Make Gardening Easier and More Accessible with These Tips & Gadgets

Gardening is a hobby that anyone and everyone can enjoy, well, maybe except those with hay fever or environmental allergies. But getting outside into the fresh air and learning how to complete essential gardening tasks to create a healthy, thriving garden can be beneficial for the body and mind.

Not only are you developing a hobby and learning new skills to keep the old grey matter ticking over, but you’re also getting exercise, staying active and getting some of all the important vitamin D from being outdoors, too. Plus, the mental health benefits of being outdoors can be a great mood booster even if you are not outside for long.  

However, gardening isn’t always easy, and it can be labour-intensive, meaning you need some level of fitness for the more extensive work or at least some help. That being said, these days, there are some tools you can purchase or borrow to help you get the job done without all of the extra effort, providing much-needed relief from the physical strain.  

Accessible gardening is achievable for most people with a bit of planning. Let’s take a look at some of the tools you can purchase and steps you can take to help you with your gardening endeavours. Most of us are dealing with minor accessibility issues but if you would like some inspiration check out Sue Kent who excels at gardening despite accessibility issues.

This page contains affiliate links meaning I earn a little commission if you use those links at no cost to you. I only recommend brands I use and trust.

Raised Beds

One of the most obvious ways to make gardening more accessible for most people is raised beds. This is where the plants are raised up and therefore easier to access to trim, weed and enjoy. I am not an accessibility expert so if you have a particular requirement it may be worth taking advice on best heights for beds and best widths and surfaces for paths.

A raised herb bed with all its wonderful textures and fragrances is a joy for everyone especially wheelchair users. This article show you how to create your own raised gardening beds.

Long Handled Anything

Adapting your tools or purchasing those already equipped with long handles can be a lifesaver. If bending down isn’t possible or, you find it uncomfortable, or you have limited mobility, a long-handled tool enables you to garden more ergonomically, reduces strain on the body, and allows you to access what you need to do without the additional movement or effort you might need to make when using standard tools. So, if you are looking for an easier way to keep on top of your gardening, opt for long-handled gardening tools for the win.

I must confess I got a long handled trowel from my mum and it is the most used tool in my garden. I love it as I am a fan of getting close to the soil but the long handle reduces the amount of bending I do and also gives me leverage when I need it.

Weed Slicers

A weed slicer or garden hoe is the perfect tool for borders. It helps you tackle those pesky weeds in your garden. The arrow-shaped head of a weed slicer allows you to make light work of cutting off roots. Great tool whatever your mobility or strength.

And if you’re struggling to get low on the ground, you can invest in a long-handled version that allows you to run upright or seated and still get to work ridding your borders of the dreaded weeds.

Robotic Lawnmowers

If you’re not the type of person who enjoys meandering around the lawn with a lawnmower making pretty patterns, or you simply don’t have the time, you need an upgrade. I must confess that I enjoy mowing the lawn, I find it very relaxing and I get a chance to have a look around at all the borders.

Lawns need regular mowing; anyone with even the smallest patch of grass will attest to that. However, robotic lawn mowers are ideal for larger spaces, people who can’t push a standing mower of any kind or simply don’t want to, providing a convenient solution to lawn maintenance.

Robotic lawnmowers work much like robotic vacuums. They use sensors to map the lawn and then navigate it to mow the grass. All you need to do is set it up, charge it, and empty it when required. It’s a great option for those with larger lawns or those who prefer a hands-off approach to lawn maintenance.

Leaf Blowers and Mulchers

In the autumn (or fall) raking or brushing up leaves is backbreaking work, and it can be never-ending. While you need healthy leaves for mulch for your garden, sorting them and shredding leaves can be massively time-consuming and hard on the body for some people, especially those with larger gardens or copious amounts of leaves they need to clear on a regular basis. 

This is where leaf blowers and mulchers come in handy. You can cut down on the effort of this task by simply blowing the leaves to where you want them and then using a leaf mulcher to do the rest for you. 

If you are on a budget and able to do the work you can use your lawnmower to cut up the leaves like I do but it is hard work!

Push Button Seed Sower

If you find planting seeds a bit tricky or you don’t have the dexterity, you can invest in a seed sower that does it for you. It’s a syringe-type product that you load your seed into so you can dispense them correctly without all the additional effort.

It allows you to ensure your seeds are going exactly where you want them for a more precise planting season, giving you a sense of control over your gardening tasks. It can also be used in pots and seed trays, not just the ground. 

Stools, Chairs and Wheeled Tables

It is not really a tool per se; however, using chairs and stools in the garden to sit on can help you reduce the physical strain on your body and make life more comfortable. You can use a trolley or table on wheels where you can put all of your plants, tools, accessories, etc, and move them around with you. Not only is this a great way to keep everything neat and organized, but it can cut down on a lot of moving about and make gardening much more accessible at your level. 

If you are on a budget even using a cheap garden chair will help but if you can stretch to a stool designed for the job it can be amazing. Imagine setting off into your garden with all your tools and a seat to rest on when you need to. There are many options out there so do your research and choose one that suits your particular needs. My dad had one and he loved it.

And so much more …

I do not claim to be an expert in accessibility in the garden and I would always advise you to get expert advice before making major accessibility design changes. If however you are interested in making your gardening more accessible or easier then try some of these out.

This site has lots of great ideas for your garden including:

• How to make your own leaf mould (mulch)
• How to plant up hanging baskets and pots for summer flowers
• How to plant a lasagna bulb pot
• Upcycle an old chair into a succulent planter
• and many more

Whatever you are up to in your garden make sure you enjoy it and do whatever you need to do to enjoy it for as long as possible regardless of age or mobility.