Container Gardening || Raised Beds || Pathways || Trellis || Health and Safety Special Considerations || Tool Shed || Garden Books || Farm/Homestead Books Home and Garden Resources for Master Gardeners For additional information contact your local University of Missouri Extension Center or the University of Missouri AgrAbility Project at 1.800.995.8503 or via email. University of Missouri Extension is an equal opportunity/ADA institution. Acknowledgements Initial support for the “Accessible Gardening Program” was provided by the USDA AgrAbility Project. The University of Missouri Outreach and Extension, Agricultural Engineering Extension and the MU Departments of Occupational and Physical Therapy collaborated with the development of these basic resource materials. Additional resource development was provided by Doris O’Hara, OTR/L. The emphasis of the “Gardens for Every Body” program is to provide basic information on “How” to create an accessible garden as well as “How” to select and safely use ergonomic, enabling, or modified garden tools designed for persons with limitations. In 1999, the MU accessible garden program was renamed “Gardens for Every Body,” with additional support from the NIDRR Department of Education coupled with gardening gadgets, tools, equipment, and materials donated by Lowes, Home Depot, and Wal-Mart. The emphasis of the “Gardens for Every Body” program is to provide basic information on “How” to create an accessible garden as well as “How” to select and safely use ergonomic, enabling, or modified garden tools designed for persons with limitations. Any vessel is suitable for container gardening if it has drainage - even an old boot will do if there is a hole in the sole. Drainage is to container gardening as location is to real estate. It's everything. The quality makes container gardening a good starting point for gardeners with disabilities. The major considerations given to container gardening are the size of the container, adequate drainage, and the requirements of the plants. Small containers such as ceramic pots and large institutional food cans can be placed on benches for accessibility. There are a number of commercially produced plant containers available, but wooden boxes, barrels, and even old bathtubs work equally well. The benefits of container gardening including the following: ● Mobility - Containers are especially good because they can be moved around and even started indoors before the weather is warm outside. Containers can be moved...into the sunlight, out of the sunlight, the front yard, to the backyard, wherever you want. If you container plant start to wilt, don't worry. Just move it to a less-conspicuous spot. ● Flexibility - Containers are great for small backyards, decks and apartment balconies or patios. Containers also let you grow plants that might not otherwise be suitable for your garden. Again, the container should be at a comfortable width and height for working. ● Protection - The soil in containers warms up more and dries out earlier in spring than the ground, allowing you to plant ahead of schedule. Come fall, tender plants can easily be moved indoors. ● Additional Benefits - To get the most benefit out of your container garden keep the following in mind. All container gardens will need more watering than a standard garden. A water source should be nearby. A short hose with a watering wand is easy to maneuver or use soaker hoses or drip irrigation in your containers. If you don't have a water outlet, use a lightweight plastic, not heavy metal, watering can. Mulching will also slow the evaporation of water from the planter and keep the soil cool for the plant roots. Certain varieties of plants are more appropriate for container gardens. Look for plants or seeds as compact, drought resistant or recommended for container gardening. Types of Containers ● Miniature Gardens - Miniature garden planters can be constructed for persons in wheelchairs that allow a great deal of individuality in designing landscapes. ● Window Boxes - Window boxes may be especially good for the individual who does not have an accessible outside area or is unable to work outside. Window boxes are usually made of wood but can be made of painted aluminum. It is important that considerations for proper drainage are given in the construction of the box. Plants can be directly planted into the soil in the box or pots can be put into the box to be removed in the winter months. ● Planting Bags - Plastic bags of artificial soil mix specifically designed for culture directly in bag are now available from some garden centers and catalogs. Plant through slits in the side of the bag; water using a watering wand or long nose watering can to fit into the opening; and fertilize weekly. Planting bags can be placed on the ground, benches or tables of any convenient height. They can be easily moved from one location to another. Although the planting bags are temporary and relatively expensive, they can produce a small garden where