Physical Demands of Gardening?

Question

When I was in my early 20s I rode motorcycles. I gave it up in my late 20s for the safer hobby of scuba diving. Now in my early 30s, I spend most of my free time gardening. It's more physically demanding than either of my old hobbies! After a weekend of very nice weather, my hands have blisters from using the bulb planter (I was wearing gloves) and my back kills from kneeling over my beds planting seeds and seedlings, and my body aches like after a very energetic workout even though I'm already in good shape physically and health-wise. Yet, I see 80 year old men and women easily gardening all the time. What are their old-timer secrets to making gardening less physically demanding?

Answer 1

I think the key is we accept our limits physically but never mentally. We garden smarter. I use tools that are ergonomically designed. 'Fine Gardening' has articles on good tool design. Jeff Taylor talks about the history, design, and use of garden tools.
PVC can fit on trowel handles to lengthen them, assisting in leverage. Some padding can be added from the bike shop. They now have foam and gel pads to use under the handle bar tape as well as foam bar end grips. This stuff was design for road use so it works in the garden just as well and now my tools all fit my hand. Weight is a problem for me so I have light versions for days when I hurt more.
I have redesigned the beds to be easier to reach. Not just that they are slightly raised from the path level but also in the lay out. Cottage gardening is all about function. The location of spigots, beds and sheds were set up to minimizes carrying or dragging in my case. I have easy to load carts and many trugs in various sizes. Boards for ramps and slings to carry help also.
I have installed spigots and an in ground watering system. I have trellised everything I can to cover every wall available. Then I mulch so weeds never get started in any mass.
I went from being a competitive cyclist to physically impaired so I had to relearn how to do all the things I once did in my garden. I admit I must have help to move really heavy or large items but mostly I work alone on about a quarter acre.
`` No occupation is as delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden. I am still devoted to the garden. But though an old man, I am but a young gardener." THOMAS JEFFERSON

Answer 2

Since I am only 52 this may not qualify as an "old-timer secrets". Stretch out first. Don't stay in the same position for an extended period of time. I don't wear gloves and don't get blisters. Use a Mantis to cultivate beds, then a 6" drop-forged trowel for bulb and small transplants. Good old shovel (long handle NEVER D-handle back breaker) for 1 gallon through 5 gallon plantings. Use your legs as lever fulcrums for turning the compost (6' x 3' x 3') piles (two working piles) not your back. Line the aisles of vegie garden (works with beds beautifully) with 7 to 9 layers of newspaper, cover with dirt (mulch in beds) serious weed reduction.

Want to trade cuttings? I can send you an Excel list. Contact my avatar. Just love playing in the dirt!

Answer 3

First, you will want thick leather gloves for your yard work from now on. I recently switched to them and kick myself for not doing it sooner! I got mine for less than $10 at Lowes and they are worth every cent!!!

There are also stools/seats that most gardeners sit on while they are gardening. They usually "rock" back and forth and move with you as your garden. You should not be bending over to garden - very bad for your back as you are now finding out! I am also in my 30's and know how you feel.

They also sell knee pads LOL I know it sounds goofy but if you are going to do a lot of kneeling I would seriously think about them as well. Who cares how they look!

What most of the "old timers" do is stretch and "warm up" before they go out to garden. I would recommend this to you as well. Do a light workout before you garden as it usually works for me, and then stretch again after you are done too.

Answer 4

Everybody's back kills them after gardening, you are using muscles you probably never used before. That is what I always say, and I garden. Keep feeling the gardening burn, it's all good!

Answer 5

Moderation is the key.Slow and steady.You probably went at the garden so you could finish it all in one day.We have plenty of time to do one thing a day.Good question.

Answer 6

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i hope this can help