Those are the positives of our calling to produce, often miracles from soil. The negatives or drawbacks is often we demand miracles from our bodies as well. As I sit here typing I recognize how much effort is expended by muscles not intended for typing rapidly.

Handles and grips are one of the most important part of a good gardening tool. Handles are made in a variety of sizes and shapes. Some things to look at before you buy include the padding in the handle . If you intend to garden for a long period of time consider investing in ergonomic tools. Ergonomic tools can be found in every price point.

These tools have been designed by engineers, designers together with occupational therapists and gardeners. These ergonomic tools are balanced in their weight which is distributed for minimal strain on the wrist, hand and fingers.

Another thing to consider is whether there is enough padding to easily grip the handtools. Some handles are padded giving less strain. If the tool doesn't have an adequate padding for your hand make it easy on yourself.

Take some conduit insulation. It is generally sold in 3 or 5' lengths. One piece will provide padding for many tool handles. Slip or wrap around the handle of your gardening tool. Remember adaptive gardening means adapting the garden to your needs. And this means adaptive hand tools as well.

Investing in yourself today can lead to many more years of productive gardening. And a good tool set is a great place to start.

All in a gardener's day,

Photo by Craig Jewell

Photo by Mira Pavlakovic

The past two days have been busy ones. I've been interviewed about accessible gardening by Diane McLain for her internet radio program.  In addition, I've been interviewing experts Dean Geyer about raised bed gardening and Frank Kilgore about growing tomatoes using vertical gardening techniques.  Thanks to Diane, Dean and Frank for some great interviews. All of this activity is part of  writing my next gardening ebook.

That said, I haven't spent much time outside other than watering and deadheading the flowers. I had planned on taking a picture of the portulaca (rose moss or pursulane) for the blog.  Unfortunately it was dark and the flowers had closed for the day.  So my thanks to Mira for sharing her photo.

Accessible gardening or adaptive gardening is finding ways to adjust tools, gardens or ourselves to make gardening easier.

Why easier? Well, at some point in time most of us will experience sore knees or a sore back.  Others of us may want to garden while using a wheelchair, walker or cane. Still others want to garden despite arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or other physical limitation.

Luckily for all of us there are methods of gardening and adaptive tools that can let us garden even with bodies that won't cooperate as much as we like.  I've been gathering the information together and will be sharing more in the days to come.

Some of those adaptive gardening methods include container gardening, and vertical gardening.  Raised bed gardening can be modified to be accessible gardening.  Hydroponic gardening can be both adaptive and accessible.

I'm also gathering tools and devices  that can make gardening easier. So lots of exciting plans and I have much to share.  But tomorrow is a day to repot some of those Boston ferns and trim back the ground cover.

All in the day of a gardener's life,