For many people, planting a garden is a great way to have fresh food to eat while also getting out into the fresh air and getting closer to the food that you’re eating. However, if you’re an older person that can’t move around as you once did but still wants to be able to garden, you’ll be glad to know that there are things that you can do to make gardening tasks easier on you.
To help you see how this can be done, whether you’re gardening in your retirement community or in the backyard of your home, here are three tips for caring for your garden with limited mobility.
Plant In Raised Beds
Rather than planting in the ground directly, something that can make it easier for many people is to plant in a raised bed.
For people who have a hard time getting around, having to crouch down, bend over, or kneel on the ground can be very challenging if not impossible. But if you can bring the plants up higher to you, this could ease a lot of your problems.
If you’re able to, you can buy or build raised planting beds in large boxes. But if you don’t have the ability to get these or have less space to work with, planting in garden boxes, pots, or planters can work just as well for you.
Use Tools To Make Things Easier
Part of your mobility issues might make it hard for you to use your hands, arms, and upper body as you could in the past. So if this is something you’re struggling with, you may want to consider getting some new gardening tools that ease this strain on you.
For people that can’t hold onto their garden tools tightly anymore, adding some foam padding to the handles can make those tools easier to use now. Additionally, you can look for tools that have extenders so that you don’t have to move your upper or lower body as much to still get the gardening tasks done that you need.
Set Up The Right Irrigation
When you’re having a hard time getting around your garden, even getting out to water can be too much on some days. So to help ensure that your plants are getting the water they need despite how you might be feeling each day, you may want to get an irrigation system set up.
Irrigation systems can be as simple or as complicated as you’d like. If you want, you can hire someone to set up a system for you. But for those who aren’t interested in this, stringing up a hose that drips in the right places throughout the day can be just as effective.
If you have limited mobility but you still want to be able to work in your garden, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you learn how this can be accomplished.
