Gardening While Pregnant

Are you expecting a baby and worried about gardening while pregnant? Don´t be! The benefits of gardening far outweigh any potential downsides. Here are a few things to consider:

• Gardening during pregnancy is healthy and calming, and it´s a great way to stay active, but don´t take on too much right now. Focus on growing perennial plants (hopefully native) that will come back year after year with minimal intervention. If you want to grow veggies, limit the size of your garden or consider container gardening to reduce maintenance like weeding and watering. Also think about where you expect to be in your pregnancy at the end of the growing season when all of that plant matter will need to be uprooted and composted or disposed of. You may feel great right now, but let me tell you…by month 8 or 9 you will probably feel very heavy and swollen and tired (and not in the mood to think about a garden!).

• Always wear gloves in the garden to avoid soil-borne illnesses like toxoplasmosis, especially if there are stray cats in the area. There´s a good chance the cats and other wildlife have used your garden beds as a bathroom at some point, but this is to be expected. I wouldn´t focus too much energy on trying to deter wildlife. Simply wear gloves and wash your hands after gardening to minimize exposure to pathogens. Wear a face mask if you are digging up the soil and your face is a few feet from the bed to avoid inhaling pathogens.

• Raised beds and container gardens are great to minimize bending, which will become harder as you grow. If you have things planted in the ground, use long handle tools like a stirrup action hoe to keep weeds down. Another way to keep weeds at bay is to mulch with a layer of compost followed by a layer of wood chips (cedar works well) on top of that. Don´t skimp on the compost because it adds some nutrients to the soil while the wood chips decompose.

• Avoid heavy lifting. I know you are a tough cookie but this is the time to ask friends and family for help, especially when it comes to moving heavy bags of soil around. Focus more on light tasks like planting seeds, pruning, and watering. Don´t forget relaxing activities like painting garden gnome statues or creating a diy stepping stone. I have seen these craft at stores like 5 Below and Walmart.

• Consider designating a shady rest area nearby to relax in between tasks and make sure to drink plenty of water, especially on hot days. Take time to relax and enjoy your garden because soon you will be very busy!

• Once baby is here, don´t beat yourself up if you don´t have the time or energy to get back in the garden. There´s always next year or the year after that. Consider an indoor growing system like this Tabletop Hydroponic Growing System for Herbs & Vegetables to make it easier to grow herbs and veggies indoors.

I hope I put your mind at ease and gave you some good ideas to make gardening while pregnant a safe, joyful way to stay active while awaiting your little sprout!

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