Athough it’s only frosty February and the gardening season seems far into the future, realistically that time is just around the corner. Many gardeners begin venturing outdoors in late February or early March.

Looking at the Midwest landscape in February, it seems impossible that in just a couple of short months we will be surrounded by verdant shades of green, displays of dazzling colors and appealing textures, and of course, untold numbers of songbirds.

Now while the cold winds blow and snow is piled up outdoors is an excellent opportunity to get your gardening body in shape and to be sure that your tools are in good shape too. Although being in good physical shape at the beginning of gardening season may not ensure that you will not suffer from back strain or sore muscles, why not give yourself a head start? And remember those trowels, spades, and trimmers that have been stored in a shed during these long winter months. They could probably use a bit of tender loving care so that they too will be ready for the season.

Whether you are beginning an exercise or toning program, it’s always a good idea to first consult your physician or health care provider. Having a candid conversation with your doctor is not about warning him that you’ll most likely be in again begging for super-strength pain pills, but rather determining how much physical activity is right for you.

If you decide on a light, moderate, or intense shaping-up regimen, be careful and proceed with caution and common sense. After all, a couch potato cannot be transformed into an amazon overnight.

To get into good gardening shape, stretches and stretching exercises are a good starting point. If you have not been physically active during the winter, start slowly. Do just a few stretches and toning movements initially, and then move into more rigorous activity. It will not be good for you or your garden if you begin the season with an injury that will haunt you for months.

The number one complaint among gardeners is backache. Because gardening requires much stooping and bending, our backs seem to be the first to suffer. And remember that soreness in the back of your thighs? Don’t forget about this when planning an exercise strategy.

Of course, there is nothing like walking for toning the body and providing an overall sense of well-being. Walking works so many muscles and is considered such a good exercise that a lot of us walk daily. Now is the perfect time to park your car farther away from the office door or the entrance of the shopping mall.

Don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids including water. Although it seems oversimplified, walking and water are two important elements for getting ready for this time of year when we are so physically active outdoors. If you’ve been neglecting your fluid intake, now is a good time to “step it up.” Preparing your body for gardening season is doing yourself and your garden a really big favor.

Sunburn is a gardening injury that can be easily avoided by taking the necessary precautions. Sunburn is not only painful but damaging to the skin, and is often blamed for skin cancer. Although sunburns eventually cool themselves down and fade, that is not the end of the story. During our lifetimes, many of us abuse our skin by prolonged exposure to the sun’s not-so-kind rays. Although it does seem glorious to feel the sun on our skin and to enjoy its warmth and its vitality-giving gifts, too much of a good thing is never good.

Many gardeners expose their winter-paled skin slowly—just a short amount of time each day. Many more gardeners faithfully apply sunscreen to exposed areas of the skin. The proper and consistent use of sunscreen is a good tool. Use it.

Blocking harmful sun rays can also be achieved by wearing a hat. Be sure it’s lightweight and comfortable. Naturally, a gardening hat should also be washable. Protecting the head, particularly for those of us with more skin than hair on our heads, is essential for reducing the risk of sunburn and sun stroke. Sun stroke often results in headache and nausea and can be very unpleasant.

Protection for the arms and legs is relatively simple to achieve. Lightweight, loose-fitting shirts with long sleeves are excellent choices, and linen or light cotton pants are good options. Fabrics such as linen or 100% cotton allow the skin to breathe while blocking harmful burning rays. Now is not the time to wear polyester! Polyester does not allow air to cool the skin and it doesn’t soak up perspiration.

While you’re getting yourself in good condition, don’t neglect those all-important gardening tools. If you properly cleaned and stored those tools at the end of last year’s gardening season you should pat yourself on the back. If, on the other hand, you simply tossed them onto a shelf or into a drawer and forgot about them, there might be rust and dirt waiting for you. Whether those tools were cleaned or merely put out of sight, they will need a certain amount of maintenance before they’re used again. Checking their condition, looking for loose parts, and examining them for rust and other damage is the first step. What to replace is also important. Even though some tools have been well-cared for, most tools do not last forever.

It’s time to hop off the couch and do some stretches and exercises so that you will be in good physical condition for the upcoming gardening season. Remember to start slowly, be considerate of your body, drink plenty of water, and begin counting the days until we will all be back outdoors in the sunshine. Have fun!

Editor’s Note: Sharon has been a master gardener since 2003 through Iowa State University. She lives on a small farm in southwest Iowa, and she looks forward to sharing her passion for gardening each month with her green-thumbed reader friends.