Work smarter in the garden

Minnesota summers are too short—especially if you're a gardener! Making the most of a limited season to make your garden shine can sometimes cause aches and pains, even lingering injuries. You can prevent gardening injuries:

Plan

• Think about the planting you will do and how much maintenance your garden will need; consider whether annuals or perennials will be easier to maintain.
• Determine where your water supply is located. If you're carrying a heavy watering can from place-to-place, consider a hose that is able to reach all areas needing water.

Protect

• Use tools with padded and curved handles, and keep your wrist in a neutral position.
• Use spring-loaded pruners and clippers to decrease the force felt by your hands and arms.
• Sit on a stool rather than bending over to tend your garden. Being closer to the work can greatly reduce back strain.
• Vary your tasks. Repeated movements can cause inflammation, pain and swelling.
• Wear gloves.
• Keep your arms covered to avoid cuts and bites.
• Store tools with the blade edge down.

Work smarter

• Make pulling weeds easier by pre-watering the area. This makes weeds come out pretty effortlessly.
• Planting in raised garden beds decreases the strain on your back. 
• Use a basket or cart to keep your tools in and to conveniently move them.