Just because you're in a wheelchair doesn't mean you can't "manage" your garden yourself. He just has to meet a few requirements.
People with physical disabilities and senior citizens do not want to be constantly dependent on outside help. That is why there are already enough solutions that make an independent and barrier-free life possible in no time at all. Of course, this independent life should not end at the front door. Wheelchair users and seniors with restricted mobility can also cultivate the garden without outside help. This only has to be adapted to your needs beforehand.
In the following you will find a few tips on how best to make your garden barrier-free. On top of that, I'll tell you how you can make gardening a lot easier.
This should not be missing in a barrier-free garden
❶ Make access to the garden barrier-free:
People with restricted mobility must be able to reach the garden without obstacles. Stairs are therefore an absolute no-go. In order to overcome height differences, it makes sense to design the transition between inside and outside with a ramp. This should be wide enough for walkers and wheelchairs and not too steep. A maximum incline of 6 percent is ideal for wheelchair users. For seniors in wheelchairs and for those who use a walker, it should be a maximum of 3 percent (source: www.frischer-windt.de).
❷ Create wide garden paths:
Anyone who is in a wheelchair or relies on a walking aid such as a rollator must be able to drive through the garden with it. Wide garden paths are therefore an absolute must. They should be at least 1.20 meters wide. Of course, wider is even better. In addition, the garden paths must be non-slip. Water-permeable drainage stones are particularly suitable for non-slip garden paths, for example.
Additional tip:
The garden path should ideally be straight. If curves or right angles cannot be avoided, they should be about 1.60 meters wide so that wheelchair users and people using a walker can easily turn around.
❸ Lighting the garden properly:
Garden paths definitely need to be illuminatedwill. The light must blend into each other so that no shadows are created. In addition, the lamps must not dazzle. It is therefore best to use shielded lamps. We recommend, for example, solar lamps for the garden path. They turn on and off automatically. And all without electricity! So you don't have to run back and get annoyed if you forgot to turn on the light. This happens automatically. Motion sensors or a digital timer are also a good idea.
❹ Create raised beds and vertical beds:
For seniors, bending over is poison for the back and usually very awkward for wheelchair users. Therefore, classic fruit and vegetable beds should disappear from the garden. But that doesn't mean that you have to do without fruit and vegetables from your own garden. Raised beds are perfect for seniors, for example. You don't have to bend down and can edit the bed very easily. Here are 15 ideas for raised beds made of wood, stone or metal.
Raised beds are also suitable for wheelchair users. However, you have to drive on them from the side, which makes working in the bed a little more difficult. Table beds are the better alternative here. With these models, you can drive under the bed with your wheelchair, just like with a table.
There are also vertical beds that are ideal for people with physical disabilities and wheelchair users. Vertical beds made from Euro pallets, for example, are very popular at the moment.
❺ Use sensible irrigation systems:
Watering the garden is a pretty difficult task for people with physical disabilities. After all, it's not that easy to lift heavy watering cans or pull the water hose through the garden. The solution to this is called automatic irrigation systems. These can be sprinklers or drip hoses. The great thing: A watering computer controls when and how long watering should take place. Rain and soil moisture sensors also ensure that watering only takes place when needed.
❻ Select easy-care plants:
You should choose the plants in the barrier-free garden with care. It is best to opt for easy-care and disease-resistant plants that you do not have to replace every year. Particularly suitable are e.g.:
- Thujen
- Grasses
- Boxwood
- Buddleia
- Peonies
- Star Magnolia
- clematis
- wood violets
- Anemone
- Mountain
In addition, espalier fruit is fordisabled people are always easier to care for than fruit trees. Also, bet on lots of lawns. Larger ones can be cared for with a ride-on lawnmower, smaller ones with a robotic lawnmower.
❼ Use ergonomic garden tools:
Independence is the most important thing for most people with physical disabilities. Unfortunately, gardening is pretty exhausting. So let us help you. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't or can't do anything. If you rely on ergonomic garden tools, then you can lend a hand yourself. They are usually easier to use and have a comfortable grip. Thanks to the telescopic handle, they can often even be used comfortably while sitting.
Since a wheelbarrow cannot be operated by physically handicapped people, let alone people in a wheelchair, I recommend that you also use a foldable handcart (because it can be stowed away to save space). This is ideal for transporting soil, leaves and garden tools. At TecTake I saw a handcart that even has a tiltable plastic tub. This allows you to easily drop the charge at the desired location. You should use a tire pressure gauge to check the tire pressure from time to time, because if the handcart loses air, it becomes harder to move.
❽ Integrate several quiet zones in the garden:
This is also a very important point. Because gardening can be quite exhausting. You need to take a break from time to time and be able to sit down comfortably. So if you have a large garden, create several rest areas with seating. It is particularly important here that you decide on stable garden furniture that has backrests, as they make it easier to sit down and stand up. Here are 19 inspiring ideas for a seating area in the garden.