How to garden safely this spring

Before you wield a wheelbarrow, Jo Dunbar explores what you can do to stay injury-free on your patch

- Jo Dunbar

Gardening is known to be good for us. As well as beneficial physical activity, spending time in nature helps our mental health too. Now spring is here, it can be tempting to dash outside and garden with gusto but, as the experts warn, this is how injuries can occur.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has suggested around 300,000 people end up in hospital each year thanks to garden-based injuries - and it's thought one-third of these are a direct result of gardening.

NHS trusts regularly warn the public to take care over the Easter and May bank holidays when making home or garden improvements as they experience a spike in A&E admissions. So, what do we need to be aware of before picking up a trowel?

Back and joint pain

Back pain can be attributed to lots of bending down, digging awkwardly, or heaving objects. Physiotherapist Nell Mead (howtobeyourownphysio.com) tells us: "Several aspects of gardening can put strain on our bodies.

Potentially risky positions include stooping and bending. Although our spines are intended to bend, working in a flexed position is associated with lower back pain, especially if we're not used to it."

Even the most mundane of garden jobs can pose a risk. As Nell explains: "Weeding often involves prolonged bending and gripping. Pruning can strain your neck, shoulders and wrists. And even pushing a lawnmower can strain the back if done improperly."

Cuts and scratches