The right gardening tools make creating and maintaining your yard easier and faster. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute dug up this year's most innovative finds, evaluated them for performance and durability, and asked recreational gardeners and experts alike to test-drive how easily and well they handle their designated jobs.

BEST SHOES: A great choice for kicking around in the yard: comfortable, stylish, rubber-coated GardenGrips Nimbus gardening shoes ($65). Testers liked the high cut for blocking out splashes from the hose and the sole's traction for keeping them grounded on wet grass and mud.

BEST FOR HEAVY LIFTING: The ingeniously simple strap design of the PotLifter ($25) makes it a cinch to move large planters and rocks, branch-filled trash cans and big cubes of peat moss or mulch. While it requires two people, testers found it extremely easy to use and small to store.

BEST PRUNER: With Fiskars Florist Bypass Pruner ($8), testers snipped flowers and trimmed down plants in no time. The ambidextrous design satisfies lefties and switch-snippers, and the nonstick-coated blade means sap-laden stems don't gum up the works. Great for smaller clippings, these couldn't quite cut it on woody rose stems.

BEST SHOVEL: Lightweight and perforated, the Toolite Sifting Shovel ($72.88) earned raves for how well it sifted dirt and peat together, and scooped out and drained muddy earth and clay. The nonstick coating improves ease of use and keeps it protected from rust.

BEST TWO-FOR-ONE TOOL: The hardworking Fiskars Lop & Saw ($35) is a two-in-one tool: The lightweight pruner hacks through branches up to 1 1/2 inches thick with minimal arm fatigue, and the double-edged saw, for larger branches, is sheathed in one of its handles. Some testers thought the saw was tricky at first, but all liked the compact design.

BEST GLOVES: The Bionic Gloves Blooms Gardening Gloves' ($30) silicone grip let testers pick up the smallest clippings and yank out weeds without dirtying their hands. While the slim fit means better dexterity, some testers felt the gloves were a tight squeeze to get on. Also, repeated washes caused fading.

BONUS: SOLAR LIGHTING: Once you've cleaned up (or created) your garden, make it easy to see with gentle lighting. Illuminating a walkway or the edges of a patio adds a decorative touch to your home and ambience to an evening party. For a quick and easy impact, consider using solar-powered lights.

Their pluses:

n You don't need to hard-wire anything. Simply place solar-powered lamps in the ground, and they charge all day from the sun to give off a nighttime glow.

n Solar lights cost nothing to operate, but are not as bright as hardwired ones.

n You get an added safety benefit along a walkway. For best results, place lights close enough so that their illumination overlaps. In the Good Housekeeping Research Institute's test of six for ease of installation, light output, durability and style, the Portfolio Outdoor 2-Pack Solar Pewter Carriage Lights ($45 for two) fared best.

On another matter

It may be wise to stop at six whole eggs a week. A recent analysis of the diets of more than 56,000 men and women in the Physicians' Health and Women's Health studies found that eating an egg a day -- or seven or more per week -- raised the risk of diabetes by 77 percent in women. The danger appears to be tied to the cholesterol in the yolks, which may impair glucose metabolism, explains Harvard researcher and study author Dr. Luc Djousse. "If you're at risk for diabetes, or worried about it, limit intake to six or fewer whole eggs a week," he advises.

Insect repellants

Here, your backyard options -- all EPA-registered or generally recognized as safe for kids, pets and the planet when used properly:

Allethrin Lamps: Typically, 93 percent to 99 percent of mosquitoes and sand flies steer clear of a 15-foot area for up to four hours on each refill mat. Keep an eye on the flame version, especially around children and pets.

Geraniol Candles and Diffusers: Five times better than citronella, it repels more than 80 percent of mosquitoes and 70 percent of sand flies for up to 10 feet. With candles, the open flame poses a risk. While most people find the smell pleasant, some won't like it.

Metofluthrin Diffuser: On average, one disc gives 84 percent to 100 percent protection against mosquitoes for up to 12 hours. It's not shown to work against biting insects other than mosquitoes.

Bti Briquettes: After adding them to standing water, mosquito population is cut more than 90 percent in 48 hours and up to 85 percent for 28 days. While these will significantly reduce the mosquitoes that hatch, they don't repel any remaining ones.

Garlic Liquids and Granules: More than 90 percent of mosquitoes stay away for up to one month after. May also work against ticks, fleas and blackflies. The initial strong odor might offend sensitive guests. Also, the more pungent liquid formula requires dilution.

Recalls alert

The following products and vehicles were recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Unless otherwise indicated, discontinue use of the products immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information about the products, call the manufacturer or CPSC's toll-free hotline, (800) 638-2772. Only some cars or trucks recalled are affected. Contact a dealer for your model to see if it is included in the recall. The dealer will tell you what to do.

Signature Gourmet 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemakers and Kitchen Gourmet 10-Cup Coffeemakers sold at Walgreens from June 2004 through March 2009 for $10 to $20. The coffeemakers may ignite because of an electrical failure. Consumers should immediately unplug the coffeemakers and contact Atico International USA for a full refund. For more information, call Atico international USA at (877) 546-4835 or visit aticousa.com.

1997-'03 Buick Regal, 2000-'03 Chevrolet Impala, 1998-'99 Chevrolet Lumina, 1998-'03 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 1998-'99 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-'03 Pontiac Grand Prix: Drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. If the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite and spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond, causing engine compartment fire. Dealers will remove the spark plug wire retention channel and install new spark plugs free of charge. Call Chevrolet at (800) 630-2438.