Gardening can cause or aggravate back pain, due in part to the bending, lifting and shoveling involved. Don't let the stress and strain of traditional gardening stop you from enjoying this rewarding hobby. There are a few secrets to gardening that make more use of your brain than body, and they can all be learned in this book, Easy Gardening, by Jack Kramer.
Planning A Garden
Doing some planning before you start work is key to having a low-stress garden. Planting in the best location the first time will avoid the additional (and unnecessary) work of digging up and moving a plant later. Also, planning for easy-care plants is best done in advance rather than shopping on impulse at the garden center.
Respect Limitations
Acknowledge any physical limitations that may occur with time, and save the bravado for a young paid helper with a healthy spine. Some things are worth paying for, and gardening prep is often one of them.
Gardening Tools
Mr. Kramer suggests tools that are of special assistance to the low-stress gardener. One such suggestion is to use a hoe for weeding as much as possible, saving your back and knees from excessive bending. There are pictures and descriptions of many tools that can make gardening easier.
Avoid Unnecessary Work
Much physical labor can be avoided in the garden with proper knowledge. Using the right mulch will help keep weeding to a minimum. Composting is a wonderful way to keep garbage out of landfills, and create rich healthy organic soil, which will reduce the work of combating insects and tending unhealthy plants
Container Planting and Raised Beds
Mr. Kramer enjoys raised beds in his own garden, and includes photographs and instructions for creating your own. Gardening in containers is another way to avoid weeds entirely, while maintaining the freedom to move plants easily.
Stocking the Garden
Handy reference charts are included listing plants by name, their expected height, range of colors, blooming season and whether they are sun or shade lovers. Information is included for annuals and perennials, trees, shrubs and bulbs.
Insect Control
Nature provides its own insect control in the form of friendly birds who will be all too happy to feast on a garden's pests. Knowing how to encourage and attract birds, and which birds are most helpful will save valuable effort better spent on more pleasant gardening chores.
Indoor Gardening
Keeping houseplants is a proven way of improving the quality of air indoors. Suggestions are provided for avoiding the most difficult houseplants.
Summary
This thoughtful book can teach anyone to enjoy gardening no matter their age or physical limitations. Grow a culinary garden to enjoy in your kitchen, or flowers to beautify the landscape inside and out. This small book is a quick read with lots of intelligent tips. It is not a frilly coffee table book. Photographs are in black and white, and there are many useful sketches. There is a chapter on greenhouses, which may not be feasible for everyone, but there is a wealth of knowledge in this useful reference.
Title: Easy Gardening
Author: Jack Kramer
Publisher: Fulcrum, 144 pages
Price: $14.95
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