Tips on gardening with Arthritis

[veggiechicken]

Hi there,

looking for any tips and techniques on gardening with arthritis.

Thanks

Broch, you and all the other sufferers have my sympathy. I remember my grandfather struggling with his allotment as he had arthritis in his knees. He built himself an exercise bike from an old bike frame, mounted on wooden blocks, and would pedal away in his shed, just to keep himself mobile.
Just an idea but it seemed to work for him.

[Nicos]

I am aware that bee stings can be used as a counter- irritant.
Personally I wouldn't recommend it!

[broch]

This is an article outline - feel free to take the ideas not the words

Sorry about the format - this is just how I think!


I suffer from:

- joint weakness
- instability
- ballance


I have found that weight loss helps all of the above along with:

- management of condition - pain control
- physical activity decreases pain (I know it seems ironic but muscles help support bone - simple mechanics)
- protect joints and avoid injury - it's cold in Scotland so I wrap up well - wear gloves - boots to support ankles
- visit doctor ask questions - I know his first name and am on good terms with their dispensery
- visit arthritis support websites
- talking to family and friends (mainly my wife - she has to listen)


Benefits:

- pease and satisfaction - I get a great feeling of serenity working outside & playing fetch with my dogs
- imporved confidence in my ability to do things, the more I do - the more able I abe to to other things (i'll never be able to dance though)
- encourage use of muscles which in turn help support joints = less pain overall
- enlives my life by revitalising all my 5 senses - touch, smell, sight, hearing, feel.
- veg, fruit and flowers contribute to a healhy household and budgeting (though no everyone appreciates what I have grown!)



My tips, and they do make a difference collectively, are:

- pacing
- regular breaks
- long handled tools
- plan tasks carefully (store tools and supplies locally to where tasks are being done)
- properly sharpen tools (angle grginder)
- use a broadfork for cultivation
- foam insulation on handles to make them confortable to hold
- I use a 4 wheeled garden cart, load up tools & supplied for given job - thus saving reapeated trips to gather these items
- garduated seeders
- vpc pipe to sow seeds, place end where you want seed to land, simply drop seed into tube, move to next seed location.
- I use childrens tools - medium length handles - plus they're brightly coloured.
- use a spring tined rake to pick things up - acts like a hand with fingers spread out.
- don't dig
- cover exposed earth - mulch, mulch, mulch!
- a kneeler - I use a couple of large padded envelopes with an old jumper inside or you could just buy one
- an old bottle crate - for sitting one and leaning on when getting up (put kneeler on top to make comfortable seat then throw ball for dogs)
- Leaver base weeders - weeder have U underneath them and thus help lift weed out with downward pressure
- telescopic tools - e.g. long handles pruners - can stand up when pruning shurbs on ground etc.
- Long haldled watering lance with trigger
- saoker hoses (just discovered how useful these can be)
- bypass pruners - long handled pruners require less pressure to make the cuts
- reased bench - I made mine from old pallets
- raised beds - I have about 7 large ones
- plastic buckets
- large barrels - you know the big blue and green things, excellent for root veg ( I have 8, some for water and 3 cut in half

as raised beds)
- a carpenters tool belt with pouch for carrying smaller things - pruners, string, wire, clips etc
- get someone to help!
- every day is unique, I always try to do something in the garden each and every day


and finaly:

check with doctor before trying any of the above

also please excuse any typos (typing not as easy as it used to be - am looking into speech recognition for typing though)


If this helps only one person I'll be happy


love and happines, broch




p.s. I wonder if the magazine staff read this forum

Lucy if your out there, I love what you create each month and have subscribed for about 5 years

I salute you, your staff and contributors - carry on the good work

[broch]

Hi there

Nicos

I have added my considered thoughts above based on about 4 years of woking out what works for me.

[broch]

I had begun looking into this but other life events took over!

I know some friendly beekeepers - but would need to keep bees off site to avoid issues with neighbours.

Thanks for reminding me.

[SarzWix]

Anyone struggling with gardening with disabilities, it's worth taking a look at Thrive, a charity dedicated to helping people garden against the odds. They have a tool store as well as lots of advice. Thrive, charity using gardening and horticulture to change the lives of disabled people

http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/shop/default.aspx