Gardening Lessons From Gracie

Written By: Debby Hall | Issue: March 2025 | Photograph By: Susan Renfro

As some of you may know, my sweet canine companion Gracie tore her CCL this past holiday season. If you are unfamiliar, and I hope you are, this is the equivalent of an ACL in a human. A very painful injury that can cause pain, instability, and lameness in the affected leg. In simple terms, it is a dreaded injury for any active pup.

Why am I writing about this, you ask? I want to share this as a reminder of how vulnerable we are to injury as we garden to our heart’s content. Not much contentment when you are nursing an injury, whether it’s minor or one that requires surgery.

As one of the “diggers” for the Mountain Garden Club, I can attest to how hard it is on your body to hang off the side of a mountain going for the coveted plant to dig, pot, and then sell at our Memorial Day sale!

Just like Gracie who most likely tore her CCL with a sudden movement, human gardeners can also suffer unexpected injuries. Gardening can sometimes involve heavy lifting, bending, or repetitive motions, all of which can strain muscles, ligaments, or joints. Whether you’re digging, lifting, or reaching for tools, it’s easy to make a sudden wrong move that can lead to injury. And if anyone under 30 is reading this, it can happen to you, too!

Lesson 1: Always warm up before starting heavy work and take breaks. Stretching and easing into our gardening tasks can reduce strain and prevent overexertion. Side note: I’ll share the short version of my eagerness to play tennis again after a pause from my college days. No warm up and let’s end it with; I was on crutches for 6 weeks. Ouch!

Since I was not outside when Gracie was playing with her friend, I can only assume she injured her knee due to a wrong move or a twist of the leg. In gardening, improper posture or technique (like bending at the waist instead of the knees) can result in back, knee, or joint injuries.

Lesson 2: Focus on body mechanics. Kneel instead of bending, use your legs for lifting heavy objects, and avoid twisting your body when moving heavy plants or objects. Use tools that reduce strain on your joints and muscles.

Just as my dog needs time to rest and recover from her injury, humans need to be mindful of overworking themselves in the garden, especially after periods of activity during the winter months. Pushing through pain or fatigue can lead to more serious injury.

Lesson 3: Pace yourself, and if you feel any strain or discomfort while gardening, take a break. Rest and allow your body to recover. If you do experience pain, don’t ignore it. Seek help or adjust your approach to gardening.

As we enjoy the winter months this may be a good time to explore simple exercises that will target strength, balance, and flexibility. Hopefully this may serve as an inspiration to get moving during these more sedentary months. We all know how rigorous gardening can be once warm weather hits!

Lesson 4: Incorporate stretching and strengthening exercises into your routine to build flexibility and strength in the muscles you use while gardening. This can include exercises for the back, shoulders, wrists, and legs to reduce the likelihood of strains or sprains.

While I don’t know exactly how my sweet girl got injured, I do know that on occasion I have tripped or slipped while gardening. Tools, rocks, or uneven ground can lead to falls or twists that can cause injuries.

Lesson 5: Keep your garden clear of obstacles, especially when it’s wet or muddy. Using non-slip shoes with good traction is a good first step. If your garden has uneven terrain, consider leveling those areas or add a pathway of pebbles to reduce trip hazards.

Gracie just turned nine, so she would be what I consider middle aged in human terms. While dogs as young as three have torn their CCL, it seems middle age to older dogs are the more common victims of this injury. What does that mean for us?

Lesson 6: Know your limitations. If you are gardening with a pre-existing condition (like arthritis), be aware of how your body feels during gardening tasks. Consider using raised beds, kneeling pads, or tools designed to be easy to use. Don’t slug it out. Those who know me hear me say this quite often; Work Smarter, Not Harder!

I hope by connecting Gracie’s injury to practices we can adopt in our own gardening habits, it serves as a reminder that preventing injury many times comes down to preparation, proper techniques, pacing, and strength. It’s important to take proactive steps to protect our bodies to ensure a long, enjoyable gardening season.

Writing this has certainly served as a reminder that I need to take my own advice. I’ll be doing a tune up this winter so I’ll be ready when we “diggers” hit the slopes!

Gracie and I wish you a happy winter season of rest and recuperation, however that looks for you.

Happy Gardening!

(with encouragement from Gracie)