Hurricane Preparation Tips

The first, and most important thing you can do if you have a hurricane coming at you is to take it seriously. The best time for a hurricane party is AFTER you have survived it. Here is a good checklist from The National Hurricane Center – and some “what to do” advice from FEMA here. Some extra tips from a survivor. •If you are in a low-lying area and there is any chance of storm surge – get out....

Lifting Smart in the Garden

Gardening can give you a great workout, especially when you incorporate all the weight lifting that comes from schlepping plants, packaged soil, mulch and wheelbarrow loads of garden clippings. It can also lead to injury or muscle soreness if done incorrectly, so it’s very important to lift smart when gardening. When lifting heavy items, squat down, get a firm grip and lift using your legs, not your back! By lifting...

Healthful Gardening Practices

Gardening can be a great form of healthful exercise. Depending on the intensity of your garden work, you can get quite a good workout. All that bending, stretching and lifting will keep your body limber and muscles toned. But when done incorrectly it can lead to injury. Before starting any gardening activity, consider stretching for a few minutes to warm up your muscles and prepare them for the work ahead. And if you take...

Avoiding Accidents in the Garden

Gardening can be a tremendously enjoyable and rewarding activity. But it can also be the source of accidents, many of which can be preventable. Most accident happen when gardeners take shortcuts, lack the skill or training to do a job properly, ignore potential risks, don’t plan well or just have plain old bad luck. While lawnmower accidents top the list of reported incidents, flowerpots (surprisingly) are second...