No matter how pretty your garden looks, if it leaves you with aches and pains every time you have to work in it, your garden won’t be a source of joy to you.

Here are some tips on how to keep gardening from taking a toll on your body:

  • Before you buy a tool, be sure to practice the motions you’ll be doing with it in your garden. The tool should allow you to keep your body in a neutral position that doesn’t require you to bend or twist uncomfortably. The handle should be the right length, the materials shouldn’t be too heavy and the tool grip should be comfortable.
  • Know what kind of return policy the store or catalog has on tools before you buy them. You should be able to return a tool if it winds up not being comfortable for you.
  • Look for ergonomic tools designed to be especially comfortable, particularly if you have arthritis or another painful condition. If you’re using a tool that doesn’t fit your hand comfortably, you’re going to use three times more energy for tasks than you normally would. This can cause extra pain and fatigue in your hands if they’re already sore. Many stores and catalogs are carrying well-designed tools these days for people with special needs. Be aware, though, that specially designed tools may feel a little funny at first and require a little time to get used to.
Raking
Stephen Mcsweeny/Shutterstock
Tools that don’t fit your hand comfortably require three times as much energy.