Specialty Ergonomic Garden Tools for Gardeners with Arthritis ~
Gardening can be enjoyed by almost everyone, young or old, weak or strong, able-bodied or handicapped. Gardening can be as vigorous or easy-going an activity as you choose. As you grow older or your physical abilities change, there is no need for you to stop gardening. Ergonomic garden tools and gardens may be modified to help ease stress and strain and allow you to continue to participate in your favorite leisure activity.
Research shows that gardening 30-45 minutes daily has vital health benefits. But when gripping a handle or bending over is a strain, it's no fun. With the right garden tools, today's gardeners can meet the challenge.
Choosing the Right Ergonomic Garden Tool for Your Hands
You can purchase special gardening tools or you can adapt standard ones. If you adapt tools, keep these considerations in mind:
- Length of handle-longer handles extend reach and improve leverage.
- Weight-choose lightweight blades and handles.
- Special function or adaptability of the tool-ergonomic designs promote natural body positions.
- Comfort-look for foam-padded handles to provide a cushion.
For most gardeners, long-handled and lightweight tools are preferable to those with short, thick, and heavy handles. The extra long handles and light weight reduce stress on weak backs, and enable you to work longer without tiring.
For some people short-handled tools can be preferable. Short-handled tools can provide leverage and practicality for wheelchair-bound or seated gardeners. Extra thick handles can aid arthritic hands or hands with weak grips. An easy way to thicken the grip of a tool is to add foam padding or layers of tape to its handle.
For those with no hand grip, a universal cuff can be used. It attaches to the arm or forearm, and allows a lightweight tool to be attached. A double-handled grip can be purchased to add to your regular hoe or other tool, enabling you to use both hands and reduce pressure on your back.
Specialty Tools for Special Needs
Short-handled Swan Neck: lets you perform delicate weeding jobs with the precision and ease of a full-sized hoe; easy to maneuver in closely planted areas; great for raised beds and window boxes.
Kneeling Pad: prevents aching joints, wet knees, and compacted soil.
Hand tools with trigger-grip handles and rounded-out thumb rests: virtually indestructible; never rusts, bends, or breaks; rubberized coating makes them easier and more comfortable to hold; bright color makes them easy to locate.
Easy Wheeler or Scooter: small enough to maneuver down short paths but strong enough to carry a bale of hay; sturdy handle offers support; weighs only 12 pounds.
Flower Gatherer: will cut flowers, remove thorns, and crush stems, for either right-or left-handed use.
Long-reach Pruner: trigger-grip action, very lightweight aluminum; five feet long; good for difficult-to-reach areas. Pruners also are sporting lightweight aluminum shafts, with handles that rotate to the best cutting angle.
Some hoes feature a second handle, which can be attached in a position that is just right for each person, so that you can keep your wrist in a more natural position."
Gardeners now can choose from a selection of watering cans with a long-reach spout or watering wand designed to eliminate leaning or bending over.
Rakes and hoes show off adjustable length handle, angled handles with cushion grips and dual edges.
Knee pads and kneeling cushions help to soften the hardest jobs.
Bulb planters feature long handles and are perfect for planting bulbs, vegetables, seedlings and small shrubs. A simple twisting action forces out of the core of earth leaving a clean hole. Works best in damp or fairly moist soil.
Adapting Your Garden
Raised beds and boxes, or containers enable gardeners with limited space or limited mobility to continue growing flowers and vegetables. The ideal height for a bed for seated or wheelchair gardeners is two feet; the width can also be two feet if it is accessible from one side only, or can be increased to four feet so you will be able to work from both sides. For those who are unsteady but ambulatory, a height of 12” to 18” gives added support.
Raised beds can be constructed from many different materials. Some that are frequently used are railroad ties, stones, concrete, brick, pressure-treated lumber, and stacked tires.
Large containers also allow for vertical gardening and require less space for areas such as patios and balconies. Flue tile, drainage pipes, oak whiskey barrels and stacked tires are all containers which can be used for gardening. Consider adding self watering containers to your container garden to reduce the time required for watering.
When selecting containers for gardening, consider their durability, stability, size, cost and adaptability. They should be a comfortable working height, allowing for sitting, standing, or leaning gardeners. Also consider the overall design of your garden and the cost of materials.
Finally, don’t forget window boxes. They are an easy way for many people to enjoy gardening while brightening up their homes, and there is a large selection available at most gardening centers and nurseries.
