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“Indoor Seed Starting for the Fall Garden.” 9 a.m. today. Jeff Ferris presents. The Natural Gardener, 8648 Old Bee Cave Road. Free. 288-6113, www.naturalgardeneraustin.com.

Bamboo Grove Grooming Workshop. 10 a.m. today. Bring hand clippers, loppers, saws and gloves. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road. Free. 929-9565, www.bamboocentral.net.

“Tips for a Successful Fall Garden.” 10:30 p.m. today. Sheryl Yantis presents. Herman Brown Free Library, 100 E. Washington St., Burnet. 325-388-8849, www.yantislakesidegardens.com/greenthumb.

Austin Area Begonia Society meeting. 2 p.m. Sunday. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road. Free. 327-0401.

Austin Butterfly Forum Club meeting. 7 p.m. Monday. Dan Hardy presents “How the Butterfly Got Its Spots.” Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road. www.austin
butterflies.org.

Garden Club of Austin Ice Cream Social and Silent Auction. 7 p.m. Thursday. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road. 444-8765, www.thegardenclubofaustin.org.

“Composting!” 9 a.m. July 28. Forrest Arnold presents. The Natural Gardener, 8648 Old Bee Cave Road. Free. 288-6113, www.naturalgardeneraustin.com.

“Become a Texas Master Gardener!” 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 7 through Nov. 13. Orientation on July 30. Register by July 27. Williamson County Extension Office, 3151 S.E. Innerloop Road, Georgetown. $220. http://txmg.org/williamson/how-can-i-become-a-master-gardener/class-schedule/.

Compiled by Virginia Yapp; garden@statesman.com

Ted Mills has a passion for roses.

A master rosarian, Mills, 89, is known nationally throughout the rose community as “Rose Doc.” But it’s not the numerous accolades he’s received for his award-winning roses that means the most to him. It’s educating others about roses that has been the most rewarding, he said.

Mills began growing roses shortly after he retired in 1986 as a senior vice president with American National Bank (now SunTrust). “I wanted a hobby that would be beneficial to me and to others. First, I wanted to win awards in our local rose shows. I spent as much as four hours daily trying to excel. After winning trophies, there was a void in my mind. I wanted to teach others how to grow God’s most beautiful flower.”

So instead of seeking awards, Mills started teaching others how to grow roses.

“Local, regional and national instruction became my lot,” he said, noting that he is a member of the executive committee of the American Rose Society (ARS). “The highlight of my life with roses came in 2010 when I was awarded the second highest award in the national body — most outstanding educator of roses in America.”

Mills advises rose gardeners to first consider how big they want their gardens.

“Large gardens require more time,” he said. “It is best to view the rose garden daily. Many things attack these beauties — diseases and insets. I would recommend a minimum of two hours daily. If the garden needs attention as to things being wrong, double the time spent fertilizing, pruning, deadheading spent blooms and especially watering, if rain is not present.

The Rose Doc was honored by Whit Wells, a nationally known rose hybridizer, who has created a new hybrid named for Mills, called Mills Magic. “It will be introduced to the American market soon,” he said.

Mills Magic is also the name of an organic fertilizer, sold nationwide, developed by Mr. Mills.

Five Tips For Growing Good Roses

1. Choose plants with at least three strong, lively canes. Garden centers are good sources for plants that have been jump-started by the staff. Inspection of plants is possible at point of sale; whereas, mail ordering is grab-bag style.

2. Using a good planting mix that affords 1/3 fertile soil, 1/3 creek sand (not as in golf courses) and 1/3 organics, such as manures. Be sure the planting site is located in an area that has good drainage and receives at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.

3. Roses are heavy feeders. Apply fertilizer regularly — chemical and organic. Prune away dead or twiggy growth that is unproductive. Shape the bushes throughout the growing season. Prune away spent blooms, which hastens a repeat crop of roses. Provide protection against diseases and insects. Spray weekly on a defensive basis for diseases. Conversely, spray for insects only when sighted. Good garden centers can supply effective chemical spray materials.

4. Most importantly, irrigate roses regularly. A rose bush needs 6 to 10 gallons of water each week to perform well. Share roses to make the hobby more enjoyable.

5. We have four seasons and virtually no harsh winters. Providing simple insulation to the bushes is sufficient to endure the low temperatures. Most days are really good in the spring and fall. Excessive heat in summer does affect local roses as evidenced lately. The remedy is to irrigate sufficiently to cope with the heat until fall.

