That is me. I went on a marathon binge of weeding last week – the weather was so lovely and I was feeling full of zip and determination. I had missed the garden… it seemed that I was spending more time on the road and in the house and needed some of the rejuvenation of getting work done in the garden.
So work I did, so proud of myself for being able to push on and not ask anyone for help. Kneeling on stone walks, bending and twisting, and pulling (not the bend and snap of ‘Legally Blonde’ fame) created a bad mix for my body, well, for my knees to be precise. Too late I started using my kneeler stool, but the damage had already been done by that point, I think.
Vertex Garden Rocker Stool
So what is that result? for the past week I have been dealing with varying ability to even walk. And I missed out on a number of excellent gardening days. I’m trying to figure out what the lesson is…
Is it that I should work on less exercise more often, or just get in better shape, or is it more a question of needing equipment to help me work more efficiently in the garden than I needed in the past?
I’m not sure, probably all of the above. I do know there is a vast difference between the amount and type of work which was easy for me in my thirties and that which I can comfortably manage three decades later. Silly me.
One thing I do know is that my garden is too important to me to give up, and if I must adjust my work habits, that is the solution that I will pursue. I think I will get a knee brace and perhaps that “rocker stool” to ease the demand I was making on my joints.
I may be getting old, but don’t count me out, yet!
I will, however, have to ask for help in finishing up this season’s garden tasks. Fair warning, kiddos.
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© 2013 written for Ilona’s Garden Journal by Ilona E. An excellent blog.
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Have a great day,
John
Sounds like you have Gardenitice. It comes in many forms. “All OLD GOAT GARDENERS” get it sooner or later.
Old Goat is what they call me at the UNH Cooperative Extension EDUCATION CENTER & INFO LINE. There every Tuesday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM except when in Florida. Check it out. http://extension.unh.edu/Gardens-Landscapes/Education-Center-Information-Line
Have a great day,
John
…but I don’t wanna be an Old Goat or an Old Nanny or whatever…
YA but that does not mean you are not a good gardener. All old goat gardeners are great gardeners.
Have a wonderful evening,
John
Nobody wants to be an Old Goat, but we do have to make some adjustments to our gardening as we age. I’m using lower maintenance plants, and fewer different plants. You know, 9 of one plant instead of three each of three different plants. I’ve also farmed out some larger projects that I just can’t manage anymore. My biggest help has been being vigilant with mulch to keep down the weeds.