Bahco Bypass Pruning Loppers ($64), NGP PRO Transplanting Garden Tool ($39.99), and the Fiskars Big Grip Cultivator ($9.99) make quick work of hard jobs.

Southampton - Any garden lover knows that with just a few simple well-made hand tools every job gets a bit easier. Experts agree that it's still a bit early to start thinking about spring plantings but it is the right time to take inventory of your most-used garden tools.

The first thing to start with is a good cultivator used to break up the soil and work in nutrients before you start any spring plantings. Fiskars, the company synonymous with scissors, makes a heavy duty, stainless steel Big Grip Cultivator ($9.99) with large tines and an oversized cushioned handle. Paul Rinaldi of Country Gardens (125 Snakehollow Road, Bridgehampton, 631-537-0007) says it will cut a clear, deep path into any garden bed with ease and not break or bend like other cultivators.

Yeoman's Soft Grip Secauteurs ($12.99) and Altas Garden Grip All Purpose work gloves ($11.99) come in handy.

A strong transplanting shovel with a sharp edge will make quick work of dry soil. Katie Cunningham of Lynch's Garden Center (175 North Sea Road, Southampton, 631-283-5515) suggests something ergonomic with a shorter length and round handle like the NGP PRO Transplanting Garden Tool ($39.99). The soft grip works for either left-handed or right-handed green thumbs.

Trimming up shrubs, ornamental grasses, and small trees can be done by hand this time of year with the right set of pruning shears. Yeoman creates a line of Teflon coated steel Soft Grip Secauteurs ($12.99) that should be in every garden tote. The secauters make quick work of shrubs. Bahco Bypass Pruning Loppers ($64) with long handles and sharp blades can reach branches without a ladder.

And don't forget the gloves, one of the most used yet underrated garden tools in the shed. A good pair of lightweight gloves will help you get a grip on your tools and let you work in the dirt without ruining your hands. Altas Garden Grip All Purpose Work Gloves ($11.99) come in a wide variety of colors and sizes to suit any job. These are not bulky leather gloves - they are designed with sweat wicking materials that let your hands breathe while keeping the dirt, chemicals, and bugs out. Best of all, they are machine washable.