The Grounded Gardener: These boots are made for gardening

We ask little of our garden footwear -- just to protect, keep warm (or cool), dry and out of harm's way.

We need our boots, clogs or duckies to be sturdy and reliable, but beyond that, the requirements change according to the task, time and season. Consider how and why you wear your footgear before you decide what to put on.

Good boots or clogs are not cheap -- or if they are, they don't last long. Invest in a sturdy pair and you'll get many years of work out of them.

	Bogs, which have handles to help pull them on, start at about $85.

Boots require a commitment. You won't want to take the time to pull them on if you are going out only to cut a handful of thyme or chase a squirrel from the birdfeeder. You want boots when there is long-term work to be done, and the weather and ground are not the best.

Winter pruning, dealing with the five yards of compost you just got delivered, setting a new patio -- these are boot tasks. They provide traction, warmth and keep you dry.

Wellingtons, the traditional British boot for both gardeners and the horsey set, start at $60. Rubber uppers and soles make them easy to clean and they stand up to any task. And they're available in tall or midcalf heights.

Wellies have thrown off their staid image and now have a line -- through the Royal Horticulture Society -- of bright floral patterns for women and children. Even the traditional style Wellies now come in fuchsia, lilac and iris colors.

Joining Wellies, you will find an array of boot brands. Bogs, which come in both high and midcalf heights (starting at about $85), are available from Gardener's Supply. For those who find the dragging on of boots to be tiresome, Bogs have handles to help you get hold and yank them on.

Bogs come in calm colors -- brown and black -- but also are available in a floral design, adding a bit of whimsy to your garden attire, which I'm sure includes sweats and a flannel shirt.

Lined boots, such as the The Scrub from Muck Boots, are comfortable. But remember that wearing heavy socks with your working footwear can drive you up into another size of shoe.

Look for boots or clogs that have a steel shank through the insole. That strengthens the shoe, and makes it (and you) more stable. Digging is easier, too, when you can push the shovel into the soil with a steel-enforced foot.

If boots are the only outdoor gear your feet have, you'll end up with muddy house slippers, because you won't want to take the time to pull on the boots for short tasks.

Need to tie down a whipping rose cane during a rain or windstorm? Slip your feet into clogs or duckies in a flash. Each style has its merits.

Clogs have no backs, so your heel is exposed to the elements. This is OK for some, but I don't want to have to change my muddy, wet socks as soon as I walk back indoors. Plus, clog wearers know how easy it is to take a step back and find -- after you've set your foot down in the mud -- that you've left your clog behind.

Clogs are fabulous good-weather garden shoes. Slip in and out at the drop of a hat. Run out to get the paper, do a little weeding along the way. Go around the garden collecting alpine strawberries for your cereal.

There are lots of clogs from which to choose: Muck shoes and Bogs clogs begin at about $40. Sloggers, which come in a collection of lively colors, are about $20.

My slip-on of choice is the duckie (also called ducky boots or rubber mocs). The rubber uppers and gumshoe soles are easy to clean. My heels are protected, yet the shoes are easy on, easy off. They last for years, and are a bargain at about $60.

During the rainy season, it's best to have something that washes off easily and can withstand standing in puddles, but when good weather comes, it's good to let in some air.

In summer, no one wants to stomp around in rubber boots with no air circulation, so we turn to breathable fabrics, such as the Muck shoes (starting at $45), or something with holes in it, such as Crocs. Flip-flops are an attractive alternative, but not a good idea if you are using sharp implements.