maintains a correct water level with minimal effort. Taking the concept of low maintenance and ease of use even further, the GrowBox container features a cut-out, self-fertilizing cover that shows gardeners where and what to plant. The GrowBox Support Cage is made from fiberglass support rods that contain an elastic rope built inside so the staking kit practically assembles itself. Just stretch it out a little and the rods slip into the metal connectors. The support cage can be used for tomatoes, peas, cucumbers and other vining plants.

Both the GrowBox and the Support Cage were Green Thumb Award winners. If your local garden center doesn't have them in stock, check out the Garden Patch at www.AGardenPatch.com.

Does your patio get too much sun or does it catch too much rain? In either case, gardening in containers can be hard as the plants either bake or drown. The Brolly was developed after years of frustration with container plantings that were continuously exposed to intense weather conditions such as strong winds, scorching sun, and endless rains. The Brolly is a sunbrella that functions as a protective canopy and can be installed in an upright position or can be pitched in any direction. The Brolly was tested in wind tunnel units and can withstand winds of 50 mph. The canopies are treated with UV protection, and the metal parts are rustproof. The kits are available in small (for pots 13 inches deep or smaller), medium (for pots 14 to 20 inches deep) and large (for pots deeper than 20 inches) for $38.00, $40.00, and $42.00 respectively www.brollyusa.com

The last winner is the Snip-n-Drip soaker system. It provides patio container plants or vegetable garden rows with the slow, deep watering they need to thrive, ensuring a successful harvest and bountiful blooms. The Snip-n-Drip Patio Container Watering System sells for $29.95 for up to five planters from Gardener's Supply Company. www.gardeners.com

Email questions to Jeff Rugg at [email protected]. To find out more about Jeff Rugg and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.