How to garden from a wheelchair
Gardening is a wonderful activity that people from all walks of life enjoy. A garden full of fresh fruits and vegetables and/or beautiful blooms can instill a sense of pride in gardeners and turn their backyards into colorful, peaceful respites.
Anyone with the will to do so can plant their own garden, and that includes people who use wheelchairs. Gardening from a wheelchair may present some unique challenges, but such obstacles are no reason for wheelchair-using gardening enthusiasts to steer clear of this rewarding activity.
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation offers the following tips to gardening enthusiasts who use wheelchairs.
Match the garden to the gardener’s abilities
The Reeve Foundation notes that trying to push beyond their limits can affect how much individuals enjoy gardening. Address issues that may impair how folks can function in the garden, such as accessibility. For example, if the garden is far away from the physical structure of the home, gardeners with physical disabilities may feel exhausted by the time they get to the garden, which can affect their productivity and progress. Prior to starting a garden, consider the potential that such issues may arise; then try to build a garden that makes it easy to overcome them.
Consider raised beds
The Reeve Foundation highly recommends raised beds for anyone gardening from a wheelchair. When designing such beds, make sure they are narrow so they can be conveniently accessed from a wheelchair.
Consider hanging baskets
Hanging baskets can also be a great option for anyone gardening from a wheelchair. Hanging baskets can provide aesthetic appeal inside and outside of a home, and such baskets can be accessed with a pulley system that makes it easy for gardeners to prune and water plants.
Use specialized tools
The online medical resource Verywell Health notes that various manufacturers have recognized there is a market for adaptive gardening tools. Such tools make it easier for people in wheelchairs to indulge their passion for planting. Adaptive tools such as trowels, cultivators and hoes can make it easier for gardeners to perform all the standard gardening tasks. Ergonomic adaptive gardening tools can help gardeners avoid the joint pain that can arise from using more traditional, nonergonomic tools.
Make it a team effort
Gardening with a loved one can make the hobby even more enjoyable for anyone, including people gardening from their wheelchairs. Seniors can garden alongside their grandchildren and/or friends who also have mobility issues, ensuring that no one gets too tired or falls behind. Anyone can enjoy gardening, and that includes people in wheelchairs.