Hooray! Spring is really here. The first daffodil of spring, the first robin, the first excruciating back ache…Time to revisit gardening safety.

First, make sure you’re dressed for gardening. Wear loose fitting clothing that protects you from sun and bugs. Wear flat shoes to avoid twisted ankles and pull on gloves to protect your hands from bugs, thorns and ruined manicures.

Next, make sure to slather on sunscreen and mosquito repellent. You don’t want to spend all night itching and burning.

Finally, be sure you don’t overdo heavy gardening tasks. If you are moving heavy things, you should consider wearing a back brace and using a wheelbarrow or cart to take some of the weight.

These little sparrows are so cute:

I caught this bold little cardinal just as he began to land.

Adding a bit of winter interest to your garden with one of the many winter berry producers can really make a difference. Notice how cheery and colorful this garden corner is with the crimson berries.