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Move Around More Easily in the Garden

Experience the healthy benefits of tending a garden while using adaptive tools, making spaces to sit and creating accessible pathways

By Sandi Schwartz

Gardening provides a plethora of benefits, yet moving around in the garden can become more challenging as we age. Mobility limitations typically start in our fifties, and affect about 35% of individuals 70 and over and the majority over 85, according to research recently published in Frontiers in Physiology

A beautiful garden with a bench. Next Avenue, gardening tricks
Having a bench or chair nearby can make resting periods in between garden tasks more convenient and will encourage people to spend more time in the garden overall.  |  Credit: Zane Lee

"Mobility — our ability to move throughout our homes and communities — is an important part of staying active and independent," explains Emily Nabors, senior program specialist with the National Council on Aging (NCOA). "As we age, we experience changes in our muscular, skeletal and nervous systems, as well as changes in vision, hearing and the vestibular system that affects balance. We also experience a reduction in muscle mass and strength, processing speed and attention, and cartilage between bones."

Choosing the right tools can make all the difference in the world.

Such changes can lead to decreased strength, flexibility, balance and endurance, which can make it harder to do typical gardening tasks that involve standing for long periods of time, carrying heavy items, bending down low or reaching up high.

Fortunately, there are some helpful ways to make gardening tasks easier on the body so more people can enjoy their time outdoors even as they face challenges like joint pain, arthritis, fatigue or not being able to bend over easily.

Use Adaptive Gardening Tools

Choosing the right tools can make all the difference in the world. Fortunately, there are a variety of adaptive tools available to help simplify gardening tasks for people who find the work physically challenging. 

Christopher Barrett Sheridan, a garden writer, educator and designer known as "The Flower Sommelier," suggests buying extendible or long-handled tools to reduce bending and to get more leverage. Essentially, you want the tool to do the work for you with minimal physical effort.

Look for stand-up weeders with a claw at the end of a long handle to pull out weeds, shovels with lengthy handles, and watering wands that can be attached to a hose.

"I really love the extension sprinkler devices for hoses since watering can be done while sitting in a wheelchair," says Donna Soszynski, a certified horticultural therapist who often works with people who are 50 and older. "People love to water, so anytime you can adapt the watering system it can be helpful."

Opt for lightweight garden tools made of aluminum instead of steel.

Specially designed ergonomic tools are beneficial for preventing injuries and easing stress on muscles and joints. Experts at Oregon State University's Extension Service recommend looking for tools with curved handles for better wrist positioning and to reduce the amount of twisting needed for tasks like shoveling.

Other perks include indentations for fingers to rest easily, trigger grips with rounded-out thumbs, extra thick handles, and double-handled grips to be able to use both hands at the same time. Some tools even come with straps for those with weak hand muscles or a built-in forearm brace to reduce tension placed on wrists.

Easy grip tools are also a smart option to make gardening more enjoyable. Items made with foam padded grips are typically wider and easier to grab a hold of. If you already have garden tools at home, modify them yourself by wrapping handles with foam tubing, water pipe insulation, bicycle grips or tape used for tennis rackets or golf clubs. 

Finally, opt for lightweight garden tools made of aluminum instead of steel. Even children's garden tools can be a preferred option, especially when working in tight spaces.

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Have a Place to Sit or Kneel

Whether you have an injury, joint pain, fatigue, other types of mobility issues, or just prefer to take breaks often, it is imperative to have options for both sitting and kneeling in the garden. "Always have a place to sit," advises Soszynski. "A lot of people make gardens and forget to include a bench or something else to sit down on."

The National Gardening Association recommends taking frequent breaks every 30 minutes while working on tasks like weeding, pruning or digging holes. Having a bench or chair nearby can make resting periods in between garden tasks more convenient and will encourage people to spend more time in the garden overall. Plus, it provides a place to sit back and relax to admire the peaceful garden you work so hard on.

"A lot of people make gardens and forget to include a bench or something else to sit down on."

It is also beneficial to use a garden stool, rolling gardening chair, reversible kneeling bench, knee pads or even an upside-down bucket while gardening. These gadgets help take the pressure off joints and the back, and reduce aches and pains from bending over for long periods at a time.

Add Raised Garden Beds

Installing raised garden beds is a must-have for an accessible garden. They are ideal for planting flowers, vegetables and herbs. Sheridan advises, "I think, especially for people over 50, raised garden beds are key. Not just a foot; but 2 or 3 feet if they have the space and can afford it." They are the perfect solution for anyone who is in a wheelchair or unable to stand for long periods of time and needs to sit down while gardening.

Raised garden beds can be built at any height, allowing for customization depending on individual needs. For gardeners who are unable to kneel or lean over easily while standing, add bench seating around the planting bed.

To accommodate wheelchairs, choose a u-shaped raised bed. They can be made from a variety of durable materials, including wood, concrete block, thick pavers, metal, bricks or recycled plastic. It is best if raised beds are 3 or 4 feet wide so everyone can easily reach into the middle to tend to the plants.

Set Up Plants In Convenient Spots

Get creative with where you grow plants so you don't have to bend down or reach too far to care for them. "You want to bring scent up to you," says Sheridan. "Shrubs, wisteria and anything that's hanging or draping are good options, so definitely consider fragrant vines. Hanging baskets are also helpful because that brings the scent up to eye level, especially for people with limited mobility."

Planting in window boxes also makes it easier to grow plants and flowers without having to bend down or reach up high since they can be placed at any level.

Purchase bins or pots in a variety of sizes and materials to place on tables so gardening can be done while seated. If upper body strength is limited, opt for small, lightweight pots made from pressed paper, coir (natural fiber extracted from the outer husk of coconut) or plastic.

Vertical gardens can also be a convenient solution. Built with supporting structures, fences or trellises to bring the plants up to eye level, vertical gardens make it physically easier to garden while also saving space. Finally, planting in window boxes also makes it easier to grow plants and flowers without having to bend down or reach up high since they can be placed at any level.

Make Sure Pathways Are Stable and Clear

Being able to navigate the garden area safely is another important feature to consider. Experts at Oregon State University's Extension Service recommend designing a garden with smooth, level pathways made from concrete, asphalt, crushed stone or compacted gravel for both walking and to offer better accessibility to those using mobility devices like wheelchairs, walkers or scooters.

Make sure pathways are 3 to 5 feet wide to accommodate both mobility devices and wheelbarrows. There should also be places to easily turn these pieces of equipment around. Connect paths in a sensible way to be able to easily access all sections of the garden. Finally, keep pathways free from clutter and tripping hazards, such as hoses, tools and broken tiles.

Ramps and railings can also make it easier to get around. Place ramps where the terrain levels transition. It's also better to use gradually sloping paths as opposed to steps.

"Add railings even before you need them. They can also serve as supports for vines if trellising is included in the railing structure," suggests Sheridan.

Sandi Schwartz
Sandi Schwartz is the award-winning author of Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer and a freelance journalist specializing in home and garden, nature, sustainability. and wellness. She has been published in AARP, Yahoo NewsDwell, Success, Mother Earth News, mindbodygreen, Family Handyman, BobVila.com, and many other publications.
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