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Gardening for the physically disabled means easy accessibility

Joanne Taylor's photo
Philadelphia Gardening Examiner

Photo by Joanne Taylor - Bryn Mawr Rehab.- Horticultural Therapy Center - Raised Beds
While a wide range of health problems (including emphysema, blindness, spinal damage, partial paralysis, and loss of a limb) may limit a person’s ability to perform garden activities that are taken for granted by the common gardener, these conditions need not stop anyone from gardening altogether. The disabled gardener just has to discover a more suitable method of gardening. 
 
The elements needed to make gardening accessible to the disabled are as follows:  

For those in a wheelchair, user-friendly tools are now available with short handles, for easier cultivating, weeding, and planting. There are many lightweight tools on the market that lessen the strain on the back, joints, and muscles. 

For those who use walkers, canes, or wheelchairs, it is especially important to have smooth, non-skid ramps or paths that are wide, firm, and flat so they can have safe access to their gardens.  

To reduce hauling, gardeners can store heavy materials, such as potting soil, in wheeled trashcans. Tools can be transported in wagons, backpacks, or even in wheelchairs by way of a side attachment. 

Weeding and watering should be made to almost take care of themselves. Mulch and groundcover decrease the need to water and weed, and if the gardener must water, sprinkler systems work best. If a hose is needed, make sure it’s lightweight. 

Large planters that stand at least three feet off the ground, high enough to allow an easy reach from a wheelchair, are a must and should be made so there’s access completely around each pot with the ability to still reach the center. 

Raised beds with walls constructed of lumber, concrete blocks, or bricks can provide a seating ledge while working. 

Chairs and gazebos are a great addition for relaxing and admiring the world around the garden. A carefully thought out garden for the gardener with a disability compensates for his or her special interests, needs, and skills. 

A fragrant garden will help the disabled gardener to use their sense of smell 

A textured garden will help the gardener to use their sense of touch

 
For 20 more photographs of textured plants:  Click here for slideshow #2
 
Where to purchase adaptive gardening tools for the disabled: (1)
W. Atlee Burpee, 215-674-4915
Clapper's Garden Catalog, 617-244-7909
Gardener's Eden, 415-421-4242
E.C. Geiger, Inc., 215-256-6511
Smith&Hawken, 415-383-4050

 
References:
 
 
Gardening stretches not only the body, but the mind, soul and spirit. There is power in plants.  Whether digging in the dirt, planting seeds, dividing perennials, pruning, or just milling around in the garden admiring all of the hard work; all passionate gardeners know that the garden does something good for them.  The mind "veges" out so that you're only able to concentrate on the gardening task at hand.  Yet, thoughts, dreams, ideas, and goals seem to emerge and grow like a lotus flower that emerges from the mud.  There is something wonderful that stirs in the hearts and souls of every gardener; especially when their one-of-kind living and breathing masterpiece comes alive and they are able to see, touch, smell and taste the fruits of their labor. 
 

Click here for:  Gardening for Your Health 
 

 

 
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, Philadelphia Gardening Examiner

Joanne is a gardener by trade for 23 years. She's won Blue and Red Ribbon Awards in gardening competitions held by Philadelphia's Horticulture Society, has judged their City Gardens Contest, and also taught at the Philadelphia Flower Show. She is the author of "A Down to Earth Bible Study." www...

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