1/16
Ok, Ocean Frens - I'm not normally a "see a gadget must buy it" sort of person, but here's the thing:
I'm young, I have arthritis in my hands, and I love to garden. I also love functioning at the end of the day.
So I look for tools to ease my workload.
I'm young, I have arthritis in my hands, and I love to garden. I also love functioning at the end of the day.
So I look for tools to ease my workload.
09:34 AM - May 25, 2023
2/16
So I have some recommendations for y'all today!
These are tools that have changed (for the better) the way I garden. I struggle less, and the tasks are more enjoyable. They help me, hope you find them helpful too.
These are tools that have changed (for the better) the way I garden. I struggle less, and the tasks are more enjoyable. They help me, hope you find them helpful too.
09:35 AM - May 25, 2023
3/16
FYI I am not getting paid endorsements for any of this I'm just a gardener who needs adaptive devices and I'm sharing what worked for me.
First up: GLOVES.
There is only one pair of gardening gloves I will ever buy again: Bionic.
https://www.bionicgloves.com/gardening
First up: GLOVES.
There is only one pair of gardening gloves I will ever buy again: Bionic.
https://www.bionicgloves.com/gardening
09:37 AM - May 25, 2023
4/16
I currently own the Bionic Rose Gardening gloves (we have a Rosa rugosa hedge; this was a necessary investment!) and the Bionic Relief Grip.
They work like compression gloves that you can garden in. They help me hold my tools better. I love them. True to size & even work with boutonniere injury.
They work like compression gloves that you can garden in. They help me hold my tools better. I love them. True to size & even work with boutonniere injury.
09:39 AM - May 25, 2023
5/16
Next up: seed sowing!
It's such a PITA, trying to handle small seeds when your range of motion is FUBAR, innit? I get you. And drilling the seed holes? Your rows get wonky, right?
I got this this year, and GAME. CHANGER.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CQ4KYCS
It's such a PITA, trying to handle small seeds when your range of motion is FUBAR, innit? I get you. And drilling the seed holes? Your rows get wonky, right?
I got this this year, and GAME. CHANGER.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CQ4KYCS
09:42 AM - May 25, 2023
6/16
Another helper, if you like doing square foot gardening or are trying to maximize space in your raised bed: yes. Get this baby.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00US8ESWK
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00US8ESWK
09:44 AM - May 25, 2023
7/16
As for handling the little seeds? This little gizmo is tried and true, but not as many people use this as should. It really does work a treat. In some cases, like with poppy seed? Best to mix it with sand, sow freely on surface.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0923PRHXP
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0923PRHXP
09:47 AM - May 25, 2023
8/16
So that's sowing in the greenhouse done.
What about weeding?
Ok, so I have arthritis in my spine as well. I can do standing-weeding for a bit - and I use a long handled Cape Cod weeder for planting beds. Shuffle weeder for paths.
BUT - sometimes you need to get close. And I need to sit for that.
What about weeding?
Ok, so I have arthritis in my spine as well. I can do standing-weeding for a bit - and I use a long handled Cape Cod weeder for planting beds. Shuffle weeder for paths.
BUT - sometimes you need to get close. And I need to sit for that.
09:49 AM - May 25, 2023
9/16
My BIL & nephews gifted me with this about 3 Xmases ago.
Holds a trug, carries my tools, and I designed my potager paths to accommodate it. How did I ever live without this thing? It wasn't living really.
https://www.gardeners.com/buy/deluxe-tractor-garden-scoot/40-131.html
Holds a trug, carries my tools, and I designed my potager paths to accommodate it. How did I ever live without this thing? It wasn't living really.
https://www.gardeners.com/buy/deluxe-tractor-garden-scoot/40-131.html
09:51 AM - May 25, 2023
10/16
So my garden plots have a lot of herbaceous perennials (hey, lower maintenance, less frequent stooping, it's life goals for arthritics); but even these need pruning periodically. Problem I have with pruners: most assume grip strength on the part of the gardener that I no longer have.
09:58 AM - May 25, 2023
11/16
I've tried the lot, and Fiskars has been the easiest for me to use. They have this gear technology to help with lack of grip strength. They handle very comfortably and I don't drop them even without gloves on.
09:59 AM - May 25, 2023
12/16
The model out now is an improvement on the one I currently own.
https://www.fiskars.com/en-us/gardening-and-yard-care/products/pruning-shears/powergear2-pruner-3910...
https://www.fiskars.com/en-us/gardening-and-yard-care/products/pruning-shears/powergear2-pruner-3910...
09:59 AM - May 25, 2023
(Edited)
13/16
Shovels, spades, forks: My go-to is the brand Radius.
Yes, they look like Teletubby garden tools. Honestly consider it part of their charm. I never thought these would help as much as they do. Another game changer. They come in different colors. My transplant spade is Tinky Winky purple...
Yes, they look like Teletubby garden tools. Honestly consider it part of their charm. I never thought these would help as much as they do. Another game changer. They come in different colors. My transplant spade is Tinky Winky purple...
10:07 AM - May 25, 2023
14/16
Hand tools: This is always a very personal choice depending on many factors. For me, I usually pick anything light with a large barreled handle. For me that still includes a range of wooden handled trowels etc.
Here again Radius has a selection of really good hand tools:
Here again Radius has a selection of really good hand tools:
10:11 AM - May 25, 2023
15/16
My only issue with the Radius trowels is, they're shallow? Not great if you want to fill a pot with potting mix quickly. So I had to source a scoop.
This one is about $13, weighs all of 7oz unloaded.
Does a fab job.
https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Beautiful-Handle-Perfect-Fertilizer/dp/B09W47ZWCY
This one is about $13, weighs all of 7oz unloaded.
Does a fab job.
https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Beautiful-Handle-Perfect-Fertilizer/dp/B09W47ZWCY
10:19 AM - May 25, 2023
16/16
Anyway, that's my thread on #gardening and #gardeningtools for #gardeners
who have #mobilityissues . You don't have to give up good times in the garden just because your body is changing on you!
Thanks for being patient with this thread.
Enjoy a bumblebee butt.
who have #mobilityissues . You don't have to give up good times in the garden just because your body is changing on you!
Thanks for being patient with this thread.
Enjoy a bumblebee butt.
10:22 AM - May 25, 2023