gardening with arthritis

I've been asked to participate in a presentation to an Arthritis Society on accessible gardening. I do not have arthritis ( I do have ageing joints especially knee and hips but my hands are fine.) A few years ago I put in raised veggie beds so I dont have to get down on my knees to plant anymore and they are wonderful. Anyway what I want to ask is if those of you who garden with arthritis have favorite tools or other items or methods that particularly help you garden. I know there are lots of tools out there but what I am looking for is personal experiences and recommendations . Your assistance is much appreciated.
The presentation isnt until May but the co-presenter and I are starting to gather material and will be starting to plan our presentation later this month

carol

I have severe arthritis and can not garden and weed like the normal, healthy people out there. I use Earthboxes as I do not have to weed and worry about overwatering and over fertilizing. The boxes are about 15" off the ground and you can learn more about these by going to the container forum.
Also I use the garden scooter advertised by Gardeners Supply. It gets me around the garden so I can work.

Thanks Tplant. What about your hands? What kind of tools do you use?
I need lots of info.

Tplant, there is a tractor-seat scooter now that has turning wheels.

The arthritis in my hands & wrists comes and goes. I like to use a "ho-mi" for weeding and cultivating. I use the short handled one for weeding while seated and the long-handled one for making furrows.

This message was edited Feb 13, 2006 10:32 PM

Fancyvan --- Because of no weeding the only tools I ever need is a small trowel and sometimes a pruner but rarely. I only use the trowel when planting in the EBs but even then the soil is so soft it feels good on my hands that I really don't need it. The earthboxes can be placed on cinder blocks or trolley if on concrete or on a wooden palates. As Yuska mentions Gardeners has the Garden Scooter that has a large tracter seat that even fits my butt and you can steer it. I have the old one but will buy the new version shortly after my upcoming surgery of 3/1.

Fancyvan, I just bought this "Bigger Digger" and I am so pleased with it. I have had Arthritis for years and I find the handle is large enough to be comfortable in my hand. I hate those little slim handles you have to squeeze to hold on to (ouch!) http://www.garden-trowel.com/

I just had a knee replacement, so I can sit in a lawn chair and dig my holes. Having the arms on the chair helps me stand up again, otherwise I'd have to have a fork lift standing by. LOL

It is extremely well made and would be a little heavy to work at arms level, but sitting, and letting your arm down to dig, it's perfect! Our soil here has a lot of sand so it's fairly easy to dig.

Good luck on your presentation.
Pati

Carol, I have a bad lower back and an arthritic left hip and my favorite tool to use in the garden is my Garden Claw. It's great for mixing in compost and fertilizer and you don't have to bend to use it. I underwent open heart surgery and was restricted from heavy activity but the Claw made it easy for me to cultivate the soil before planting. I highly recommend it. I even bought one for my sister's birthday and she loves it. www.gardenclaw.com

thanks folks. Since I dont have arthiritis I need lots of info.

I recently developed back and leg problems. I got this kneeler and I think I'm going to like it

Karen

http://www.gardeners.com/Garden-Kneeler/default/35-662.prd

Fancyvan

Can you share with us what your presentation will be about? I have cancer/chemo related fatigue which requires me not getting down and up a whole lot. Any arthritis gardening remedies would help me too!

Well I am not the lead presenter and I dont have her notes but at the moment she is going to start by talking about the kinds of limitations arthritis can cause - probably with audience participation and then I am going to present on different ways to continue gardening - containers, raised beds, vertical gardening and then we will talk about gardening aids.

I am collecting pictures of lots of different types of garden tools specifically made for people with handicaps, especially hands and arms so we can direct people to sources for them such as Lee Valley . I am particularly hunting for sources in Canada.

Karen/kqcrna: I actually have that kneeler/stool myself for the past couple of years and i love it.

Pati/patischell: That is my favorite tool also only here it is called a Ho Mi digger.

Does anybody garden in boxes that are raised up on tables so a wheelchair would fit under? I need a pic!

For those of you who may have physical problems doing tradtional gardenening, you may want to try straw bale gardening. I tried it last year and it works great.

I've posted a how-to guide in this Forum and the Vegetable Garden Forum.

Regards and have a blessed day,

Kent Rogers
Deputy Sheriff
Wake County, NC

This message was edited Mar 20, 2006 12:44 PM

This message was edited Mar 20, 2006 4:41 PM