Five ways to lessen your workload in the garden

• Do some research and choose plants suited to your site.
• Make garden beds more accessible; islands or narrow borders save a lot of reaching and straining.
• Expand the garden only when you can comfortably maintain existing plantings.
• Mulch and mulch again. Fall leaves are free for the raking.
• Give shrubs and trees a light, annual pruning to save major severing of heavy limbs down the road.
• Exercises such as walking, swimming, yoga and tai chi translate directly into greater flexibility, limberness, strength and balance in the garden.

Read more in What to do now and Jobs in the Garden by Season