Ergonomic Garden Tools
Ergonomic Garden Tools and Gardening Ideas (ergonomic garden tools)
Gardening is something many people enjoy, but it can become difficult when you get older or if you develop hand issues such as repetitive stress injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome. Ergonomics are often spoken of when it comes to computing and setting up a home office, but it's important to consider when buying tools for around the home. Ergonomic garden tools, for instance, can take a lot of the stress off your back and hands and making gardening fun again.
Many of us, regardless of age, have health problems or mobility issues that make gardening difficult. Don’t let anyone tell you that gardening isn’t exercise. Hauling, digging, raking and tugging can easily result in aching backs, strained muscles, sore joints and even serious injuries.
It is hard to keep a good gardener down though. Gardening is so therapeutic and rewarding that a died-in-the-wool enthusiast will go to great lengths to continue doing something that they love. Think about the tools you buy but also the way you go about creating your garden.
One way to make gardening more manageable is to downsize. Instead of a huge bed in the back corner of your yard, think about window boxes and other types of containers that are easier to reach and work in. If that is a little too small for your tastes you can go a step or two further and install raised beds, table gardens or vertical wall gardens. If you are clever you can look into hanging baskets that use a pulley system to bring your plants within reach. These systems make it easier for people who have back problems, restricted vision, or those using a wheelchair or walker to work with ease.
Also consider the area through which you maneuver daily. Walkways are often uneven and a problem at any age. If you think about how difficult it might be to maneuver with a walker or wheelchair, you don’t have to stretch your imagine very far to figure out how to repair of replace in order to make sure that it is level. At the same time, think of making the path wider, or put in handrails or benches along the way.
Make sure that thresholds are flush and no more than a ¼ inch high. If they are higher consider the addition of a gently sloping ramp. Lighted and covered entries are a good thought too, to protect people with limited mobility from the elements. Lighting and electrical modifications will go a long way in preventing falls and increase visibilities for those visually impaired. We’ve mentioned raised flower or garden beds already but consider raised garden spigots and can be easily reached for watering, or install an automated watering system.
Glare and light sensitivity are also issues for people who have visual impairment. Shaded areas, awnings, trellis and trees are things to be considering as you redesign your lawn. Even furniture selection needs to be considered. Select furniture for both safety and durability.
As far as ergonomic garden tools go, there are specially made grabbers, forks and spades, in addition to wheeled caddies that make it easier for you to carry your tools and supplies around with you. A variety of gadgets have appeared on the market designed to increase gardening comfort. Today there are gardening tools and techniques that make working with plants accessible to anyone who wants to do it. Smart shopping and creative problem solving will help you pick and choose out of the many products now available.
Further reading:
The Accessible Home: Updating Your Home for Changing Physical Needs
"Breaking down barriers for an accessible
garden.” Bill Thorness. (Seattle Times, July 18, 2007)
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