Injury-Free Gardening

Injury prone gardening habits such as getting on your knees and hands to plant, or bending over to water them can create havoc or discomforts on your body.

Some helpful tips to sidestep the mishaps:

• It's easier on your back than bending too low to the ground when you plant your garden in raised beds and containers.
• To prevent blisters, put pads on the handles of your tools with grip tape or foam rubber which make them easier to handle as well.
• Don't do the same task in the same position for too long. This can cause muscle and joint pain or repetitive-motion injuries. Before you start gardening, walk or stretch first.
• Reduce your exposure to pesticides such as adding garlic plants which can repel bad bugs such as aphids.
• Do your gardening early or late in the day, when the sun is less intense. Avoid sun damage by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and using sunscreen protection.