From Mother Nature Network’s Matt Hickman:

Given that conventional lawn mowers and other gas-powered landscaping tools hold the dubious distinction of being responsible for generating a staggering 5 percent of air pollution in the U.S., maintaining a well-groomed yard that’s up to HOA snuff (or your own Augusta National-esque standards) comes equipped with deep environmental consequences. In fact, according to EPA estimates, a new, gas-powered lawn mower operated for just one hour generates the same amount of air pollution — namely, smog-forming volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides — as a car driven for 45 miles. Looking at carbon dioxide emissions alone, it’s estimated that a single gas mower produces 87 pounds of the greenhouse gas annually. And while Americans collectively burn an estimated 800 gallons of gasoline using lawn equipment each year, 17 million gallons of the fuel doesn’t even make it that far and is spilled during the refueling process — that’s more than the oil that was released into the environment during the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska.

Although things have improved since the EPA introduced emissions standards for landscaping equipment in the mid-1990s, and tightened just last year, rendering that yard all neat ‘n’ tidy can still be a mighty dirty task. But things are getting progressively better as consumers continue to opt for the numerous electric alternatives that are out there for the taking. These plug-in and cordless, battery-operated models can make a huge impact. According to the EPA, if 1,000 gas-powered mowers were replaced with electric models, 9.8 tons of harmful VOCs would be eliminated each year — the equivalent of removing 230 cars from the nation’s highways. Old-school reel mowers are also making a comeback. These models allow eco-conscious landscapers to groom their small- to medium-sized lawns in a completely emissions free manner (keep in mind that electric models aren’t 100 percent perfect as they require juice to power up) and receive a fantastic aerobic workout in process. Can’t beat that.

We’ve rounded up seven top-notch pieces of outdoor landscaping and maintenance equipment ranging from lawn mowers to pressure washers to hedge trimmers that are available in emissions-free electric or non-electric models as well. If you’ve become tired of the fumes, the gas stink, the spills and the ungodly noise associated with gas-powered machines, than we think they’re worth a look (and keep an eye out for any available rebates in your area that reward you for switching from gas to electric). Or you could just hire a goat.

List and captions courtesy of Mother Nature Network

Loading Slideshow

• Earthwise 12″ Cordless Grass Trimmer

  stronga href=”http://www.target.com/p/earthwise-12-cordless-grass-trimmer/-/A-11182816?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001AFID=Google_PLA_dfLNM=%7C11182816CPNG=NoCPNGci_sku=11182816ci_gpa=placi_kw” target=”_hplink”Find it at Target/a ($66.89)/strong

  Ideal for tackling those overgrown, hard-to-reach areas that have long eluded your lawn mower, this lean, mean, weed-whacking machine operates without the stinky fumes and deafening roar that’s associated with gas-powered trimmers and edgers. Operating at 8,500 RPMs, this model features an adjustable telescoping handle that can be adjusted to various heights and an adjustable head that can be positioned at three angles to tackle a variety of landscape manicuring tasks. Battery charger is included.

• Greenworks 1,500 PSI 1.3 GPM Electric Pressure Washer

  stronga href=”http://www.lowes.com/pd_55986-53393-51142_4294747237_4294937087_?productId=3606942Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1pl=1currentURL=%2Fpl_Electric%2BPressure%2BWashers_4294747237_4294937087_?Ns%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1facetInfo” target=”_hplink”Find it at Lowes/a ($99.98)/strong

  Whether beautifying the driveway or blasting a season’s worth of gunk and grime from the deck or patio, this petite yet powerful electric pressure washer with a 1.3 GPM axial pump can handle a variety of tasks with exhaust-free aplomb. We particularly like the wall-mounting storage feature that’s ideal for cluttered garages and garden sheds with limited floor space as well as the adjustable, quick-connect wand for easy, breezy nozzle switch-ups (0 degree, 25 degree, and 40 degree spray tips included). Plus, unlike massive, gas-powered pressure washers, you can also use this model indoors or in enclosed areas.

