I’m mowing my lawn now two times each week and I seem to always pay for it the next morning. I have a lot of leg pain in the mornings.

Over exertion and soreness take much of the pleasure out of early spring gardening. Below are a few tips that may make gardening efforts less painful.

• Take time to stretch before strenuous work. Stretch and warm up before entering when battling weeds and planting.

• Be sure to take frequent breaks. During hot and humid weather, it is important to take breaks and drink plenty of water.

• Use labor-saving devices. Ergonomically correct tools are great for those with a touch of arthritis. Knee pads work wonders for the kneecaps, reducing strain from tasks that require constant bending.

• Maintain tools for maximum ease. Gardening tools should be sharp and in good shape.

• Protect your skin. Wear a hat when working outdoors. Broad-brimmed hats reduce the chance of melanoma (skin cancer) to the face, neck, ears and neck. Sunscreens are beneficial in reducing harmful rays of the sun. Use sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Use sunscreen even on hazy or overcast days.

• Consult your doctor. Sore muscles and aches may be quelled with over-the-counter pain relievers, but you may want to have a doctor’s evaluation if the pain is persistent. Physical exertion coupled with extreme temperatures could spell trouble. So, talk to your physician to make sure you’re OK for gardening exercise

• Have a realistic plan. Do not try to achieve impossible goals. Save the Herculean tasks for times when you have ample help or are in good shape.

Darrell Blackwelder is the retired County Extension Director with horticulture responsibilities with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County.