How Does Your Garden Grow?

Summer is here and it’s the time of year when everyone makes the most of their outdoor space and the garden comes into its own. A well tended manicured lawn and colourful flower beds are a joy to look at but as any gardener will tell you they don’t happen by themselves! 

The repetitious bending and long periods of time spent kneeling combined with the physical exertion of lifting and digging can cause stiffness and backache. Here are some of our top tips to combat these problems.

Top Ten Gardening Tips

1.      Don’t wear clothes that are tight or constrict your movement.

2.      Start off with lighter jobs to lesson the chance of muscle strains.

3.      Vary your activity; spend no more than 20-30 minutes on any one thing and take regular breaks.

4.      Get as close as possible to the things you are pruning; avoid overstretching to reach the area you are dealing with.

5.      Invest in some long handled secateurs to reach plants and bushes that are beyond normal reach.

6.      When digging, try not to bend or twist during the movement and alternate the foot you use to drive the spade into the ground.

7.      Raking is best achieved with short movements; don’t reach out too far.

8.      Use a mat and kneel when doing close weeding work or planting out.

9.      When potting up your plants, it is much better to do this at a table.

10.  If you are planning a trip to the local DIY store and buying heavy items, such as cement or gravel, buy smaller bags rather than one big bag as they are easier and safer to carry.

And if gardening isn’t your thing and you’re much more interested in the World Cup.

Don’t become a couch potato this summer……..

When watching t.v. change position regularly. If you are in the same position for prolonged periods your postural muscles will fatigue, and over a long period will be become weak.

Avoid sitting in a position where you have to twist your neck to view the screen.

Remember, sofa’s are for sitting and beds are for sleeping!