In a follow up to a few blogs on gardening from 2024, I want to do a brief review of how I am still able to garden outdoors despite the progressive nature of Ataxia. First, and most important, plan or think-out your gardening activities for each day. Gardening from a chair or wheelchair is most certainly possible. I do not have to bend far over or (impossibly) kneel or use a gardening bench.
In a previous post, I suggested 2 methods I prefer (and use), instead of in-ground gardening. By far, most of my gardening is in containers. I will also mention, at this point, it is possible to garden in hay bales as well. It is not something I have done myself, but there are many articles on the subject. The benefit of either of these methods is that you can garden from a seated position (chair or wheelchair) with minimal bending or reaching and no stooping. Working from a seated position will also allow most individuals with Ataxia, in earlier stages of the condition, to use both hands.
My gardens are situated on my deck and at my front door (landing). Tools I keep on hand, include:
- A Reacher-Grabber (like this one)
- Standard hand garden tools
- Long gardening gloves (here are mine)
- Latex gloves, lined (for muddy, messy work)
- Long spout, small watering cans
- Trolley Walker (see below)
- Utility cart (wheeled, see below)
- Thick cushions on patio chairs (see below)
- Empty small buckets and containers
On the deck, I use a TROLLEY WALKER (pictured below), which consists of 2 trays, handles and brakes, but no seat. I use the trolley to safely carry supplies & water as I move between plants. I cannot walk very long or far with a walker, so I use the trolley in conjunction with strategically placed patio chairs with thick cushions. The 4” thick cushions on the patio chairs make it easy to get back up from a seated position. A tip here, if you are shopping for thick cushions, is to shop for them in person at a home store. Often, those sold online look puffy, but are not dense or firm enough to provide good support.
I also use a wheeled UTILITY cart, primarily to keep supplies handy, as well. CAUTION!!! Though large, the utility cart moves and turns very easily. However, I do not use it like a “walk-behind” walker. I move it just a short distance ONLY WHILE SEATED!
There are no water spigots on the deck or convenient to reach, or near the front, so watering is a real chore. During rainy periods, I keep large buckets and containers out (with mosquito ‘dunks’–look them up) to catch rainwater. Wearing lined latex gloves, I dip water and pour into several small watering cans (large cans are too heavy) and make my way around and water each plant. It is admittedly a s-l-o-w process. I keep promising to have fewer plants in the garden next year (haha). If the weather has been dry for a while, I must simply plan and recruit an able-bodied person to fill several 5-gallon buckets of water and sit them around the deck when I need to water.
Hopefully, these photos will give you a good idea of my container gardening. Remember, make your garden design personal, manageable, and for your enjoyment!
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