I recently had the pleasure of hearing a local chiropractor speak to a group of enthusiastic gardeners about what he sees as their number one problem and how to prevent it from happening.  Like so many other things we do, it seems like our backs are put at risk by our activities in the yard and garden more than any other part of our bodies.  Since the back is supported by our core muscles and those muscles are in the stomach, we tend to forget that those sit ups we hate to do are causing more than our bellies to expand.

So beyond the “eat right and exercise” mantra there are a couple of thing you can do to help prevent a back injury, no matter if you are in top shape or not.  One of the most important things is to always stretch before you start working.  This is more than just touching your toes.  You will need to really stretch and bend and really warm up your body and back for some bending.  Another thing you can do is use knee pads or one of the garden seats you see today to help take the stress off your back and lower body.  I have also heard of a fellow using an exercise ball out in the yard for additional support.  Whatever it takes; you owe it to yourself to protect your back from injury.

There is something about digging in the dirt that brings tremondous joy to many of us.  There is an anticipation of spring at this time of the year that enables you to withstand the rest of the winter months.  The day may be bleak and dreary but you are able to see the sunshine threough the blue days and imagine the blooms and smells of flowers and herbs and the vegetables you plant.

Some of us are lucky enough to live in climates where you can garden almost year round and others have built or bought greenhouses so they can take advantage of some things the average gardener might not be able to.  However, that never deters someone that is in love with the earth and what she brings each and every year.  I hope you are inspired to dream about the sunny days ahead and the bounty your garden will give you this year.  We should all be able to experience the joy of gardening year round whether we can actually garden all year or not.

There are many people across the US that live in areas that have been and are still affected by drought situations.  To save water and follow local laws, many of us just stop watering our yards and plants and watch as they whither away and bake in the sun with little or no water.

While there is little you can do about some things, there are plants that you can plant in your yard that need little water to not only survive, but to thrive and bloom.  You can plant a water conservation garden and maintain a beautiful garden landscape even in drought conditions.  With a little thought and direction, we don’t have to sacrifice our yards completely in order to save and conserve water.

I remember growing up watching my two grandmother’s in their respective gardens.  They lived in totally different parts of the state but had gardening and the local garden clubs in common.  One of the favorite items that they both used was trellises.  This was also the first time I had ever seen trellises used in a vegetable garden for things like cucumbers and cantaloupe.

While one grandmother used hers mostly for flowers in her flower garden, my mother’s mother would place a trellis parallel to the ground and stake it about 4 to six inches from the ground.  This let the cucumber and cantaloupe plants roam freely throughout the trellis close to the ground and since it was staked up high enough, the fruit would either develop on top of the slats or underneath them.  I don’t think I have ever seen this anywhere else but I know it works in my garden.

Pretty much every state has an extension agency either through one or more universities and/or at the state level that can help you with your specific garden questions for your area.  Many diseases and insect issues are local or regional to your area so it is great to have this resource when you have a question that your friendly neighborhood gardening store may not be able to answer.

Another wonderful service that is provided for little or no money is soil testing.  This can take a little time so make sure you send your soil in long before you are ready to plant.  They can help you diagnose any potential problem that may be soil related and give you information as to what your soil may lack for optimum growth potential.  Most of the extension services have an online presence and you can see when and where classes are held that may cover one of your many gardening interests.  Don’t hesitate to contact your extension service and ask as many questions as you have; that’s what they are there for.

Ground cover works to insulate bulbs from the quick freezes and thaws that happen throughout the winter.  They also create a great backdrop for flowering bulbs during the spring and summer months as well as keeping mud from splashing up on the plants to keep their colors vibrant and intact.  The ground cover looks great throughout the year and covers up any ills in your yard or garden.

Some great choices in ground cover include pachysandra, creeping euonymous, ajuga, vinca and various ivy selections.  Planting cover choices that will bloom at the same time your bulbs bloom will give your yard that blast of color you normally see in the magazines.  Talk to your nursery professional to find out the best combinations in your area.

It wasn’t very long ago that my kids were giving me a lot of grief about gardening.  They just could not understand why I would want to grow my own food when I could hop in the car, run to the local grocery store and purchase what I needed.  They thought I was crazy because I always had an access and would have to figure out what in the world I was going to do with all of it, which normally meant that I would give it away.  Well time has changed.

They are now calling me and asking me for advice on gardening, freezing, canning and drying herbs.  Though I am not an expert on any one thing, I have done some of all of them.  I have recommended using the library, of which one son was floored when he found out that’s how I learned to can, suggested the internet and to buy a book on processing home grown food.  With a new baby, they have also looked into making organic baby food and to think, it all started with a garden.

I have recently been introduced to the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act that was enacted during the Clinton administration.  This act protects any donor, food bank, soup kitchen, food pantry or other group helping feed those in need, from liability.  This includes any food that is donated or distributed in “good faith” by anyone.

The reason you should be excited about knowing about this act is it enables you to give your garden overflow to those in need.  In fact, fresh produce is the most difficult and most needed items for food pantries and food banks to get their hands on and to stock.

If you have ever thought you wanted to be a part of the solution and didn’t know how, here is your chance.  Contact your local food bank and find out when and where they are collecting and take and donate your surplus produce.  If you don’t have a local food bank contact Second Harvest Food Bank as it is one of the largest food banks in the US.  Happy donating!