After all, as far as hobbies go, it lacks the physical contact of recreational sports and certainly doesn't have the same inherent danger as off-road biking or spelunking.

 But believe it or not, when you're out in the garden this summer there are a whole host of things that you should be aware of that could, if not properly managed, have a negative impact on your health.

 As Health Canada observed in a recent report on healthy living, the overexertion associated with gardening can be a serious issue that would-be gardeners need to remind themselves of at the start of each season.

 Repetitive strain and stress on the body from bending over and tilling, tending to beds, weeding, pruning and other activities can occur if you concentrate on one activity for too long.

 Instead of risking incurring such repetitive stresses, try to make sure that you move on a regular basis, changing activities and positions.

 You should also be careful when moving bags of mulch, fertilizer or heavy equipment. Try to lift with your knees - not your back - or in tandem with a helper in the garden to make sure you don't strain a muscle.

 At the same time, you can also become overexerted due to overexposure to the sun and heat.

 You can help avoid heat stroke or other similar serious issues in the warmth of the spring and summer sun by wearing light, well-ventilated clothing and, whenever possible, working in the shade.

 Don't be afraid to set up a parasol over your work area to provide the shade you need to work in, if the ground you're tending to is in an area that is normally exposed to open and direct sunlight.

 As always, when you're working outside, be sure to apply sunscreen liberally with an SPF suited to your skin tone.

 And the best way to avoid the sun is, of course, to make plans to do your gardening during non-peak sun hours - that is outside of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 Beyond natural dangers, some gardeners also prefer to incorporate power tools into their gardening and yard-grooming initiatives.

 Most everyone with their own home, for instance, uses a lawn mower.

 But using a lawn mower under the wrong conditions can prove extremely hazardous.

 Slips and falls on slopes or wet grass can be extremely dangerous, so it's always important to stay aware of the environment in which you're working.

 If your lawn mower clogs, make certain that the mower is off and the blade no longer moving before attempting to unclog the mower.

 Ride-on lawn mowers can also be dangerous - never have more than one person on a ride-on mower and, again, keep the slope of the land you're mowing at no more than 15 degrees. Always mow side to side on a slope, and never up and down, regardless of the kind of mower you're using.

 And, for the sake of your ears, when operating any outdoor maintenance equipment, from mowers to saws to weed whackers, you should always give serious consideration to wearing protective ear equipment.

 According to Health Canada, prolonged usage of such outdoor equipment without proper hearing protection can lead to gradual and permanent hearing loss.

 Ultimately, like any other activity, when it comes to gardening, you have to be aware of the risks as well as the rewards.

 And, when carefully managed, the threats posed by equipment or nature or even yourself can be minimized, thus ensuring that you get the greatest possible reward out of your gardening experience.