Just when all was going well.

[matthewdeller]

Having secured an allotment (in reasonable condition) a couple of weeks ago, i have managed to get my onions in and turn over a bed ready for spuds this weekend.

Then, this morning WHAM my back went again. i'm now struggling to see how any of the earth is going to get turned, a local guy has offered to do half plot for £100 - a lot of money but do i have any choice?

[matthewdeller]

[OllieC]

Many of us on here suffer with varying amounts of back pain. I've developed my digging technique so that my back barely moves - although it takes a lot of time (push in fork, push it away at the top, pull it back, lift with knees)... so there's hope!

Would I pay what amounts to £2 a week for the rest of the year to have my plot dug over? Yup!

Get well soon!

Ollie

[Old bird]

Typical fella!  Yes of course you have a choice!

Your back will get better!  You probably did too much to start with and have strained it.  Do a little bit at a time - when your back is a bit stronger - I am sure that you will live.  £100 sounds a lot of money to do something that you are going to be able to do pretty soon yourself!!

Do you have any mates?  Wife?  Girlfriend? Children parents relatives.  Use them!  Remember tho' a little bit at a time for them also!

Old Bird

;D

[antipodes]

Why don't you organize a "digging day" getting all your mates, family etc to help you, and offer them in return a lunch, drinks etc? When there are a few of you it is much more fun - last year I saw two blokes on the neighbouring lot work together to dig over and weed 50 m2 in about 3 hours. Once you get going it doesn't take long.
Perhaps some of teh others down your allotment site could help out till your back gets better? I know in the past they have offered to help me when the digging got too much but I was always too proud to accept their help  :-\

[Old bird]

You blokes are a funny lot! 

anitpodes too proud to accept help?  What is it with you blokes admitting that you have overdone the work and now have a dodgy back?

Antipodes suggestion is a good one though! 

Old Bird
::)

[cambourne7]

if your able to get around (as opposed to stuck in bed) then go to your local supermarket and collect loads of empty boxes.

Cover the beds that need digging with cardboard and black plastic till your ready for them, you can still plant stuff in pots ready to move when your backs better.

Paths can just be covered in cardboard for the time being.

Get better soon, i know what having a bad back is like. Just dont do so much next time.

Little of often wins the day.

Cam

[matthewdeller]

I have over done it - too keen thats my problem. Back is ongoing problem, had op last year. sound advice from all.

[Uncle Joshua]

I always overdo it at the allotment, my wife keeps telling me to take it easy but do us men ever listen to good advise?


Get well soon and keep the £100 in your pocket.

[manicscousers]

try to do one bed at a time and cover what you can't sort..all sound advice above, we can't dig so have to mulch  ;D
oh, and by the way, welcome to back breakers anonymous  ;D

[goodlife]

Ahh...we have all been there...too much too soon...
I learned my lesson..when the digging season/spring arrive I start with 15-3o minutes digging and same time doing something different and back digging again.. eventually you can do longer times...but keep giving you back different kind of movements regularly.,,
I doesn't hurt to do streching before and after the work out..you would not go to gym without doing it neither.. ;)
And like others have said....save your money..!!!

[Robert_Brenchley]

Don't worry; digging soon strengthens the back muscles. Give it time, do a little at a time, and cover what you can't manage. You'll soon get there.

[ipt8]

Have you tried a long handled spade. I know them as Devon spades, but they are usually the heart shaped ones. I find those difficult to dig with but I put a hazell staff on my shovell and it is so much easier to use. It must be feasable to do the same with a spade. The idea being you use the long leverage of the spade rather than the bones of your back. I would have to try it to see if it worked.

Would it be possible for someone to do it with a rotovator or cultivator for you, the thinking behind this being it must be quicker than hand digging if the soil can be worked that way.

I remember when we lived in Nuneaton, a friend who worked as a farmhand had his own small tractor and rotovator and used to do a lot of allotment holders plots for a reasoable fee. Twas quite quick with a tractor rotovator and excellant results.

Maybe someone has a mini tractor and rotovator and could do it for you, mabe local small landscaping firms or individuals for cash in hand preferably.

[star]

Welcome to the site Matthewdeller,

Go easy hun, your back is for keeps. Specially after having an op last year. I personally would go with the no dig method, I do that at home. I cant dig because of health problems and quite honestly its much better for the soil and your back.

Look after yourself first, its a good idea to have an allotment party too. Provide some beer and grub/barbie for the folk you con....er....ask to help you. They can always have your spare beans, tomatoes and courgettes. We all have far too many of those ;D ;D

[jjt]

Try getting on your knees and digging. I learnt it from working with miners and they know a bit about shovel work. Probably ruins your knees though, but you can get new ones of those. A back is for life, not Christmas.

[growmore]

We have all been there I think with the back going. Usually at the worst time possible..
Put your £100 towards a small secondhand rotovator.  Also buy a pair of knee pads for setting stuff out etc. As  jjt  says  this will save your back going ...
Hope it heals soon..

[Robert_Brenchley]

Digging on your knees is fine as long as the soil isn't compacted. if it is, and you need some weight to drive the spade in, it gets more awkward. I find a fork often works better as it goes in more easily.

[Columbus]

Hi all,  :)

Because of hip and knee pain I usually set my days digging target as a "Yard".

I dig and weed a "yard" wide strip which is enough to plant three rows of most things.

As a result my plot often looks like ridge and furrow ploughing but this idea stops me from overdoing it. I try to do some heavy work and some lighter work in a day and if theres lots of digging to do I`ll dig on successive days.

I also make good use of my wheelbarrow so I`m not doing unnecessary lifting and carrying.

Take care of yourself,

Col