• Brill Razorcut Push Mower

  stronga href=”http://www.greendepot.com/greendepot/product.asp?s_id=0prod_name=Brill+Razorcut+Push+Mowerpf_id=CAGMOWRdept_id=46600l” target=”_hplink”Find it at Green Depot /a($249.95, grass catcher, $48.95)/strong

  The Rolls-Royce of people-powered push mowers, this German-engineered model from industry old-timer Brill features five welded steel blades that can go an entire decade without requiring sharpening and an ergonomic foam rubber handle. An adjustable cutting height that ranges from .7 inches to 1.8 inches allows you to conquer lawns that are either overgrown or just in need of a quick touch-up (sorry Southerners but the Razorcut can’t tackle Bermuda, St. Augustine or Zoysia grass). Grass catcher sold separately.

• Toro E-Cycler 20360 Cordless Electric Lawnmower

  stronga href=”http://www.cleanairgardening.com/toro-electric-mower.html” target=”_hplink”Find it at Clean Air Gardening/a ($419.99)/strong

  Sure, cordless electric lawn mowers cost a bit more up front than those noisy, pollution-spewing four-stoke machines, but in our opinion it’s well worth it. This push model from industry leader Toro features a quick-charging 36-volt battery that runs long enough to mow 7,000 to 10,000 square feet of grass. Not too shabby at all, eh? Boasting a 20-inch cutting width and an adjustable cutting height of 1 to 4 inches, the Toro E-Cycler also features a 20-inch steel mulching deck and a rear grass catcher in the event that you want to add the clippings to your compost pile.

• Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid

  stronga href=”http://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/robotic-mowers/automower-solar-hybrid/#features” target=”_hplink”Find it at a registered dealer near you/a ($2,995.95)/strong

  It makes perfect since that the Husqvarna Automower, the world’s first fully automatic solar hybrid lawn mower, features an anti-theft alarm and PIN code lock. Did you see the price tag? Ideal for those who want to sit back and relax instead of spending the weekend pushing a lawn mower, the emissions-free Automower can be set on a timer that helps establish a regular cutting schedule. An integrated solar panel on the top of the unit helps to extend battery life before this game-changing device needs to be recharged. And when it does need to be recharged, the Automower can find its own way back to the charging station with no human assistance required. And get this: The device texts you in the event that it runs into an obstacle or an “unscheduled event.” Now if only the Automower could pick up the dry cleaning, too.

• Earthwise 16-inch Corded Electric Chainsaw

  stronga href=”http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/earthwise/16chainsaw.htm” target=”_hplink”Find it at People Powered Machines/a ($95.99)/strong

  Sure, this mighty (yet lightweight at 13 pounds) electric chain saw is corded — a href=”http://terrordaves.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/leatherface.jpg” target=”_hplink”Leatherface/a would probably pass on this model — but that’s a small price to pay considering that you won’t have to deal with the frequent maintenance, gassy mishaps and bothersome pull-cord starting associated with conventional chain saws. Plus, it’s oh-so-quiet (very un-chainsaw-like, we know). Features of this 12-amp motored machine include a safety tip blade and protective blade cover, tool-less chain tension and automatic bar and chain oiling. And don’t forget your protective eyewear!

• Greenworks 22-inch 18-Volt Electric Cordless Hedge Trimmer

  stronga href=”http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=202332532storeId=10051langId=-1catalogId=10053MERCH=REC-_-product-1-_-202509439-_-202332532-_-N” target=”_hplink”Find it at Home Depot/a ($79.97)/strong

  Pride yourself on having the most immaculately manicured hedges in town? Good for you! Score bonus points in the landscape department by grooming using a power tool that doesn’t emit noxious fumes or leak gas all over the place. Powered by an 18V Ni-Cad battery, this lightweight electric hedge trimmer features a 22-inch dual-action, rust-resistant blade that can cut branches up to 1/2 inch thick. Batteries and charger are included.

• Also On The Huffington Post…

  What kind of batteries are green? Watch this Real World Green episode and green your electronics.

In the South, they know a thing or two about staying cool and creating magical gardens.  Atlanta fencing contractors have been building iron fences around gardens for years. Local carpenters have added to the architecture of the South by building whimsical garden houses and arbors. Wouldn’t you like to create some shade in your garden? You can create a shady outdoor living area by taking a cue from the South: Build an arbor; put up a decorative fence. It’s a fun project that can be done in a weekend.

  View original post.

Credit union members not only like to keep their finances in tip-top shape but also work hard to keep their homes and outdoor spaces healthy and looking great. As the warm weather of summer heat spreads across a majority of the country, many of us turn our thoughts to greening up the lawn, growing the perfect garden, and transforming our yards into the ultimate outdoor oasis. However, this can be a costly and time consuming effort that has the potential to eat up your resources quicker than Peter Rabbit eats freshly grown carrots!

