20 Minute Gardening

Our weeds are flourishing in the garden. My eyes see the beauty of the Pansies, and then I grimace when I see the purple Henbit blowing in the breeze. Henbit first became my nemesis when we lived in Kansas, and our garden under the mailbox turned purple every year.  

The mailman once explained to me that the pioneers enjoyed the Henbit for its food and beauty. I replied that I really did not plan to eat it any time soon.  Shortly after that discussion Jack and I were driving down country roads on a warm spring day gazing at the shades of green growing crops, when suddenly a massive field a purple exploded on the horizon. My jaw dropped in awe. Imagine the wagons driving over these hills of central of Kansas and seeing purple from hill to hill. 

For an informative blog on eating Henbit check out Henbit uses.

However, I digress. I will enjoy purple weeds at the park from now on but not in my garden.  Consequently, I hit upon the idea of twenty minute weed pulling this spring. I know that I tend to overdue projects and end up straining my back and hamstrings.  

That is why I have adopted the 20 Minute Gardening idea. First, assemble the supplies: a plastic table cloth for throwing weeds into; gloves to protect my tender hands (from washing and cleaning the house with Clorox and water); digging tools; knee pad; plus set a timer on the phone for 20 minutes. In the beginning, I returned all items used to their place in the garage, but now I've found it saves time to keep them together in a bucket or wrapped in the cloth. Most importantly for me is to select a small area where I can make a difference visually. I will tend to the hidden weeds last. 

Start the timer and dig away. Twenty minutes did not take me to the end of the entrance, but I stayed with the timer and felt no pain afterwards. 






The next project I learned a most valuable lesson. Since I am not able to attend the Yoga and Tai Chi classes during this temporary stay at home mode, I realized that I need to stretch every chance I get.

Henbit in a rose garden. 

I thought this small garden offered a better view of what can be done in twenty minutes. I see this garden every day out the kitchen window and can't wait to see the iris and yellow rose bushes in bloom.

With this twenty minute gardening project I added stretching during the dig and then plenty afterwards. So allow at least ten to twenty minutes for back health.

The most relaxing stretch for me when I am on my hands and knees is to practice cat/cow, a yoga stretch.  How to move like a cat and cow properly. 

When I stand to move to another location I now bend at the hips to touch my toes and pretend that my back-end is up against a wall. I can touch my toes only because I have been stretching for years. Do not push yourself to touch the toes if it hurts. Hurt is not good at any time.

I also like to walk like the turtle doves in heat walk on our fence (my explanation for this bizarre walk). I can hear them gurgle and chuckle in my ears. 

https://literallyletty.blogspot.com/2019/01/younger-longer-finding-balance.html

It is simple: place one leg in front heel down, bend at the waist like while reaching for your toes, take the step, and gently pull up with the core muscles tight then step forward with the other leg, repeat the turtle dove love walk until the hamstrings are refreshed. 

Just imagine getting fit and healthy while weeding the garden.