other methods are difficult. ● Hanging Baskets - Hanging baskets are not much different than any other container. However, their small size may require more frequent watering. Hanging baskets may be inaccessible to persons with limited mobility or strength, but a pulley system easily solves this problem. The system needs to be designed so that the rope and its attachment is accessible to any gardener who uses a chair or walker. ● Containers - Containers are what most people picture when they hear, 'Container Gardening.' They can be anything from a standard clay pot, to something more creative like an old whiskey barrel. Accessible Gardening Websites Container Gardening Websites ● Accessible Gardening ● Total Living Center, Inc. ● Healing Gardens ● Master Garden Products ● Garden Forever ● Create an Enabling Garden ● Chicago Botanic Garden ● Guide to Container Gardening Tools || Transporting || Watering || Sit Down Gardening Gardening can be a great activity for individuals with disabilities, with some consideration to the special needs of the gardener. Raised beds provide an excellent option if the individual has the space and mobility to allow them to care for these beautiful garden plots. In planning a raised bed garden, the first step is to access the needs of the gardener. Each raised bed garden will be different depending upon the needs and desires of the individual gardener. As a general rule though, all raised bed gardens should be easily accessible, and fit aesthetically into the surroundings. Some important points to remember in planning a raised bed are: ● Place beds in places where they will receive full sunlight for at least 6 hours per day, or, if space in sunlight is unavailable, use shade-tolerant plants. ● Raised beds will require more watering than traditional gardens, be sure to keep plants well hydrated ● Incorporate fertilizer into the soil when the beds are first filled. ● Use mulch to cut down on evaporation of water. ● Avoid the use of chemicals in pest control. ● Be sure any materials used in the construction of the beds have not been treated, if they have, line the bed with plastic to prevent seepage into your plants. There are several types of raised beds, consider each one carefully before selecting the one that will best meet the needs of the gardener. Raised Ground Beds Deep Raised Beds Terracing and Retaining Walls Elevated Beds Raised beds can be constructed of almost any material. Below you will find a list of the most common materials, and some advantages and disadvantages of each. It is up to the individual gardener to determine which material is best suited to their individual needs. Construction Materials Raised Bed Standard Dimensions Once you select a type of raised bed and construction material, it is time to build the bed and prepare it for the plants you will select to grow. Soil preparation is vital to successful gardening. As stated previously, it is a good idea to add extra fertilizer to your soil when filling the bed. Once it is filled, double-digging is the best strategy to yield healthy plants. This may involve enlisting the help of a friend or hiring someone as it is a strenuous task. Remove the top 12 inches of soil from the bed. Insert a spade or spading fork into the next 10-12 inches and wiggle the handle back and forth to break up the compacted layers, repeat this every 6-8 inches throughout the bed. Mix the topsoil with a generous amount of compost or manure and return it to the bed. It well be fluffy and several inches higher than ground level. To raise the bed to 8-10 inches, take topsoil and mix it in well. Accessible Gardening Websites Raised Bed Gardening Websites ● Accessible Gardening ● Raised Bed Gardening ● Healing Gardens ● Gardening Tips on Raised Beds ● Garden Forever ● Pots 2 Plots ● Chicago Botanic Garden ● Raised Gardens When constructing an adapted garden, vertical gardens, or trellis', provide an excellent option for those gardeners lacking in space. Trellis can be constructed almost anywhere, made out of almost any material. From store bought to found pieces, trellis are excellent places to grow climbing plants, such as ivy, as well as flowers and vegetables. Trellis can be adapted to different heights depending upon the needs of the individual. Accessible Gardening Websites Trellis Gardening Websites ● Accessible Gardening ● Supports for Climbing Plants ● Healing Gardens ● Climbing Plants ● Garden Forever ● Sustainable Landscapes from Garden to ● Chicago Botanic Garden Plate Gardening is, by far, one of the most popular pastimes in the United States. It can provide both physical and mental benefits. But this relaxing hobby can become a chore when one is faced with physical limitations. But with a little creativity and planning, people who have never gardened, or who haven't been able to garden recently can enjoy this rewarding hobby. Below you'll find links to pages dealing with specific health issues that you may be encountering as you begin or continue to garden.