According to Ted Steinberg’s American Green: The Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Lawn, American consumers spend about $40 billion on lawn care, which includes water, fertilizer, lawn care services, seed, and gardening equipment. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that homeowners in the US annually spend nearly 73 hours mowing lawns, trimming, clipping, pruning, and fertilizing, among other duties, to maintain and improve their outdoor spaces.

However, with a little bit of planning and some thought you can bring your backyard to life for a season full of outdoor fun and frolicking, without digging too deep into your pocketbook or spending every free moment devoted to your greenery.

5 Lawn Care Tips to Save Money Time from Credit Unions Online

1. Plant Prudently

   When planning your planting, you should not only consider what would be aesthetically pleasing but also what will be practical and energy saving. Leafy shade trees can help reduce energy bills significantly by keeping your home cooler during warm months. Fruit trees provide shade as well along with bushels of free fruit to enjoy, give as gifts, or even sell at a local farmers’ market. Native trees and plants, many of which can survive on naturally occurring rain and less watering on your part, will add interest to your garden while reducing your water bill. In fact, the more trees and plants you have on your property and the less lawn you have, the better. Lawns are more costly to water at an estimated $400 per year. Finally, plant perennials instead of annuals since perennials come back each year and can be divided to use in other areas or traded with friends and neighbors adding to your garden’s variety and color.

1. Create Compost

   You can create your own organic compost using food scraps, grass and shrubbery clippings, and other plant-based waste. This homemade compost can be turned into free fertilizer by adding it to garden soil for planting, using it as mulch, or for feeding the lawn. With just a small compost bin you can produce up to $200 worth of fertilizer when compared to purchasing the same amount from a home improvement store like Lowe’s or Home Depot. Plus, you are helping the environment by reusing waste rather than tossing it down the disposal or in a trash bag.

   Another form of lawn compost can come from your mower. If you’re in the market for a new mower, be sure to buy one with a mulcher. This will send valuable grass clippings straight back into the ground where they will help to green up your lawn, rather than into a lawn leaf bag to be pitched.

1. Mower Know-How

   Whether you are working with a shiny, new mower or old reliable, it’s very important to make sure it is running properly and with a sharpened blade, for optimum performance. Although many lawn masters may not realize this, experts suggest sharpening and balancing the mower blade three times per season. A dull blade not only leads to stressed grass and lawn destruction over time but does an inferior job. If you want a nice even, healthy-looking, professional-quality cut, a sharp blade is the way to go.

   Also, be sure your mower is well-oiled and gassed up. Keep a supply of mower provisions in your shed or garage so you can keep your lawn looking and feeling great all season long.

1. Seed, Feed and Water wisely

   If your lawn requires seeding, be sure to buy the correct type depending on the temperature of the area in which you live and the amount of sun vs shade in your yard. It is important to focus on any sparse areas — if they are not filled in with enough seed, weeds will take the place of grass and will then require weed killer.

   Although it is important to feed your lawn, you want to resist the urge to over fertilize which can damage the grass and become expensive. Before buying fertilizer or signing up for a lawn service, you might consider testing your soil with a kit sold at most nurseries. This will help you determine the type and frequency of the fertilizer you’ll need.

   Once you have seeded well or even established a lovely green lawn, there is a secret to continuing to grow and maintain healthy grass…watering! By following some simple rules you can master the art of watering. Water in the morning before the heat of the day sets in and avoid nighttime watering which can lead to mold. Do not overwater or water too frequently — it is best to water for a long period of time just once a day so the moisture has a chance to reach the roots.

1. Be a Frugal Garden Guru

   Refurbish old yard furniture, pots, and décor with just some sanding and new paint. You’ll save money on new pieces and create original ones to add personal style to your garden.

   Shop small and local at family-owned farms and nurseries rather than at the larger home-improvement stores. Plants and gardening supplies will often be priced cheaper and you’ll be supporting the local community.

   At the end of the season (mid-fall), shop clearance sales for supplies and even plants. Contrary to popular belief, fall is actually a great time for growing certain plants.

   With a little creativity, ingenuity, a small budget, and some hard work, you’ll have the greenest yard on the block!

Decorating Tip: A feng-shui entrance

For a feng-shui entrance to your home, follow these tips:

– Include uplifting “greeters,” such as a waterfall or piece of artwork.

