Gardening is a year-round hobby that requires a lot of work throughout the year - often requiring the need to plan ahead for several months – but it all pays off in the end! It is important to pay attention to your climate, decide which type of garden you want to have, and research the supplies you need before you get started.

Gardening is good for you in so many ways - it is great exercise, it connects you to the natural world, and it can relax and restore you after a long winter. Barry Taylor, DC, practitioner at Northwestern Health Sciences University's Highland Clinic offers these tips to help you enjoy a long and rewarding gardening season without pain and injury:

• Warm Up: Gardening is exercise! The best way to prevent an injury from exercise is to warm up beforehand. This can be accomplished easily with a 10-15 minute walk around your neighborhood and some gentle stretching.
• Alternate Your Activities and Position Frequently: A good rule of thumb is to change activities every 10 to 15 minutes. For example, you can kneel to plant for 10 minutes and then stand to dig for 10 minutes.
• Kneel to Plant and Weed: Use knee pads or kneeling mat to protect your knees. Bending and twisting for long periods is harder on your back than kneeling. Remember to stand up and move around every 10-15 minutes.
• Change Your Hand and Foot Position Often: Don’t let one side of your body do all the work. By switching your hand and foot position, when doing such tasks as raking and hoeing, you will avoid straining the muscles on one side of your body. Once you get the hang of switching every few minutes you will actually be more efficient!
• Wear Good Shoes: This is always a good idea. Remember – gardening is exercise! Wear supportive, comfortable shoes that have good arch support. Good shoes are essential for protecting your back during activity.
• Choose Good Tools: Be sure to select tools that are the right length and weight for you. Always use the right tool for the job – don’t try to spade a large flower bed with a hand trowel. Ask around at the gardening center and among your gardening friends regarding tools they use to make gardening tasks easier and less tasking.
• Have Fun: You have picked an incredibly rewarding hobby, be sure to take time and enjoy the fruits of your labor! Top off a long day of gardening with a good meal near the garden, or invite your friends over to show it off!