Garden and Get Fit
Early spring is a prime time for getting your garden foundation in good shape. If you approach your taskes like a workout – using proper techniques, alternating light and heavier activities and making sure to stretch before beginning – you can shape up both your yard and your body. Hedge trimming, for example, helps shapes your biceps; raking and mowing help strengthen arms and shoulders and tone abdominal muscles; digging and squatting to move or lift objects can help firm up thighs and buttocks.
Experts recommend 30 to 60 minutes of exercise before taking a break or stopping for the day. Here are the estimated calories expended by various garden chores:
Digging and shoveling: 250 calories
Lawn mowing: 195 calories
Weeding: 105 calories
Raking: 100 calories
So…
Strap yourself in and dig
The Wearable Garden Stool
You won’t forget where you left your stool with this hands-free invention. The Wearable Garden Stool might look like something out of a Gary Larson cartoon, but it makes it easy to move around the yard and garden and always have a stool right where you want it. The seat is made of sturdy co-polymer with molded-in holes for easy adjustment or replacement of harness straps.
Wearable Garden Stool
Soft nylon harness with snap-on lock, pedestal leg adjusts in height from 13 to 18 inches and has a coil spring at the bottom for a firm anti-slip base.
Price: $49.99
www.cleanairgardening.com
Mow, mow, mow that slope
Brill Luxus 38 Manual Reel Lawnmower
Before trimming grass became a noisy, toxic and testosterone-powered weekend competition, there was just the quiet and satisfying whir of a manual lawnmower being pushed along. Get back to basics with the Brill Reel mower. The silent cut design reduces friction and cuts the grass as sharply as a pair of scissors. The flame-hardened, welded steel blades won’t need sharpening for 10 years. So light you can hang it on the garage wall.
Brill Luxus 38 Mower
Five blades, 17 pounds, 8-inch-diameter wheels, sealed bearings, two-year manufacturer’s warranty
Price: $199.99
www.cleanairgardening.com
Step lively
Lawn Aerator Shoes
Walk your way to a greener landscape with handy strap-on Lawn Aerator Shoes. Lawns receive a lot of traffic, which compacts the soil over time, Just a normal walking pace with the Aerator Shoes plunges 10 long spikes on each sandal over an inch into the ground, loosening the soil to create passages that allow air, water and nutrients to reach the root system. A good alternative for older gardeners or others who have problems using heavy tools.
Lawn Aerating Shoes
Universal fit goes over any size shoe or boot, simple strap adjustment, thick footplate for strength, front toe kick knocks off dirt/grass build-up, heavy gauge straps stay tight on your foot.
Price: $16.99
www.cleanairgardening.com
Heart-healthy hoeing
Heart Hoe and Ripper
It’s no easy task edging flowerbeds or borders, unless you have a tool like the Heart Hoe. Its unique heart shape is designed to cut a pattern, remove sod and dig planting holes. To quickly remove the grass and weeds, use the companion Ripper tool. The steel tines slide under the roots just below the surface and get out grass, roots and all. Made in USA.
Heart Hoe and Ripper (four-tine) blades, five-foot interchangeable handle.
Price: $49.50
http://hearthoe.com
Limbs and Branch removal
Black & Decker Cordless Chainsaw
There comes a time when power tools are the best answer to bigger outdoor jobs. Not meant for felling trees, this lightweight chainsaw will work great on tree limbs and branches blown down by winds or storms. And, it’s powered by non-polluting batteries. Be sure to wear goggles and gloves and sturdy shoes for protection.
Black & Decker 18-volt chainsaw
Lightweight, wrap-around handle, lock-off switch, standard 19-volt battery pack.
Price: $109.99
www.target.com
