Plant and rake without the ache

With this lovely weather many of us have been pottering in the garden.

Here are some tips to avoid injury.

Stretch before you start

Loosen up to prevent injuries to your joints and muscles. Take a walk... even on the spot to get your body moving.

The right tools... the right moves!

Make sure you kneel to plant rather than bending. Change positions frequently. The right equipment and tools can help tremendously. 

Bend your knees to lift with ease

When you need to bend, use your hips as a hinge rather than bending at the back. Bend your knees to lower and carry the load close towards you. 

Take a break so you won't ache

As a rule of thumb every 20-30 minutes you need to stop. This is a good time to grab a drink of water and stretch.