– Place inspiring objects leading up to the front door, like a meandering pathway and flowers.

– Add plants, especially evergreens, which will stay lush all year.

— HGTV/ Scripps Howard News Service

Home-Selling Tip: Fixer-up repairs

Before putting your house on the market, take some time to repair broken windows, a leaky roof, broken light fixtures and anything else that needs repair. Investing your time and money in these repairs now will help you reap top dollar when home buyers are making offers. Other things to look for include leaky faucets, squeaky doors and bad paint jobs.

— FrontDoor.com

Going Green: Composting saves school money, waste

Five New York City parents decided to take matters into their own hands when they saw how much food waste was being dumped into the landfills from public schools. Together, they started school composting programs, which reduced the local schools’ cafeteria waste by 85 percent. The team estimates that if the entire NYC school system would switch to composting, they would save $1 million in garbage bags and $1.1 million in disposal fees.

— Earth911.com

Did You Know …

The national median existing-home price is expected to rise 3 percent this year and another 5.7 percent in 2013. — Realtor.org

New Product: Samsung Galaxy S III

The Consumer Reports Electronics Blog calls the Samsung Galaxy S III “one of the most advanced Android smartphones” on the market. The blog also says, with this phone, Samsung “unseats HTC from the highest position” on its smartphone ratings from ATT, Sprint and T-Mobile. The Galaxy boasts a 4.8-inch, high-definition touchscreen; an 8-megapixel camera that produces superior-quality photos; and gesture- and sensor-based tools.

Garden Guide: Growing vertical fruit

Pole beans and peas are good vertical vegetables because they do not need much encouragement to twine around supports. Tomatoes also lend themselves well to this type of gardening. Cages are often used with tomatoes, but they also can be trained onto a vertical, flat support. They may, however, occasionally need to be tied to a vertical support because they do not climb naturally.

— University of Illinois Extension

Gardening and yard work can be a real pain in the back if you’re not careful. Follow these ten helpful tips from Easy Rest Adjustable Beds when working in the yard to avoid back pain that can keep you up at night.

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) July 17, 2012

Do you work hard to make your yard the envy of your neighbors or are you a reluctant gardener just trying to maintain minimum standards of the neighborhood? No matter which type of homeowner you are one thing holds true – gardening and yard work can be a real pain!

One of the most common complaints following a few hours of yard work is lower back pain. Weeding, mowing, digging, raking, planting and mulching can wreck havoc on your back muscles, and if you’re not careful it’s easy to strain or pull the muscles in your back.

Dr. Brian Morrison, President Clinical Director of Morrison Chiropractic and Adjunct Faculty Member at the University of Maryland School of Medicine is very familiar with the back pains created by summer gardening. Every summer his practice sees an uptick in patients complaining of back pain from yard work.

“The biggest mistake people make when working in the yard is not warming up their bodies prior to starting,” says Dr. Morrison. “It’s important to warm up your muscles to prepare for the repetitive movements and heavy lifting required for gardening tasks. And, contrary to popular belief, old fashioned stretching exercises may not be effective or helpful,” he added.

Dr. Morrison recommends following these 10 tips for gardening to help you keep your back in good shape all summer long.

1.    Warm Up – Before beginning; take a few minutes to warm up your muscles by doing some dynamic warm up exercises. These include going for a brisk 5 – 10 minute walk around the yard, jumping jacks, walking lunges and arm circles.

2.    Hydrate – Muscles need water to function optimally. When you maintain your body’s water levels during use, you allow your muscles to coordinate with each other properly and support your physical activity. Adequate water levels in your body can help prevent the onset of muscle cramps or spasms and help prevent dehydration.

3.    Mix It Up – Vary your gardening tasks each time. Do a little pruning work, raking, bending work, digging, etc. Don’t continuously perform any particular activity for a long period.

4.    Mowing – Leaning forward as you push the lawn mower can strain your back. Be sure to maintain proper posture and push with your arms and legs instead of your back.

5.    Weeding – Bending over at the waist for prolonged periods is a sure way to cause your back muscles to start complaining. Kneel on a rubber gardening mat, sit on a wheeled gardening stool, or sit directly on the ground instead. Make sure you have all your tools close at hand.

6.    Lifting – When lifting bags of dirt, mulch or potted plants, keep your back straight and bend with your knees and hips (not your back) when reaching down. The power for your lift comes from your buttocks and legs. If you are picking up piles of grass, leaves or other yard waste, make the piles small to decrease the weight.

