M3 PT - September 2018

PREPARE YOUR GARDEN AUTUMN STEPS FOR A BETTER SPRING GARDEN

With fall just ahead, it’s a good time to think about your spring garden. For a beautiful garden next year, begin preparing this fall. Here are a few ways to get a head start!

allows the plants to grow through the gaps in the wire.

KEEP YOUR GARDEN TIDY

PLANTING BULBS

Once you’ve harvested your best fruits and vegetables, go back through and harvest the rest, even if you don’t plan to eat them. Make sure your

If you want beautiful flowers in April, you should start planting bulbs now. Many flower bulbs need to be in the ground before winter settles in; this helps activate the bulbs’ biochemical process that allows them to bloom. Getting the bulbs into the ground before it freezes allows their roots to grow deep enough to protect them from the biting winter weather. Among the flower bulbs you should plant soon are tulips, daffodils, irises, and hyacinths.

garden is clear of old vegetables, fallen leaves, and weeds. Leaving decaying plants in or on top of the ground can spread diseases into the soil and attract unwanted pests to your garden.

HEALTHY SOIL

CHICKEN WIRE

Pulling up weeds and all of your vegetables can help keep the earth free from rotting plants, but there are other steps you can take to ensure that your soil stays full of nutrients. Pick up a kit to test the pH levels of your soil. Most gardens thrive in soil with a pH of 6.5. Add compost to your soil supply now to give it time to break down during the winter months.

After you’ve planted your bulbs, there’s a risk that uninvited guests will dig them up. There are a few ways you can ensure that your bulbs remain undisturbed throughout the fall. One way is to place chicken wire over your bulbs after they’ve been planted. This keeps rodents from digging them up and

STAY AND PLAY HOW TO AVOID SPORTS INJURIES

With both the school year and football season kicking off, we’re sure to see a great deal more sports injuries from students and backyard quarterbacks alike. While our team of pediatric and therapy professionals will always be ready to help you recover, we want to make sure you are doing all you can to avoid these injuries in the first place.

in baseball or clothesline tackles in football and rugby are fouls not because they give an unfair advantage, but because they put players at risk of serious injury. Respect the rules and ensure everyone else on the field does the same.

TAKE TRAINING SERIOUSLY

ALWAYS WARM UP

This one’s for all the weekend warriors out there. Before you play a sport, even if it’s just a pickup game in the park, you should make sure you are physically ready to do so. Much like the all- important warmup, regular exercise and a healthy diet will ensure your muscles and joints can handle the demands of the game.

No matter how hot it may still be outside, it’s important to do some simple exercises and stretches before you play any sport. This ensures your muscles and ligaments are warm and limber, which drastically reduces the risk of sprains and tears.

KNOW YOUR LIMITS

PLAY BY THE RULES

As important as staying fit is, you should not be exercising or playing sports constantly. Pushing yourself too far can increase your risk of injury significantly. Don’t be afraid to take a break every few days. Most importantly, if you experience pain while out on the playing field, stop immediately. If the pain persists, seek

As big sports fans ourselves here at M3 Physical Therapy, we’ll always advocate for fair play. But playing by the rules of your sport isn’t just about good sportsmanship — it’s also about safety for you and your fellow players. Acts like throwing the bat