Reduce back strain when gardening

If you spend any amount of time gardening, you will be aware of the strain on your back, but now Spear & Jackson have released their award-winning E-Series range of gardening tools, which includes a digging spade, digging fork, border spade, border fork and an edging knife.

This revolutionary idea gives the gardener a more efficient digging tool. The E-Series are 'ergonomically advanced' gardening tools that have a 'stirrup' design that allows for a straighter, more upright position and reduced unbalancing when digging - thus reducing back strain. The 'stirrup' design also gives the optimum weight distribution at the center of the blade, delivering maximum power when digging with less muscle effort. Prices start around the £20 mark and come with an amazing 10 year guarantee, which makes the range a very good investment.

Always take care when gardening and try to consider your posture while performing strenuous tasks, kneeling and bending. Here are some top tips for minimising back pain:

• Do wear loose, comfortable, and safe clothing.

• Do keep your back straight while lifting the soil.

• Do exert force through knees.

• Dig a little at a time.

• Do take a break every 10-20 minutes.

• Consider purchasing a kneeler to help prevent knee strain.

• Don't dig continuously.

• Don't overload the wheelbarrow.

• Don't stoop or work too far in front of you.

• Don't stretch or squat with a bent back.

• Don't bend too far or twist to the side when starting the mower.

• Don't overstretch or swing Flymo's mowers from side to side.