7.    Raking – Most people use the rake with their dominant hand only. This causes one side of your body to be overused. Try switching sides every few minutes, even though it will feel awkward. Your back, neck and arms will thank you.

8.    Wear Supportive Shoes – Yard work can put a lot of strain on your feet and legs. Good foot and arch support can stop some of that strain from reaching your back. Ditch the sandals and flip-flops and opt for a supportive pair of shoes instead.

9.    Take Breaks – Taking your time will make it less likely for injuries to occur. Pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion can cause you to get sloppy with good posture and lifting techniques, setting you up for injury.

10.    Outsource – Consider hiring a local student to do the heavy work that strains your back. Lots of young people can’t find summer jobs and one may be more than willing to spend a few hours a week working for you. As an added bonus, you might just turn them into a gardener for life!

What can you do if you follow all of these tips and still wind up with low back pain? Dr. Morrison recommends conservative treatments including:

•     Heat and/or ice treatments.
•     Exercise, stretching techniques, chiropractic care or physical therapy to repair and strengthen muscles.
•     Lifestyle changes such as weight loss and regular exercise.
•     Propping pillows behind your back and under knees when resting to take pressure off of your lower back.

“As part of our new patient evaluation we discuss the importance of quality sleep to help the healing process,” commented Dr. Morrison. “If a patient is sleeping on an old or uncomfortable mattress we recommend they consider replacing it. People don’t realize that their mattress can be adding too, or causing, their lower back pain problems. We recommend Easy Rest Adjustable Beds to our patients because they help support the spine and allow the patient to find a position that is comfortable for them,” he added.

An adjustable bed like the ones available from Easy Rest Adjustable Sleep Systems, may help with the symptoms of low back pain. People who rest and sleep in an adjustable bed, are able to find individualized positions to take the pressure off their back pain by easily adjusting the bed with a wireless remote control. Massage features may help back pain sufferers relax and fall asleep easier, allowing the body to work on repairing itself. Optional heat features allow users to add heat to their lower back without the need of additional heating pads.

About Easy Rest Adjustable Sleep Systems

Easy Rest Adjustable Sleep Systems founders have more than 100 years experience in the adjustable bed business. The company offers a modern line of high-quality, U.S.-made, electric, adjustable sleep systems and mattresses to fit every health and comfort requirement, budget or lifestyle. Easy Rest stands behind every product it sells, and through its centralized national customer service office provides consumers swift and efficient responses to any product questions or problems.

To learn more about Easy Rest Adjustable Sleep Systems, including the health and comfort benefits of its full range of quality beds and mattresses as well as bed sizes, options and features, please visit http://www.easyrest.com or call 1-800-217-5206 today.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/7/prweb9703652.htm

Gardening and yard work can be a real pain in the back if you’re not careful. Follow these ten helpful tips from Easy Rest Adjustable Beds when working in the yard to avoid back pain that can keep you up at night.

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) July 17, 2012

Do you work hard to make your yard the envy of your neighbors or are you a reluctant gardener just trying to maintain minimum standards of the neighborhood? No matter which type of homeowner you are one thing holds true – gardening and yard work can be a real pain!

One of the most common complaints following a few hours of yard work is lower back pain. Weeding, mowing, digging, raking, planting and mulching can wreck havoc on your back muscles, and if you’re not careful it’s easy to strain or pull the muscles in your back.

Dr. Brian Morrison, President Clinical Director of Morrison Chiropractic and Adjunct Faculty Member at the University of Maryland School of Medicine is very familiar with the back pains created by summer gardening. Every summer his practice sees an uptick in patients complaining of back pain from yard work.

“The biggest mistake people make when working in the yard is not warming up their bodies prior to starting,” says Dr. Morrison. “It’s important to warm up your muscles to prepare for the repetitive movements and heavy lifting required for gardening tasks. And, contrary to popular belief, old fashioned stretching exercises may not be effective or helpful,” he added.

Dr. Morrison recommends following these 10 tips for gardening to help you keep your back in good shape all summer long.

1.    Warm Up – Before beginning; take a few minutes to warm up your muscles by doing some dynamic warm up exercises. These include going for a brisk 5 – 10 minute walk around the yard, jumping jacks, walking lunges and arm circles.

