Gardening is a great way to stay
active outdoors from spring through fall. It is an activity that
stimulates our bodies and minds. While it may seem like a lot of
work, there are several ways to make gardening easier and more
enjoyable.
Raise Your Garden
Gardening can require a lot of stooping and bending, which can take
a lot of the fun out of it. Do not despair! There are a variety of
gardening helpers to take the stooping out of gardening. One method
is to raise your garden. You can build a raised bed garden to
elevate your plantings. Another option is to grow your vegetables
and flowers in large weatherproof pots. These pots can be placed
close to the house, making it easier for you to pick and harvest.
Sit While You Garden
If raising the garden does not work for you, consider sitting while
you garden. Garden scooters, which come in a variety of styles and
price ranges, are perfect for this. These scooters are on wheels, so
they can be easily pulled out to the garden. Most have on-board
storage, allowing you to take all of your gardening supplies,
including your seat, out to the garden.
Use Long-Handled Tools
Another way to reduce the bending and stooping is to use
long-handled gardening tools instead of those short-handled ones.
Look for tools that are ergonomically designed with lightweight
handles. These tools can make gardening much more comfortable and
less strenuous.
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Use a Multi-Wheeled Cart
Carrying supplies to the garden bed can be back-breaking work. To
make this easier, use a multi-wheeled cart, which is more stable
than a single-wheeled wheelbarrow. These carts roll more easily over
uneven ground, making the task of transporting supplies much simpler
and safer.
Gardening doesn't have to be back-breaking work, so let’s garden
smarter, not harder.
[Dough Gucker, University of Illinois
Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator]
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