New year, new garden

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Gardening for the disabled and the less agile.

Our bodies become less supple as we age and our strength diminishes, so we need to adapt our gardens and gardening habits to enable us to meet our changing circumstances and special needs. For some people with disabilities, gardening will always have been a challenge and I hope that I can give everyone some useful hints here.

When we moved to our present house I was very mindful of my own advancing years and the need to `wind down` a little, and with this in mind I planned our large garden for easy maintenance. I created and planted some raised borders that could be worked on without too much bending, and we have ramps instead of steps, which gives easy access for wheelbarrows, the lawn mower and wheelchair-bound visitors. The borders are filled with evergreen shrubs, trees and plants, that are all chosen for their ease of maintenance, and mulched with bark or compost to keep the weeds down. All paths and paved areas are wide and non slip and it's as near as I can get to an easy maintenance garden.

If my husband had his way he would replace the lawn with concrete and paint it green, with some artificial plants dotted about!

I could fill several pages with information about this subject, but will highlight some helpful hints and websites below:

Replace lawn with a solid surface such as pavers. Gravel is not wheelchair friendly or good for the balance

Make ramps rather than steps, including entrances and exit points.

Raised flower beds are easier to work on from a wheelchair or if movement is difficult

Plant easy care plants such as evergreens, which require little or no maintenance and look good all year round

Make a shady area that is under cover for protection from the sun or wind

More help from these websites below:

Using a mulch on borders will suppress weeds and conserve moisture, reducing the need for watering

www.thrive.org.uk the national horticultural charity that uses gardening to improve the lives of disabled, disadvantaged and older people.

Finally, enquire with your local authority to see if there are any grants or help available. Often there are groups of volunteers willing to help out.

Garden tools for all seasons , for specialised gardening tools and equipment. A whole range of gardening tools with secure on-line ordering and shipping worldwide.

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