Invest in gloves that will keep your hands soft and smooth, give good dexterity in the garden and last through frequent washings. Look for gloves that let your hands breathe because too much perspiration on the skin of a gloved hand can be just as detrimental.

Here are some you may consider:

* A gardening glove for early season and wet garden work, the Ultimate Gardening Glove is waterproof with a seamless cotton liner and textured coating. Long cuffs provide extra protection. Other gloves by Ultimate Goods include the Hot Tamale Glove that's warm and waterproof and the Ultimate Summer Glove that's features a mesh weave that breathes. Visit Ultimate's web site: www.ultimategoods.com or call 1-888-880-1997.

* Cool Grip Gloves by Garden Works have a snug cotton lining with latex on the fingers and palms and an open back for heat reduction. The Wonder Glove is water and chemical proof with high cuffs that protect the forearms and limit debris from slipping inside the glove. This glove is ideal for water gardening and pond maintenance.

Cost: $8-$20. Available in local garden shops.

3-IN-1 PLANTING SHOVEL. Now there's no need to tote a shovel, a leveling device and a yard stick to your planting sites. All three of those tools are now incorporated into one handy-dandy implement, the new 3-in-1 shovel by True Temper. The round-point shovel or garden spade features a long handle with a 36-inch measuring device and an encapsulated T-shaped level. The shovel's measuring and level features also come in handy when you are putting in a new mailbox or fence posts. Cost: about $12. Available locally.

GIFTS AND GADGETS