New gardener in a wheelchair

[Wheelie]

Hi everybody. I'm new to this forum and new to serious gardening. I'm hoping for a bit of advice and pointing in the right direction.
My husband and I recently moved into sheltered housing because of my disability. I've decided I want to get into gardening and growing my own fruit and veg. Obviously I can't do it using the ground as I can't reach. I am hoping there might be some of you here who can advise me of the best place to find not so much raised beds, but raised long planters that I can get my wheelchair under to plant, weed and look after my crops? I have seen a couple of places that sell what I need but their prices are sky high!

I am also wondering how I would go about growing potatoes. Do they need a deep amount of soil?

Thanks in advance

[bario1]

Welcome to the forum Wheelie!

There are various raised 'trugs' available at some of the large online garden retailers, but like you say, they are really expensive. If you wanted to invest in a few it might be cheaper to ask a local carpenter/handyman to build you some? That way they could be custom made for your ideal working height and leg-room.
As for potatoes, I'd say a foot of soil would be the minimum depth you could get away with. Growing in potato bags or buckets could work for you though?

[burnie]

Welcome Wheelie, some sound advice already given, I too would see if there's a local handyman to assist, what part of the world are you living in? It helps when we need to try and answer your growing questions, the town or county will suffice.

[Jay-ell]

Hello and welcome to the forum Wheelie,

I agree that the raised trugs are pretty expensive, I thing Vegtrug do a line called Poppy which is cheaper, but smaller. The local DIY/Handyman sounds like the best option.

[Bren In Pots]

Hello Wheelie and welcome to the vine, like others have said I do think you'd be better of having something Handyman made to your design, that way you get what you need.

[Nannysally99]

Hello Wheelie, a big welcome from me

[Potstubsdustbins]

Hello and welcome to the mad house you'll enjoy it here.

As to your problem I agree tailor made would be ideal and depended on hubby's tool kit and DIY experience much cheaper.

I made these two planters for my peas just over a metre long each and 750mm front to back (I couldn't reach much further). They are made from 100mm x 19mm treated timber at an average cost of 5 pack 1800mm long about £9 or 5 pack 2400mm long about £11 per pack. Plus some treated 47mm x 47mm for the legs that comes in at about £4 for 2.4mtrs.

[Wheelie]

Welcome Wheelie, some sound advice already given, I too would see if there's a local handyman to assist, what part of the world are you living in? It helps when we need to try and answer your growing questions, the town or county will suffice.

Hello Bernie. I am near Rayleigh in Essex

[Wheelie]

Hello and welcome to the mad house you'll enjoy it here.

As to your problem I agree tailor made would be ideal and depended on hubby's tool kit and DIY experience much cheaper.

I made these two planters for my peas just over a metre long each and 750mm front to back (I couldn't reach much further). They are made from 100mm x 19mm treated timber at an average cost of 5 pack 1800mm long about £9 or 5 pack 2400mm long about £11 per pack. Plus some treated 47mm x 47mm for the legs that comes in at about £4 for 2.4mtrs.

That's a great idea and what I was thinking of.

Sadly, my husband is a nurse. He's great at fixing people but anything DIY he's hopeless (shhhhhh...don't tell him I said that!)
Thank you all for your warm welcome, and also for the advice. I hadn't thought of getting trugs made. I shall go hunt down a carpenter

[Mr Bones]

Hi Wheelie and welcome to the Vine

[veggiechicken]

Hello Wheelie and a very warm welcome from me too
I have an old plastic garden table, with a wooden frame on top, just a 4 sided open box really. Filled with compost, its good for growing shallow rooted things like salad leaves. The table has a hole in the middle for an umbrella, so that serves as a drain hole!
Maybe a cheap option for you?

[Wheelie]

Hello Wheelie and a very warm welcome from me too
I have an old plastic garden table, with a wooden frame on top, just a 4 sided open box really. Filled with compost, its good for growing shallow rooted things like salad leaves. The table has a hole in the middle for an umbrella, so that serves as a drain hole!
Maybe a cheap option for you?

Hi veggie. That idea would work fine for me, but, the area I've been told I can use is on public view and other residents will be walking by, so I have to keep it neat and attractive looking.

[veggiechicken]

I understand My garden looks a bit like Steptoe's yard

[Baldy]

Welcome along Wheelie..

[Cadalot]

Hi Wheelie welcome to the vine

Take a look at 10 Best Raised Garden Beds 2016 Video for ideas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMXOqUAQzUs