Spring Into Action with the Proper Garden Tools and Accessories

Now that spring has sprung, it’s time to tend those gardens! Just be careful not to overextend your body into positions that have been dormant all winter. Gardening can require you to bend, lift, and twist in ways that can injure your back, knees, or other parts of your body. While garden tools can make your digging and planting easier, sometimes the use of tools encourages poor positioning or increases the chance of injury.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are an average of 10,543 strains and sprains per year due to gardening tools – you don’t want to be part of that number! You will notice an immediate difference with these ergonomic suggestions.

While there are many great ways to protect yourself while gardening, you will see some tools below that can help improve your posture, grip, and reduce pain to help keep you in the garden all season long.

To protect your back, try to use long-handled trowels, forks, cultivators, and hoes that have fist grips or other tools with more ergonomic handles. Hand joint pain can be reduced with tools that are easier to hold.

Squatting or bending over can be an almost-immediate back and knee killer. Consider investing in a stand-up weeder and using a reach/grabber to gather weeds and sticks. If you are going to be in the garden for long periods of time, think about getting a kneeler or garden seat. Or, to avoid bending so much, consider an elevated garden bed. Be careful moving heavy pots or bags of mulch. Try using a potted plant moving dolly or wagon instead.

Gardens are relaxing stress relievers; don’t let poor tools ruin your fun. If you aren’t sure what brand to buy, look for the Arthritis Foundation’s “Ease of Use” commendation on products. To learn more about physical therapy for weekend warrior injuries, click here or call (804) 764-1000 to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist who specializes in your condition.

Resources:

Easi Grip long reach garden tools
Easi Grip arm support cuff for trowel
Gardease hand trowel
Fiskers Stand Up Weeder
Reach/grabber tool
Gardener’s Supply kneeler/seat combo
Walmart pot mover

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