Whether you want to grow healthy vegetables, a beautiful bed of flowers, plants to attract butterflies, perennials, tropical or desert plants; a garden is a worthwhile endeavor and can reap great rewards.
By Linda Stango, AIA
A computer generated image of a raised garden bed demonstrates just how easy and accessible gardening can be for wheelchair users.
Gardening is a psychologically and emotionally therapeutic hobby, the benefits of which have been well documented. It is also a relaxing and productive exercise that is enjoyed by a growing number of people who use wheelchairs. All gardens require planning and wheelchair accessibility is another aspect of that planning process. In an accessible garden, the plants have to be brought to the gardener rather than the gardener having to go to the plants by bending or stooping. There are several ways to accomplish this. The appropriate model will depend primarily upon the amount of space available, cost and the amount of permanence desired.
Raised-Bed Gardening
Raised-bed gardening is perhaps the type of gardening that is most like traditional gardening–weeds and all. It also is the most permanent of the style of gardens detailed in this article. It involves creating a very large immovable container. The bed frame can be easily constructed with timbers, but before beginning construction, determine the appropriate dimensions. Remember, the plants need to come to the gardener. The timbers should be suitable for outdoor use and be treated with preservatives that are nontoxic and noncorrosive.
Usually raised beds are planted at 30 inches above grade; since each person is unique, it is best to determine the height that would work the best for you. Keep in mind that the plants will grow and need attention as well as the bedding material, throughout the growing season. The width should be slightly less than twice the gardener’s reach, assuming it can be approached from two sides. This will assure that the plants and weeds growing in the middle of the bed garner as much attention as those on the perimeter.
While the bed can be any length, it is important not to make it so long that going around it is arduous. The frame can be put together using 4″ x 4″ corner posts, set into the ground. Side pieces can be timbers secured with corner “L” brackets or 1″ x 12″ boards screwed into the posts with galvanized screws. The ground serves as the bottom. Once the frame is constructed, the bottom may be covered with a layer of drainage material to a depth of about four to six inches. The remainder can be filled with premixed potting soil (which can get expensive if the bed is very large) or with amended soil (a mixture of earth, peat moss and compost or manure).
Water is a critical element in any garden. Location of the bed should be convenient to a water source. A drip irrigation system is a very efficient way to water. It works by applying water very slowly directly to the soil. They are easy to install and simple to maintain.
Perhaps the biggest decision is what type of plants to grow in the bed. This will vary greatly on the gardener’s goals, the region of the country, available sunlight, time commitment, etc. A good source for advice on plant material is your local cooperative extension or garden store. Once the plants are in place, top dress with mulch to retain moisture and minimize weed infiltration. Mulching also keeps the soil from overheating. Organic mulch will need to be replenished, as it decays.
The space around the garden is important to consider as well. Grass and mulch are typical surface materials, but are difficult surfaces for a wheelchair to maneuver on. The area around a raised bed and the space between raised beds needs to be a smooth, level, hard and stable surface. While pavers, concrete and brick, vary greatly in cost, any of these can be used as surface material. Compacted pea gravel is the least expense option, but the gravel must be thoroughly compacted to be functional and will require more maintenance. Lose gravel is difficult to traverse in a wheelchair and would not make a good path. The space between beds should be a minimum of forty eight inches wide.
Container Gardens
A container garden is ideal for people with limited outdoor space but who want to enjoy gardening. The gardener can select containers that are appropriate in shape and size for the space available and the types of plants desired. Large flower pots can be fitted with casters making them portable and allowing the gardener to turn the container so the plants can get even exposure to sunlight. Containers can be placed on plant stands, outdoor tables or on stacked bricks at elevations suitable for the gardener.
Be sure the pots have openings in the bottoms to allow for drainage. Pots set in plant saucers allow water to drain but not go to waste or spill over onto adjoining surfaces. The bottom of the pot can be lined with newspaper or sphagnum moss to prevent soil loss.
Small containers may need to be watered daily. The planting medium should drain rapidly but maintain enough moisture to keeps roots evenly moist. A good quality potting mixture is ideal for this use and those with fertilizer are hard to beat. Containers should be placed within reach of the gardener in locations where at least five hours of sunlight is available each day. Locations with less sun should be planted with shade loving plants, such as coleus or impatiens. For sunny locations geraniums, nasturtiums, petunias and zinnias are great choices. There are many varieties of vegetables that are well suited to containers, tomatoes, snap beans, eggplant and peppers. Herbs do very well in containers and can be planted together for a lovely grouping. Flower boxes, through traditionally displayed in window openings are not restricted to such use. Flower boxes can be set on legs or pedestals so that once again the plants are coming to the gardener.
Hanging baskets are another form of container gardening and can be displayed at any height and can be adjusted as the plants mature. Pulleys can be used to raise and lower the pots.
Vertical and Trellis Gardens
A vertical garden is a garden with trellises or walls. Training plants to grow vertically is just another way to bring plants to the gardeners. Climbing plants are within reach for easy maintenance and enjoyment. They can also be pruned to prevent them from growing out of reach.
Vertical plants produce shade, so be sure nearby plants get enough light. Trellis gardens can add color, texture and disguise an unsightly view. Trellises should be based on the full grown size of the plant and securely placed in the soil. There are several beautiful climbing flowers such as morning glories, clematis, and sweet peas that work well on trellises.
Many delicious vegetables that can be trained to grow vertically including: tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, and beans.
Table top gardens are another option for a person who uses a wheelchair. These are garden beds that are elevated on legs and much like a table as there is leg room underneath. The clearance under the table should be at least 27″ above grade. The soil will be shallow, between six to eight inches deep. Plant selection needs to be made accordingly. Root vegetables, for example, would not be a good choice for a table top garden. Most annuals can be grown in this type of container.
Be Prepared
Another aspect of gardening is having the proper tools. Lightweight tools with large handles allow for an easier grip and are readily available. Tools with long handles are especially helpful for use in larger beds as they extend one’s reach.
Finally, when planning the accessible garden, do not forget to exam the path to the garden and the area around the garden. Is there a slope or hill that the gardener needs to navigate? Is the path to the garden rutted or does it become muddy after a soaking rain? Is there a shady place to rest while gardening, if necessary? Is there an outlet for water within reach of the garden area? Taking the time at the onset of gardening to plan the garden will only enhance the gardening experience and bring a sense of pride for the gardener. Fresh vegetables and cut flowers are just an added bonus!
For a nominal fee the team at Accessibility Consulting Services can review the design for your garden to ensure that you are getting what you planned on. For more information, call 716-828-9139 or visit www.accessibility-services.com.
Gardening Books We Recommend:
The Enabling Garden, by Gene Rothert. Available from SouthPark Publishing Group for $13.95, plus shipping.
The Able Gardener: Overcoming Barriers of Age & Physical Limitations, by Kathleen Yeomans. Available from SouthPark Publishing Group for $16.95, plus shipping.
Linda Stango, AIA is an architect for Accessibility Services.
