Tips to save time and wear (on you) when gardening
Here are some tips on how to make gardening easier at any age. This is also good advice for gardeners who are just looking to save time on maintenance.
Sources are horticulturist Zannah Crowe, Master Gardeners volunteer chairwoman Ann Loper and garden blogger Casey Lynn Lawrence.
Do warm-up exercises before you start working.
When working, use larger muscles and joints.
Work from a sitting position to reach the ground or into raised beds.
Maintain upright position for standing tasks.
Switch tasks frequently, and change positions often.
When you kneel, always use a kneeling pad.
Have water with you while you work.
Have a cell phone with you at all times.
If a pot — or any other object — is too heavy, don’t try to pick it up. Know your limitations and work within them.
Get pots that are light so you can move them easily. Make sure they have drainage holes on the bottom. There are also pots available that are insulated which will let you keep them outside longer.
Put pots on wheels if possible.
Put trellises in your pots for plants to grow upward, making pruning and picking easier.
Locate containers where rain will reach them, saving you the trouble of watering.
When you do water plants, your hose should reach all the way to the area where you need to water. That way you won’t have to haul heavy watering cans.
Use self-watering containers or an irrigation system.
Select plants that don’t have to be pruned often.
Practice vertical gardening, as it decreases stress on the back, hips and knees that comes from bending over. It also reduces the need to weed, and you will have fewer insect problems.
When adding a new garden, start small. Start with pots so you don’t have to dig up large areas of grass.
Stone patios can cause tripping for some individuals. When adding or redoing a patio, consider a flat surface.
Make sure pathways are wide enough for a wheelbarrow to get through, which is also wide enough for a walker or wheelchair. Extra-large gardens should have pathways that can accommodate vehicles if needed.
Weed after watering so the ground is easier to work in.
Use mulch in your gardens to cut down on weeds and preserve water.
Store tools close to your garden.
Use a cart to haul equipment, and push rather than pull it.
Choose plants that grow naturally in your area because they adapt to your soil, rather than planting something you like that doesn’t fit your soil and will need constant maintenance.
Plant perennials that mound rather than those that spread, as they require less maintenance.
Avoid planting flowers that spread profusely, unless you have an area where you can let them grow wild.
If necessary, consider replacing herbaceous plants (annuals and perennials) with woody plants, as they require less maintenance.
Make sure plants you add to your garden fit the area you put them in. If they end up growing too much, you’ll have to spend time pruning them later.
Consider using a portable workstation. Some even let you sit while you deadhead and then flip over to form a kneeling pad. Some even have arms on them to help gardeners stand back up.
Find a pruner that fits your hand. A lot of pruners are too big for a woman’s hand but fine for a man’s hand.
Use watering cans with multiple hand positions for better maneuverability and control. If your watering can is large, fill it half full so it’s not too heavy.
Purchase battery-operated power equipment such as weed whackers and push mowers. These are extra helpful for those with shoulder issues.