Tips for Smart Gardening
It’s the last day of March, which means spring weather is just around the corner! This also means people are getting outside more frequently and likely thinking about tending to their gardens. Gardening can be a pretty labour intensive job, so I wanted to share with you the best tips on how to lower your risk of hurting yourself while working in your garden this spring.
Tip #1: Warm up: Gardening can be strenuous on the body, requires endurance and often we get ourselves into awkward positions. Therefore, a warm up should be included before you garden just like any other physical activity you perform. I suggest walking 5-10 minutes to get your heart rate up, followed by movements that replicate the act of gardening, like squatting or reaching.
Tip #2: Lift Smart: Always lift objects from a squat position. Do NOT bend at your waist! Smart lifting also means using both your hand and holding the item as close to your body as possible. Wheelbarrows can also be very helpful in lifting and moving objects around the yard.
Tip #3: Take Breaks: As mentioned previously, gardening often puts us in some awkward positions. For this reason I advise setting a timer on your phone to remind you to take breaks every 30 minutes of so. This will prompt you to get out of certain positions that you may have stayed in for too long. Make sure to stretch and drink some water during these breaks.
Tip #4: Kneeling Smart: Using kneepads or cushions are a great option if you are going to be kneeling on the ground for any length of time. It will take the pressure off your knees and allow you to work more comfortably.
Tip #5: Ergonomic Tools: Tools with long handles can help decrease the amount of bending needed for weeding and planting. This will reduce neck and back strain. There are also specific tools that are curved to help take pressure off hands and wrists.
I hope you have found these tips for smart gardening helpful. Feel free to share your own gardening tips for others to benefit from in the comment section below!
