Gardeners Can Give Their Backs A Break With A Wheelie Bin
posted in Recycling Tips |If gardening-related back injuries are a concern, a wheelie bin, lightweight tools and a host of other practices can greatly reduce the chances of a favourite hobby turning into a painful nightmare. When smart practices are brought into play in the garden, safety can be a top priority. The quality of the garden does not have to be sacrificed in the proposition either.
There are a variety of ways for gardeners with back problems to still enjoy the hobby and for those without them to avoid them all together. Some of the best ideas involve nothing more than common sense. From selecting a wheelie bin to take the pressure off moving rubbish and compost to learning the right techniques for digging and planting, they can all play a big role in keeping gardeners safe.
Here are some of the best ideas for avoiding gardening-related back injuries:
- Plan a garden with care. One of the biggest issues involved in gardening is the need to task and toil in hard-to-reach areas. Instead of allowing this to happen, plan out a garden accordingly. Put higher maintenance plants in areas that are easy to reach and place those that will not require much care in the less accessible areas.
- Minimise the need for weeding by using ground cover plants instead of grasses, where applicable, and keep a heavy layer of mulch in place to help prevent unwanted plants from popping up.
- Use workbenches rather than the ground for potting plants, working with cuttings and more. When benches are built to the correct height, generally just below elbow-height, they can minimise the need for a lot of stooping and straining.
- Select gardening tools with care. This means finding tools that are light in weight and have long handles that can help reduce and eliminate back strain. Also, make sure to use the right tools for the job at hand.
- Use a wheelie bin as the waste container in the garden. These are specifically designed to reduce pressure on the back, even with heavy loads. Some wheelie bin models are perfect for composting, too, which makes them an especially good addition to a garden.
- Use proper lifting techniques. Sometimes gardening involves heavy lifting and pulling. When the need arises, lift with the knees, rather than the back. Also, ask for help when it is necessary.
- Make sure to kneel for planting. This can help take the strain off the back that stooping can produce. There are even special mats and seats that can help take the pressure off the legs and knees when planting. Consider using them.
- Do not rush into digging. The act of digging holes for plants and trees can be one of the biggest problems for out-of-shape gardeners. Do not try to do it all at once. If your back cannot take the pressure, dig a few holes one day, plant, and then take a break.
All too often gardeners find themselves sidelined from their favourite hobby. If back concerns are an issue, there are ways to avoid injury and pain. Smart gardening tools, such as a wheelie bin, long-handled hoes and kneel mats, can go a long way in the prevention department.
Editors’ notes:
NowRecycle.co.uk is a trading style of Plastic Omnium Systems Ltd - a European market leader in waste containment solutions that provides a wide range of waste containers and services including wheeled bins, litter bins, banks, composters and sacks. It is part of the International Plastic Omnium Group, a world leader in contract waste container solutions with worldwide sales of more than £1.8 billion. It employs over 9,000 people in 25 countries, across four continents, in manufacturing and service solutions for the automotive, environment and performance plastic products.
Press Contact: Simon Dutta, N European Marketing Director, Plastic Omnium Urban Systems Ltd
Telephone: 01952 582 583