I’m becoming a member of with a few of my fellow gardeners from the #SixOnSaturday group to convey you a brand new sequence of posts that can embrace some straightforward plant propagating concepts and conversations about favorite gardening instruments.
In the present day my visitor is Catherine who blogs at Notes From My Backyard. Catherine lives in Scotland and is sharing a few of her favorite backyard instruments with us, with ideas about gardening with Arthritis.
Gardening with Arthritis
As soon as upon a time backyard duties had been simpler than they’re now. I might rake, hoe, weed, dig and plant. Time has modified that and arthritis has taken a excessive toll, but it surely doesn’t imply there aren’t options for issues. Discovering the instruments and aids to make gardening extra achievable has been trial, error and success. Not one of the instruments beneath are arthritis-specific. They’re customary, sturdy gardening instruments that work for me and also you may even have some, or all, of those in your toolbox or gardening bag.
Brief-handled razor hoe. I got here throughout this about 6 years in the past after injuring a tendon in my proper shoulder. I’m right-handed, the harm took a number of months to heal and for some time, it appeared that gardening was off-limits. That was till I noticed a video of a TV gardener utilizing a razor hoe that may very well be purchased both as a left-handed or right-handed device. I purchased one, discovered to work with my left hand and I’ve used it since. It slices beneath weeds with minimal effort. I take advantage of a long-handled razor hoe too, for areas that I can’t attain into with the hand model.
Snips, secateurs and a pointy trowel. I’ve two pairs of snips as a result of I’m at all times leaving one pair down and forgetting the place I put it. They go along with me at any time when I set foot within the backyard – they’re my most beloved device. We spend numerous time, husband and I, trying to find each pairs after I lay every of them elsewhere. I additionally use ratchet secateurs to chop thicker stems & branches on shrubs and roses; the ratchet offers my hand that little bit of additional energy. The pointed trowel is sharp and makes it simpler to dig holes for as much as 2-litre pot-size vegetation, however something bigger than that could be a job for my husband.
Border rakes. I purchased two hand rakes to make use of alongside the razor hoe. Whereas the hoe lifts the weeds the broader border rake pulls them in the direction of me together with leaves and different particles. The smaller drag rake is used to tug out heavier materials.
Velcro Backyard Ties. I’ve simply found Velcro ties, however haven’t but had the chance to make use of them extensively. In the event that they work in addition to 1000’s of reviewers are saying then it ought to put an finish to making an attempt to tie knots utilizing twine, with chilly or painful fingers!
Bosch Cordless Straightforward Shear. I LOVE this – it’s a superb hand device! Shears are too heavy – I don’t have sufficient energy in my fingers, arms and shoulders to make use of them. Chopping again useless or dying foliage in autumn with secateurs was once a back-breaking job however after I got here throughout this Bosch Straightforward Shear, weighing solely 530g I knew it was what I used to be on the lookout for. It trims lavenders in minutes, cuts again perennial foliage to the bottom effortlessly and shapes effective shrubs with ease. Notice although, that it gained’t minimize heavy branches or stems.
Kneeler/Stool. I assume that most individuals are acquainted with this. I used a kneeler for a few years as I’ve at all times loved engaged on my knees, near the vegetation. The handles had been nice for serving to me up after my physique started to stiffen! However when arthritis and accidents started creating issues with my neck and knees, the kneeler was turned upright and have become a stool. Today I sit whereas planting & weeding, however I additionally use it when photographing low-growing vegetation.
Backyard Caddy. A plastic backyard tub sits neatly inside this caddy. It carries heavy pots, compost, waste materials and far more to the compost bins. These two gadgets are as important as the opposite instruments – with out them, I might lose a lot independence.
There are various extra instruments and aids out there on-line, these are a couple of I’ve been utilizing and wouldn’t be with out. What about you, do you may have any particular instruments you couldn’t be with out? You probably have arthritis and battle with sure facets of gardening, maybe you’d prefer to share the way you cope within the backyard. I’d love to listen to your concepts.
The entire instruments above can be found from Amazon, however listed below are hyperlinks to a few of the producers’ websites:
Razor Hoe https://www.burgonandball.com/collections/razor-hoe/merchandise/razor-hoe-right-handed-1
Bosch Straightforward Shear https://www.bosch-diy.com/gb/en/p/easyshear-0600833303
Velcro  https://store.velcro.co.uk/collections/velcro-brand-plant-ties
Please be a part of me in thanking Catherine for becoming a member of us at the moment. Learn extra about Catherine’s backyard from her Enchanting Gardens publish right here. For extra gardening posts observe her weblog Notes From My Backyard. Or follower her on Twitter / X right here.
Meet up with earlier posts within the Backyard Suggestions sequence:
Propagating African Violets
Cathy’s favorite gardening device: Wolf Garten Weeding And Planting Knife.
Fred’s propagating suggestions for Begonias.
