Pain-Free Gardening Boulder CO

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

Treehouse Nursery
(303) 449-8733
7450 Valmont Rd
Boulder, CO
West End Gardener
(303) 938-0607
777 Pearl St Ste D
Boulder, CO
Harlequin's Gardens
(303) 939-9403
4795 26th St
Boulder, CO
United Green Mark
(970) 667-3337
5102 Garfield Ave
Loveland, CO
Apple Valley Greenhouses Inc
(719) 372-6353
890 7th St
Penrose, CO
Lost Mesa Flower Co.
(970) 872-3245
35118 Hanson Mesa Rd
Hotchkiss, CO
Abner's Garden Center
(303) 424-0180
12280 W 44th Ave
Wheat Ridge, CO
Pennhill Farms
(303) 663-0650
2979 N Highway 83
Franktown, CO
Garden Country
(303) 466-6761
4181 W 120th Ave
Broomfield, CO
Grow Store East the
(303) 367-2488
14440 E 6th Ave
Aurora, CO

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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

A Better Garden Maintenance LLC

303- 433-3752
PO Box 13313
Aurora, CO
http://www.abtagarden.com