Wheelchair Gardening
A garden can be your quiet haven. Taking the time out of your day to tend to your flowers or harvest vegetables can ease stress and allow you time for absolute peace and quiet. Gardening is a hobby for some and a passion for others. Being confined to a wheelchair shouldn't prevent you from enjoying what you may think is one of life's grandest pleasures. With the right tools in the right space, it doesn't have to.
When gardening in your wheelchair, a few tricks can make it very enjoyable. Most people think that gardening means to use the ground as your canvass. One alternative to ground gardening is 'raised bed' gardening. You can purchase special flower boxes, which can be very fun to decorate, and place seeds and plants in them. Raised bed gardening can be as simple as placing a plywood box on a table. This type of gardening eliminates unnecessary bending. If you don't like the look of raised beds, try hanging pots or a vertical surface such as a trellis.
Customized hand tools can save you time and energy in the garden. You can find most standard garden tools in modified versions that can be attached to your arm for easier gardening. From trowels to hoes, a simple forearm attachment can make all the difference. This style of tool lessens the energy needed to grip and takes unnecessary strain off your hand and wrist. They are lightweight, but just as durable as other tools on the market. If grip is a problem for you, also consider a glove with strong, sticky palm. These gloves can be a cheap alternative to buying new tools.
If you are maintaining a garden in the ground you can attach garden tools to poles for extended reach. Extended reach tools may not be much help when planting a ground garden, but they can be very useful in maintaining one.
There are magazines, websites and books dedicated to accessible gardening. Gardening in a wheelchair may seem like a daunting task at first, but with a little research and drive you can grow the garden of your dreams right in your own backyard.
