Pain-Free Gardening Adrian MI

Dirty work shouldn't ruin your body. The right tools and technique make digging more comfortable. Here are a few tips for perfecting your form.

Local Companies

Spielman's True Value Hardware & Garden Center
(517) 265-7864
1325 N Main St
Adrian, MI
Dan's Market & Garden Center
(231) 946-8685
2415 Garfield Rd N
Traverse City, MI
Harger's Feed & Garden Supply
(989) 735-2277
4711 Baker Rd
Glennie, MI
Abele Greenhouse & Garden Center
(989) 752-5625
3500 Wadsworth Rd
Saginaw, MI
Glenda's Market
(248) 474-2230
36500 7 Mile Rd
Livonia, MI
Cedar Springs Mill & Supply Inc
(616) 696-9740
115 W Church
Cedar Springs, MI
Blake Dw Corporation
(517) 629-3901
28012 F Dr S
Albion, MI
Plymouth Nursery Home & Garden Showplace
(734) 453-5500
9900 Ann Arbor Rd
Ypsilanti, MI
Glen's Evergreen & Perennial Farm
(231) 525-8631
14894 Old Sturgeon Rd
Wolverine, MI
Grim's Sign Co
(269) 651-2266
27220 E Fawn River Rd
Sturgis, MI

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Dirty work shouldn’t ruin your body. The right tools and technique make digging more comfortable. Here are a few tips for perfecting your form:



Dig when the soil is wrung-out-sponge most. If it’s sopping wet, wait. If it’s bone dry, irrigate.


Use a well-made tool that’s sized to your body and right for the task. Although you can shovel with a spade or spade with a shovel, the proper tool will be easier on your body.


Your digging tool should be sharp enough to cut you. If you are digging all day, work like a butcher: sharpen your blade frequently.


Drive your blade straight down (using your weight), not at an angle (using your muscle).

Take thin slices of earth, no more than an inch or two thick. You’ll produce a thin unstable flake that falls apart easily. Thick shovelfuls produce large clods that require you to slash and bash them. That’s unnecessary work.


Never look over your shoulder to see how much spading you have left to do. Just keep pecking away!



Read about the four main kinds of digging tools



Read past weeks’ tips



Do you have a tip or trick to share with other gardeners? E-mail edit@hortmag.com  or post it in the Co-Horts’ Forum. Your tip could be featured in a future e-newsletter!

From Horticulture Magazine

Featured Local Company

Bill's Lawn & Landscape Inc

419- 644-5296
2470 US 20
Toledo, OH
http://www.billslawnscaping.com