2.    Hydrate – Muscles need water to function optimally. When you maintain your body’s water levels during use, you allow your muscles to coordinate with each other properly and support your physical activity. Adequate water levels in your body can help prevent the onset of muscle cramps or spasms and help prevent dehydration.

3.    Mix It Up – Vary your gardening tasks each time. Do a little pruning work, raking, bending work, digging, etc. Don’t continuously perform any particular activity for a long period.

4.    Mowing – Leaning forward as you push the lawn mower can strain your back. Be sure to maintain proper posture and push with your arms and legs instead of your back.

5.    Weeding – Bending over at the waist for prolonged periods is a sure way to cause your back muscles to start complaining. Kneel on a rubber gardening mat, sit on a wheeled gardening stool, or sit directly on the ground instead. Make sure you have all your tools close at hand.

6.    Lifting – When lifting bags of dirt, mulch or potted plants, keep your back straight and bend with your knees and hips (not your back) when reaching down. The power for your lift comes from your buttocks and legs. If you are picking up piles of grass, leaves or other yard waste, make the piles small to decrease the weight.

7.    Raking – Most people use the rake with their dominant hand only. This causes one side of your body to be overused. Try switching sides every few minutes, even though it will feel awkward. Your back, neck and arms will thank you.

8.    Wear Supportive Shoes – Yard work can put a lot of strain on your feet and legs. Good foot and arch support can stop some of that strain from reaching your back. Ditch the sandals and flip-flops and opt for a supportive pair of shoes instead.

9.    Take Breaks – Taking your time will make it less likely for injuries to occur. Pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion can cause you to get sloppy with good posture and lifting techniques, setting you up for injury.

10.    Outsource – Consider hiring a local student to do the heavy work that strains your back. Lots of young people can’t find summer jobs and one may be more than willing to spend a few hours a week working for you. As an added bonus, you might just turn them into a gardener for life!

Whether you’re just starting to plant or your garden is in full swing, check out these unique tips to help you grow better, healthier plants. These tips are eco-friendly, organic and mostly free!

1. Create a natural fertilizer by crushing up old eggshells in a food processor or blender. Sprinkle the shells into your garden to enrich the soil. Eggshells contain calcium that some plants like tomatoes and eggplants need to avoid rot. The extra calcium helps combat this.

Eggshells also combat slugs and other pests, as well.  For more tips on keeping slugs and bugs away from your plants, check out this post on TwinkleVanWinkle.com.

 

2. Keep weeds at bay with vinegar and salt. If you have a large area of weeds you’d like to get rid of, pour vinegar on the leaves and salt on the roots. Make sure to keep away from things you DON’T want killed. The salt will leave the soil dead for several months. It is a great way to kill plants in the fall and prepare an area for spring planting, however.

3. Layer old newspapers three or four layers deep onto areas where weeds are a problem. The paper will smother the plants and keep them from getting any of the sunlight they need to grow.

4. Try making your garden some tea. Chamomile tea is perfect for keeping bacteria and fungus at bay. Pour a cooled batch of chamomile tea onto the roots of plants to help keep veggies and flowers healthy.

 

5. Save the water after you boil vegetables, and even noodles. The leftover water is full of nutrients and vitamins that your plants will love to drink. Just let the water cool down before using it on plants.

For tips on growing great tomatoes, check out this post from last month.

6. Document your success as well as your failures. A gardening journal is the best way to make sure you remember the great things you’ve done, as well as helps to keep you from duplicating the mistakes the next growing season.

7. Give your plants some friends. Companion plants really can help grow your garden to its fullest potential. Fragrant herbs repel pests while nectar-rich plants, like sunflowers and zinnia, attract beneficial insects that help pollinate.

8. A well-placed soaker hose lets water seep slowly into the soil around your plants. This is a great way to get much-needed water to the roots on a steady schedule. Water your plants easily in the morning and evenings, avoiding midday sun. This method also helps your plants avoid bacteria and fungus that can appear from shock and spot watering.

For more watering tips, go to TwinkleVanWinkle.com and check out Twinkle’s 10 Watering Tips.

9. Give your plants support by tying them up to a stake, cage or even fencing. Use old pantyhose for the best way to camouflage the ties in the garden while giving them a little bit of flexibility with the stretchy material. Great way to recycle ripped or torn stockings as well!

10. When it gets down to it, your hands are the best and most effective weed deterrent. For small, intermittent weeds, a little elbow grease and some manual weed-pulling goes a long way. It’s a great way to commune with your garden and get down and dirty to investigate if there are any problems you may be overlooking.

