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Get Fit Working In the Yard
This season offers plenty of opportunities to work outdoors--stimulating body,
soul, and garden to grow healthy and strong.
By Lynne Long
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Raking leaves will keep your yard tidy and can help your upper body gain valuable strength. |
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Crisp days are upon us. Enjoy the exhilarating cool air and clear days by
working outside. Gardening during the winter months prepares your yard for
spring and can give your body a form of exercise that will help you stay fit for
a lifetime.
The Goodness of Gardening
Many fitness enthusiasts
consider gardening to be moderate exercise, and 30 minutes of moderate exercise
per day can lower cholesterol; drop blood pressure levels; and help prevent type
2 diabetes, strokes, and heart disease. Gardening also contributes to muscle
endurance, flexibility, and strength.
Equally rewarding, the gardening life
often lowers stress, alleviates depression, and can improve your self-esteem.
Gardeners of all ages enjoy the chance for self-expression and creativity, as
well as accomplishing a task. The garden's sensory extravaganza also reduces
tension: The colors, sounds, and fragrances can make you forget the cares of a
dreary day. - Prune. Now is a good time to prune evergreens, summer-flowering shrubs,
and trees. The bare branches of dormant deciduous trees make it easier to
evaluate the situation.
- Prepare the soil. This is a great time to turn your soil as harmful
insects and their eggs will be exposed to the cold and to hungry birds. Mix in
compost, manure, or other organic materials for a lush planting bed in the
spring.
- Plant. Trees and shrubs set out in January have extra time to establish
healthy root systems before spring.
- Mulch. Add a thick layer of mulch to
protect new growth. Pine straw, fallen leaves, and composted pine bark are good
choices. Mulch provides protection for roots and helps conserve moisture.
- Clean containers. Soak your collection of leftover clay pots overnight in
a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup household bleach per gallon of warm
water. If your pots are still crusty, try scrubbing with a steel wool pad after
they have soaked for 12 hours. Rinse with warm water, and allow the pots to
air-dry.
- Ready tools. Shovels, shears, and mowers should be sharpened and oiled.
Paint tool handles bright colors, such as yellow or red. This will help preserve
the wood and will make these items easier to spot when you set them down on the
lawn.
- Relocate accessories. Bring garden ornaments, such as jars or urns, into
your basement to prevent damage from falling temperatures. If they cannot be
moved, cover or turn them upside down to prevent water collection. If the water
freezes, the containers could break.
- Prevent disease. Many fruit trees and roses will benefit from an
application of dormant oil spray, which kills overwintering insects and
diseases. It can also reduce the scorching effects of drying winter winds.
- Think ahead. After working in the yard, take time to plan and dream. Draw a
small map of your garden, and make a list of plants and seeds you'd like to
order from your favorite garden catalogs.
Tool Time
For physically friendly tools, call the Life with Ease at
1-800-966-5119, or visit their Web site at www.lifewithease.com. Another good source is Lee Valley Tools. Call
1-800-267-8735, or visit www.leevalley.com.
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