Gardening Tools Grow More Sophisticated

? A hand-held rake is a practical way to clean your yard when debris collects, especially if it is an ergonomically designed lawn and leaf rake. The Smart Handle Adjustable Rake by Delta Ergo is the first ergonomically certified adjustable rake, according to independent evaluating firm Ergonauts: Performance Technologists LLC. It has proven to increase raking productivity by 25 to 35 percent and is a state-of -the-art, energy efficient lawn and leaf rake. This rake sports an angular, aluminum handle with foam grips that any size person can use in a standing position, decreasing stress to lumbar and neck parts of the spine. The handle automatically positions the user in a way that the rake will cover more ground per sweep, while decreasing strain on the shoulders and lower back.

It has fiberglass tines for added strength, and their width can be adjusted to cover 8 1/2 to 22 inches. The flexibility of this lawn and leaf rake, in both its innovative handle design and the ability to adjust it to various widths, makes it superior to the straight wooden handles that have been the standard. Available on the Web at http://www.deltaergo.com for $29.99 plus shipping and handling or by calling 1-800-435-7338.

? ScareCrow is a state-of-the-art wildlife repeller from Contech Electronics in Canada. It is designed to emit a short but startling water blast from a motion-activated automatic sprinkler. You can mount it in the garden and connect it to a hose. The power source for the sensor is a nine-volt battery. The downside is that you can't use it in freezing temperatures. The upside is that the plants get watered whenever deer, raccoons, cats, dogs or other animals wander through, and it should startle all but the most stoic of animals. Available on the Web at http://www.scarecrowinfo.com ; in Northern Virginia at Betty's Azalea Ranch, Oakton Wild Bird Center and Vienna Aquarium; and in Maryland at Beltsville Pond Mart, Strosniders Hardware and Ace Hardware. Suggested retail price is $89.

? How about keeping squirrels out of your bird feeders? Contech's SquirrelStop Automatic Spinning Squirrel Deterrent is a battery-powered unit with a hook that holds a bird feeder. When it's grabbed or jumped onto by a squirrel, it will spin the squirrel off of the feeder. In theory, when the squirrel has tried enough, it will go on to less dizzying food sources. It's not activated by the weight of most birds. The food and feeder together must weigh no more than 10 pounds. Retails for $49. Available at garden centers and hardware stores. For more information, call 1-800-767-8658.

Joel M. Lerner is president of Environmental Design in Capitol View Park, Md. E-mail or contact him through his Web site,http://www.gardenlerner.com.