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For more on gardening, tech geekery, food and music, check out twinklevanwinkle.com. Find Twinkle on Foodspotting, Tumblr and Twitter.

Twinkle VanWinkle ponders, creates and discovers cool stuff about music, movies, food, fashion and so forth. Her thoughtful writings and interactives give great advice about healthy food, cooking tips, DIY projects, fashion and more. She’ll teach you a thing or two about music as well. Along with producing dynamic entertainment content for LIN Media, she is a mother, musician and social media fanatic.

Garden tours, horticulture demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, hands-on family activities, music, farm tours, educational trade show, food and entertainment will combine to create the 42nd annual Horticulture Night at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) Horticulture Display Garden in Morris, July 26 from 5-9 pm.

There is something for everyone:

Garden Tours

–Annuals! What’s New and Good for Me?–Mike Holland –5:45 7:15—Enjoy a walking tour of the annual gardens on display and learn about features of various new annuals coming into the market.

Demonstration Tent A – South Side Of Garden

–A Fresh and Healthy Cooking Demonstration, Tony Nemmers, 5 and 7:15 p.m. Tony will prepare a light summer meal featuring fresh and healthy foods.

–Containers for All Seasons, Carrie LiBaire, 6:30 and 8 p.m. Carrie will show you tips and tricks to make your containers fun and exciting all year long.

–Successful Gardening Tips for Vine Crops, Audrey Lesmeister, 5:45 (and at 8 p.m. in Tent C). An overview of vine crops with an emphasis on soil preparation and space requirements, plant fertilizer (both natural and commercial options), recognition of common pests and/or diseases associated with vine crops, and creative ideas for growing vine crops in limited spaces.

Demonstration Tent B – North Side Of Garden

–Emerald Ash Borer: It’s not here yet, but let’s plant for it, John Ball, 5 and and 6:30 p.m. Learn about a proactive approach to minimizing the loss of ash from the emerald ash borer.

–Digested Dairy Manure as Part of a Plant’s Diet, Bert Swanson, 7:15. Presentation will cover a new approach to soil amendments for gardens and landscapes by using a potential product for this purpose is non-composted Riverview Digested Dairy Manure.

–Garden Weed Control without Chemicals, Larry Zilliox, 5:45 and 8 p.m. Discover various types of plastics and mulches that can successfully be used in the vegetable garden for weed control without the use of chemicals.

Demonstration Tent C

–Sustainable Landscaping with Grasses, Mary Meyer, 5:45 and 7:15 p.m. Learn which grasses are good choices for your garden, and the best grasses for tough sites. A special emphasis on grasses growing at the WCROC.

–Successful Gardening Tips for Vine Crops, Audrey Lesmeister, 8 (and at 5:45 p.m. in Tent A). An overview of vine crops with an emphasis on soil preparation and space requirements, plant fertilizer (both natural and commercial options), recognition of common pests and/or diseases associated with vine crops, and creative ideas for growing vine crops in limited spaces.

–Tried and True Perennial Flowers, Neil Anderson, 5 and 6:30 p.m. Hear from one of the most trusted perennial flower researchers in the upper Midwest. With Neil’s experience and trialing efforts, he will share with you new and hard-to-find perennials that will perform well in this region.

Hands-on Family Activities, ongoing from 5 to 8 p.m.

–Farm-to-Table Tour (near Children’s Garden)-Families can see how products come from the farm or land, how it is raised or grown, and how those products are used in our daily lives.

Special Activities

–Farm Tour, 5:45 and 7:15 p.m. (Meet South of Registration Area) Take a hayride tour to learn about the ongoing WCROC agriculture and renewable energy advancements.

–Tri-State Band–Rest in the picnic tent area and enjoy the band. Performance starts at 7:00.

–Vendor and trade show booths open from 5 to 9 p.m.

Food Booths:

Kiwanis Booth

4-H Food Booth

The WCROC Horticulture Gardens are used for research and education as well as to showcase displays that inspire gardeners to use them in their own backyards. Steve Poppe, Horticulture Scientist at WCROC, would like to thank the Master Gardeners, numerous volunteers, WCROC faculty and staff, Extension Educators, and 4 H groups for their assistance with Horticulture Night. The University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center is located one mile east of Morris on Highway 329. Look for the wind turbines to guide you. Horticulture Night is free and open to everyone.

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regional news, news, updates, horticulture