- Author: Betsy Buxton
Have you ever stood out in the yard and just wished the “Garden Fairy” would buzz your way and change things for you? Especially when it's really hot? Today, I'm out here in the back 40 – okay, the yard is normal sized, but full of stuff that needs cutting, pulling, de-headed, de-bugged, or something! I hear my iced tea calling my name; time to go.
I envy those women who have husbands who like yard work; that my lawn is tiny and full of landscape grasses is a direct result of marrying a guy who “doesn't do dirt”. He'll make things from lumber but wants no part of a tree before it's converted to lumber, preferably quarter-sawn and oak, and ready for the saw! I've planted a Cercoparpus or Mountain Mahogany in hopes of fooling him into growing his own “lumber”, but it didn't work. Looks like I'm on my own – again! Is there a “motorcycle bush” to catch his attention? Nope! Gardening is a good way of keeping active after retirement for many of us. Spending a good 2 to 3 hours a day in the sunshine (and heat) helps keep the muscles toned and the joints limber; just don't overdo!
Using a wagon or garden cart is an excellent way of moving things throughout the garden as well as using the correct tool for the job. I've seen tool carts made of old hand-pulled golf club caddies and 10- gallon buckets as garden seats. Using the higher buckets saves the back as not as much stooping and bending are needed; old towels can be quite soothing when kneeling. In displays of potted plants, upside down pots can be used as risers for smaller pots.
I have 30-gallon garbage cans placed in various areas of my back yard which save me the trouble of lugging a container around to put my clippings and pullings as I work. I'm sure that you out there have other tricks of the gardening trade to save wear and tear on your body and make your outdoor tasks more enjoyable and easier. Let me know!