At this time of year, landscaping enthusiasts in cold climates are desperate to see plants growing outside -- any plants at all. Why, I'd be glad to see even a weed growing in the yard right now.

Of course, this attitude won't last past May. By then weeding season will have returned. And as if weeding weren't enough of a pain in the neck, figuratively speaking, weeding can also bring on back pain. Talk about adding insult to injury (or should that be "injury to insult"?)!

"Weed control is not only a matter of pulling, but also of strategy," notes Anne Asher, About's Guide to Back and Neck Pain. Follow Anne's weeding strategies to reduce the strain on one's back often caused by weeding.