This week saw the start of the BBC’s new Big Allotment Challenge six-part series, in which nine pairs of allotmenteers are put through their paces as they grow, harvest, pickle and preserve.

Having an allotment is growing more and more popular as people find pleasure in ‘growing their own’ and keeping the cost of their food costs down. Inspired by the programme, many first time allotment holders and old hands will be ready to go over the Easter period. 

The McTimoney Chiropractic Association (MCA) is advising new allotmenteers to make sure beforer theystart that their tools are right for them and to ask for advice at their local garden centre about the height of spade, hoe or fork they should be using. There are lighter ranges, long-handled ranges and those with ergonomic handles.

They have also produced the following list of hints and tips that garden centres might like to use for the benefit of customers:

• Try putting together a daily stretching programme.  Stretching increases flexibility and strength, so digging, raking or weeding becomes easier as you increase your core strength. The MCA has a useful free leaflet which shows and describes a wide range of back exercises.
• Take it steadily! Don’t try and dig the entire plot in one go. Give yourself regular breaks, say every 20 minutes.  Warm up with the gentler activities.
• Try and swap activities regularly and intersperse digging with raking or gentle weeding so you have a balance of high input activity with gentler tasks.  Also, try and swap sides regularly so you don’t do all the work on one side of your body.
• If you have a lot of watering to do, balance yourself by carrying two watering cans of roughly the same weight.  Don’t heave large bags of compost, instead use your wheelbarrow to move them.  Pick items up with bent knees and a straight back.
• Try and design an allotment with your back in mind. Raised beds are all the rage at the moment and reduce the amount of bending you need to do.
• If you do have a potting shed or greenhouse, make sure that work benches are the correct height to avoid stooping.