Avoid back pain when working in your yard or garden.
BAD BACKS
Back problems affect people of all ages and can make gardening a painful experience. By following these few simple tips can make gardening easier on the lower back and may prevent problems in the first place.
Garden Layout
- Create raised beds to eliminate bending. Use trailing plants to soften walls.
- Keep beds narrow to avoid stretching.
- Avoid bare patches that can invite weeds. Grow easy maintenance ground covers that will suppress weeds.
- Grow plants in light weight containers, they are easy to move around they avoid bending and believe it or not they are all the rage!
Tools
- Use long handled tools for digging, cultivating and weeding.
- Use trimmers with handle extensions like those found in our “wolf Garten” line of tools.
- Holster your pruners to avoid bending over for them.
- Keep pruners and loppers sharp this will put less pressure on your shoulders and back.
- Try garden kneelers and rockers.
No Dig Method
- This method of gardening involves spreading light weight potting soil, compost and fertilizer on the surface of a flower or vegetable bed. It’s ideal for gardeners that can’t stand the thought of double digging the soil is soft and easy to plant.
Always allow time to do some stretching exercises before lifting or doing major gardening task, and drink plenty of water prior to gardening.