Raised bed for bad backs.

[Florence Fennel]

What a good idea Anna!

[Florence Fennel]

Have a think about it over the next few months & come spring if you still want one, let me know,get the materials & I'll come down & make it for you. Call it a late xmas pressy.

You are such a sweetie BM, thank you so much. I hope I don't have to take you up on the offer, but it's lovely of you.

[Alison]

I think dodgy backs & gardening go hand in hand.

Never said they were, but I am sure there are gardeners on the forum that are not lucky enough to have strong backs or are maybe wheelchair bound. Was just an idea I thought I would share......Thanks for the reply & maybe I should keep my thoughts to myself.

Sorry Bigmally, wasn't trying to be critical of the link, but thought that your point that dodgy backs and gardening go hand in hand was unfair so was really commenting on that. If people think a bad back is inevitable then they may be put off or not realise that there are definite steps that most people can take to avoid it. As I said, raised beds can be fine but where possible it's obviously best to avoid the bad back

Only if you don't protect your back by warming up properly, using the right tools and lifting properly.

Due to disease or injury some of us have permanent bad backs that no amount of warming up will make any difference to. I've only had mine for 40-odd years and I've kinda got used to it but I have to be very careful so anything that makes gardening easier is to be welcomed. I have benches for filling and planting my containers and get help with lifting. I also use a no-dig system now and have one of those kneeler things for when I have to get down to ground level. There may come a time when I need something like BM suggested but I suspect it'll be cobbled together a-la-Snadger.

Not doubting people have bad backs but that doesn't mean that they are caused by gardening (as you say, disease and injury can play a big part) or inevitable if you garden.

Hope that this makes more sense now

[womble]

Not doubting people have bad backs but that doesn't mean that they are caused by gardening (as you say, disease and injury can play a big part) or inevitable if you garden.

I think what Bigmally means, is that if you are gardening and have a bad back, it is very evident and difficult to work well.
I suffer on and off and have times through the year when I can't do anything almost. I didn't get it through gardening, but it can be aggravated by it.

[Bigmallly]

My appologies, I should have worded it a little differently. The link was really to alert folks with disabilities (me included) of options available. It would be a shame to lose a passion just because you cannot bend down.

[gojiberry]

First saw these raised trug beds about 9 months ago and the large one was available for £99.99, quite an increase in price in 9 months. Would be great if someone came up with some measurements and a cutting list for those not so good at DIY. Will look at it long term but just don't have the time at present.

Ian

[womble]

It would be a shame to lose a passion just because you cannot bend down.

We're still talking gardening here, right?

[Bigmallly]

We're still talking gardening here, right?

That's open to any passion you may have womble...................but yes, I had gardening in mind.

[Bren In Pots]

There's a plan on instructables.com for a Mobile-Vegie-Garden I think it might be a bit heavy to push around once its filled with compost though.

[womble]

I like this idea.
Moveable Carport Garden

These are readily available cheaply and last a long time.

[greengas]

Only if you don't protect your back by warming up properly, using the right tools and lifting properly. It's the same as in the rest of life, if you use your knees and core then you'll be fine and not suffer with back problems. Raised beds can be a good idea but they can also be very costly and time consuming to make so definitely aren't the only answer.

What if like me your knees rubbish!

[Alison]

What if like me your knees rubbish!

Funnily enough I do have a dodgy knee (caused by sports rather than gardening ) and particularly if the weather is damp I have to strap it up with a neoprene support and definitely make sure I keep it in a straight line and not twist it.