Apr 24 2008
Ergonomic Hand Gardening Tools
For many people, gardening is more than just a weekend hobby or a way to put fresh produce on the table, it’s a passion. Many people get great satisfaction and relaxation from all different types of gardening. Many other people, on the other hand, consider it to be burdensome labor. They look forward to it about as much as they do a trip to the dentist. Now obviously, like anything else, gardening isn’t for everyone, and the people who don’t like it probably won’t do it. For the others, however, the difference may be in the hand gardening tools they use. Any job you do is going to be less enjoyable if you don’t have the proper tools. There are many options available when it comes to hand gardening tools, but some are definitely better than others.
What Does Ergonomic Mean?
The term ergonomic simply means that something is designed with a person’s safety and comfort in mind. In the case of hand gardening tools, you can see how important this can be. Tools that are ergonomically designed will have all of the functionality of any other tool, but they will also add a comfort and ease of use that the others do not offer. Some of these added features are quite simple, but the results will be quite noticeable.
Technological advances over the last several years have led to the development of many power gardening tools that have taken the place of the more traditional hand gardening tools. Many people, however, still enjoy the feeling and satisfaction they get from working the ground with the older style tools.
When choosing ergonomic hand gardening tools, there are a few things to keep in mind. Make sure you choose tools with comfortable grips. Larger grips with indentations for finger placement are much more comfortable and easy to hold on to. Tools with longer handles will also save your back by keeping you from constantly bending over. Telescopic handles are also useful, and can allow you to work at many different angles and distances.
Many tool manufacturers offer complete lines of hand gardening tools that are specially designed for the purpose of being ergonomically correct. Instead of bending down on your hands and knees, there are special weed pullers that allow you to stand up, which greatly reduces back strain. More and more hand gardening tools are being designed with special handles to allow for the proper hand and finger alignment.
Some other common items that many people do not consider tools are gloves, stools and others. Hand surgeons have designed special gardening gloves that have extra padding in the areas that experience the most pressure and stress. They will not only prevent callouses, but they also reduce soreness in certain areas from repetitive use. Several different gardening wrist wraps are also available to prevent strain on that area of the body. Using some kind of stool or seat that allows you to sit instead of kneeling will lessen the strain on your knees as well as your back.
Investing in some of these hand gardening tools and accessories will improve your health as well as the quality of your work. If you’re more comfortable you can concentrate better on what you’re doing instead of the pain in your back and arms.
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I agree that as gardeners often neglect paying attention to the tools we use and the motions and techniques we use while we garden. We’re too focused on the plants and forget about our personal well-being.
Ergonomic tools, in my lexicon, are those with a handle long enough so we can use it with our back straight and our knees bent in a pulling, rocking motion. I’ve been writing about gardening and fitness since 1992 and I’m very specific about what is a good, ergonomic tool and what isn’t. The AM Forged Handy Weeder is a good ergonomic gardening tool. It’s 18 inches long, is used with a pulling motion and is long enough to use without stooping over. The garden weazel, with a 44 inch handle is a very bad tool. It’s virtually impossible to use without straining your back. Also it’s most effective when pushed into the ground versus pulled. And you cannot push a tool using your legs with a handle that is 44 inches — unless you’re a hobbit. Handles 60 - 72 inches are best — although difficult to find.
Foam handles are a good idea but less than 10% of the ergonomic equation.
A trowel with a foam handle is still not a very good ergonomic tool. Poking or stabbing at the ground, with the small muscles of your arms and shoulders is not effective, ergonomic or aerobic. It will only lead to sore wrists, arms and shoulders. There are better ways to dig a hole. Use a post-hole digger, a long-handled shovel, an auger or use the Forged Handy Weeder (using a pulling motion).
Although I’ve been promoting this new way of gardening, few are aware of it. Use a long-handled tool, use a pulling motion, bend your legs, with your knee over your foot and either rock or scoot your body, using your legs to power the tool. Give it a try. The difference in how you feel on Monday will be dramatic.
Visit my website http://www.getfitthroughgardening.com and view the videos. Practice the stances and techniques shown. Take it slow and be sure to stretch your legs and groin before you start. Only use them for short periods at first because the motions resemble an aerobics or martial arts class more than any traditional gardening you’ve seen.
Jeffrey Restucio, Author, Get Fit Through Gardening