Tips and Techniques for Easier Gardening

Gardening is great exercise and the pleasure of tending plants outdoors is valuable mood medicine as well. But let's face it, all that digging, shoveling, hoeing, weeding, and lugging takes its toll. Here are some tips and techniques to improve comfort and reduce the chance of injury.

Use the Proper Position

When using hand tools, keep your wrist as close as possible to its neutral position, the position it's in when you're not using your hand. If your wrist is bent in any other direction, you have less strength and are more prone to injury. A wrist support in the form of a splint, brace, or glove prevents your wrist from bending and doesn't inhibit finger movement. But why not choose implements that are designed to keep your wrist in the proper position?

The Science of Ergonomics

You may have heard the term "ergonomic" used to describe tools or kitchen utensils. Ergonomics is the applied science that deals with how our bodies interact with tools and tasks. Tools with relatively large handles, for example, are usually easier on the hands than ones with skinny handles. Similarly, cushiony, textured grips require less effort to hold, and reduce or eliminate blisters.

If you'll be cutting bouquets of flowers...


or planting dozens of bulbs, using the proper tool will make the job easier and more enjoyable.

Choosing properly sized tools is important, too. Pruners can be particularly hard on the hands. If you've ever used pruners whose handles, when fully opened, are too wide for your hands you know that they make every cut a chore. Look for pruners with padded handles and ratcheting mechanisms that use gears to increase power. Shovels, rakes, and hoes that are too long or too short can strain even the strongest backs. Look for tools that are comfortable to use or are adjustable to suit the user and job.

Select the Proper Tool

If you have a tiny garden or a few potted plants, you can probably get away with "making do" with the tools you havve. But if you're an avid gardener who spends hours outdoors, do yourself a favor and make sure you have the right tool for the job. For example, if you'll be cutting dozens of flowers for bouquets, use lightweight floral snips rather than bulky pruners. If you're planting hundreds of bulbs, a bulb planter will require less effort than a trowel. If you're headed to the garden for an extended weeding session, use a kneeling pad.

Be Prepared

"Weekend warrior" gardeners are most prone to injury. Heading out for a day of heavy digging without proper preparation can spell disaster. At best, it is discouraging to wake up to serious aches and pains the next morning. Be realistic in your gardening goals and take plenty of breaks during heavy work. Stretch for a few minutes before every gardening session and take "stretch breaks" every half hour. Your water bottle is a tool as essential as your trowel; dehydration increases the likelihood of injury.

Gardening is a joy, but at times it's just plain hard work. Making it as easy as possible with the right tools and techniques just makes sense.