knees, back

[tru]

Any tips for gardening when your back is not happy about a lot of bending over and your knees are not happy about being knelt on?

[NEOhiodemocrat]

1. My fix is to sit :)

I sit in the row and scootch along as I weed or plant. It makes for some filthy gardening clothes but is much easier on my old body! Hope you fid something that works for you.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. I have a big pillow that I use now

when I must be on my knees----they don't take well to the hard ground anymore either.

I also change positions that I am working in more often and take more breaks than I did when I was young. I sit, kneel, stand, bend, and rest. I also do not do the same type of chore for a long time. I hoe a little, rake a little, weed a little...no more of those days when I shovelled all day long.

Hope you find a way to deal with all these aches and pains.

[TNDemo]

3. I use this.

http://www.mastergardening.com/vertex-garden-rocker-stool/

[Arkansas Granny]

5. That looks great. In fact, after checking out reviews on Amazon, I ordered one

for myself. Thanks for the link.

[TNDemo]

6. Hope it helps.

One word of caution. Some stupid person I know...used it on a slick surface and fell over. I was applying caulk to a spot just over the tub so put the seat in there to work. At one point I reached for something and it flew out from under me. Definitely didn't think that one through. I do use it in the house as well as outside when I am working on stuff at a low level. It was a gift from a friend and I use it a lot.

[Arkansas Granny]

7. Note to self: Do not use in bathtub. I hope you didn't get hurt.

[TNDemo]

8. Mostly just my pride.

Sore tush for awhile but very glad no real injuries.

[Arkansas Granny]

12. I ordered one of those for myself and it arrived yesterday . I haven't given it an extensive

workout yet, but I think it's going to be one of my favorite pieces of gardening equipment. Thanks for the tip. Even my knees thank you!

[TNDemo]

13. Your knees are very welcome.

I also have a foam piece that is for knees when I need to really get down low but I think you can get them anywhere.

[Arkansas Granny]

14. I have one of those, also, and while it does help the knees some, my biggest problem is

getting up and down.

[jwirr]

4. I have noticed a neighbor has taken the raised bed idea up to a level where he does not have to

bend down - just stands. It is standing on posts. My father also had a small stool that had wheels on it so he could set and roll himself along the rows.

[ginnyinWI]

9. weight training?

I am 60 and have finally started doing three 20 min sessions per week with handweights. And I also do about 90 min of yoga stretches per week, which includes things like sit ups and other strengthening exercises.

Pleased to say that my spring gardening is now easier--not getting as many sore muscles. You strengthen your stomach and arm muscles and it spares your back.

Probably not what you wanted to hear, right? I've been weight training like this for only about three months and it already makes a big difference. Nothing over 10 pounds, too--pretty easy stuff. The yoga I've been at for longer, and I also do aerobics.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

10. If you know any yoga

any thing that moves the spine opposite, like gentle back bends.
Cobra pose. Or let your spine drape over a large 54, 64 cm exercise ball.
Playing with foam rollers also. I also have an inversion table, and
use all of the above to counteract the forward bending so integral to
gardening

[Kolesar]

11. The Dewitt "diamond" scuffle hoe can be used to cultivate without bending over

Stand up straight and hold it like you would hold a corn broom: both thumbs are pointed up, it has a long handle that you hold close to your body.. The hoe has sharp edges on all four sides, and you move it around just under the surface of the soil. It is way faster than the hoe or cultivator that you hack down into the soil.


http://www.gardentoolcompany.com/diamond-hoe-by-dewit-tools/