Gosh, I’m sore.
That’s the Monday morning takeaway after spending two glorious spring days in the garden cleaning up winter’s mess. I cut branches, dug holes, moved a rock, played with my fish pond and planted a shrub. The days started early; I’m up with the robins hours before sunrise. It’s tough to work by flashlight, but the tradeoff is, no one saw me walking around the yard in my bathrobe and garden slippers. And, yes, there is such a thing as garden slippers.
Below are tips for painless gardening. A few are mine; others are from are a compilation from physical therapists and other healthcare experts. A good source for specifics is Hinge Health.
Happy Gardening,
Marie Elium
- Invest in tools that make your work easier. Instead of raking out flower beds each spring (which can damage plants), use a battery-operated leaf blower.
- When possible, used raised beds in containers for gardening to save on back strain.
- Keep tools within reach; stretching can injure muscles and cause falls.
- Use equipment the way it’s intended. Climbing on a five-gallon bucket may be convenient, but it’s worth a few minutes to grab a stepladder for the job.
- Set a goal and stick to it. Weed for one hour, set the timer on your phone, and take a break. Or, have one or two projects each day and then stop. Unless you’re working at a greenhouse, gardening is a hobby, not a job.
- Lift with your legs, not your back.
What are some of your favorite gardening hacks? Let us know and we’ll include them in an upcoming newsletter. Email me at [email protected].
