Raised Beds

          

  Today I would like to continue the discussion regarding various garden styles that are friendlier to the disabled than the traditional garden. Raised beds are a good option for people who are unable to bend and kneel, or who use a wheelchair. Now, while I understand that an initial reaction may involve thoughts of, “How can a disabled person use a raised bed when they are only 12 – 18 inches off the ground?” Well, the answer is; they can’t, when they’re 12 – 18 inches off the ground. The secret to utilizing a raised bed for people in this situation is to create a bed that is height friendly.

            There are no hard fast rules that state a raised bed can only be so high. One must just use a little imagination and you can raise your bed to whatever height you need. There is two ways to build the bed. You can choose to simply build a 12-18 inch deep box and place it on legs to the desired height, or you can create a full sized bed from the ground up. Let’s take the average height of a wheelchair armrest; about 30 inches. Build the bed to that height, make the beds more narrow than the average 4 foot recommendation so that you are able to reach to the middle of it, and allow yourself access to both sides. If it’s only possible to access one side then simply modify the design so that you are able to reach all the way across.

            Depending on the building materials you choose to use for the beds, it may be necessary to get a friend or loved one to help build the initial bed. Most raised beds are more easily constructed when two or more people work together anyway. Plot your area out carefully taking into consideration the amount of direct sunlight the area gets throughout the day and purchase your plants accordingly.

  

            If using the ground up method of beds it is not necessary to fill the entire space with topsoil and compost. There are many different filler options available but you want to be sure that what you choose fits your needs. In other words, you wouldn’t want to use any materials that could leach contaminants into a vegetable bed. What might be fine for flowers may not be the best choice for edibles. Here is a list of some options that I’m aware of and some notes to consider before choosing which filler is best suited to your needs.

Non-edibles:

Crushed Plastic 2 liter bottles, Crushed Milk Jugs, Large Pieces of Styrofoam with Drainage Holes, Soda Cans, Non-dissolving Packing Peanuts (If going this route please be sure to contain them in some type of large plastic mesh bag like the ones used for onions or potatoes. Not only will uncontained peanuts end up all over your yard when re-mixing the soil; Styrofoam peanuts are deadly to any wildlife that may ingest them)

Edibles:

Sand, Gravel, Rocks. You may also create a false bottom by using wood or Styrofoam but you will need to use a layer of landscape fabric and at least 1 inch of sand to help prevent any leaching from the Styrofoam. Do not use pressure treated wood for a vegetable bed. While these precautions should help, they are certainly not 100%. If I was the one making a bed for edibles I would want to be sure all the materials were organic and chemical free.

            That all said, a raised bed is a good choice for people unable to bend or kneel, or if you are using a wheelchair. Be sure to include the standard 12-18 inches of topsoil and compost after using the filler and then enjoy tending to your plants. If the idea of building raised beds seems to overwhelming or impractical purchasing pre-made is always an option, or tune in for the next entry when I’ll be discussing container gardening. There may be more possiblities here for you than you think.

Lasagna Gardening

           

 One of the types of gardening that was mentioned in yesterday’s post was lasagna gardening. I’ve decided to discuss this method first since there was some interest shown in it by a few people. This method is particularly suited to people who are unable, or would just prefer not to, dig and till the soil. I would say that between container gardening, raised beds, and lasagna gardening, the latter most closely resembles the look and feel of a traditional garden. Because this method is usually done on the ground level it will require bending and kneeling. Now just because ground level is the norm, does not mean that people can’t be creative and also use this method in a raised bed. Alright, let’s get down the basics of the lasagna garden.

            The most important aspect of lasagna gardening is the layering. Just like making lasagna, various layers of materials are applied in a repeating manner until the desired depth of planting material has been achieved. After you have plotted a space for the garden you will need a sufficient amount of newspaper, organic material, and peat moss to reach a depth of 18 to 24 inches. When gathering your newspaper, be sure to avoid any colored adds, glossy pages, or Sunday comics. A good mix of grass clippings, leaves, compost, and manure serve as the perfect combination of organic material.

          

  The first layer to go down is the newspaper. The paper layer should be 3-4 inches thick. You will need to completely saturate the paper with water. Some people use a hose to drench each individual layer of paper while building up to the 3-4 inch depth needed. Another method is pre-soaking the papers in a tub, or other container, of water. The important thing is to make sure it is thoroughly wet and that you overlap the edges about 4-5 inches when putting it down. After the paper comes the peat moss. You should create a layer between 2 and 3 inches thick. Follow this with a 3-4 inch layer of your organic material. You then simply repeat the layers until you reach the 18-24 inch depth. Wet the finished bed until you have a sponge like consistency.

            Your lasagna bed is now complete and ready for planting. There is no need to let the layers rest, cook, or anything else for that matter. Simply cut through the layers to the specified planting depth of the plants, or seeds, you wish to grow and put them in. Many people choose to use mulch around their plants to help retain moisture and cut back on weed development. Provide the plants with an appropriate amount of water and sunlight throughout the growing season and your garden should thrive. This method is most commonly used to grow vegetables and annuals. I have, however, heard of people using it to plant perennials and even shrubs and small trees. When planting something more “permanent” than annuals, it is my understanding that you should allow the garden to “bake” for 3-4 weeks before planting. This allows the materials to sink down some. You may also have to add more mulch as the season progresses and the plants settle into the soil below the bed.  

 All in all, lasagna gardening can be quite satisfying and prolific. It is a method that simulates the natural soil without the back breaking work of removing sod and tilling up the ground. One more helpful hint; before you begin your garden make sure you have it located in an area where it will receive the appropriate amount of sunlight for the plants you wish to grow. Well, that’s it for today. Tomorrow I will talk about raised beds. This is a wonderful option for people who cannot bend or are wheelchair bound. See you then.

And so the Garden Begins

          

  What better day than the Vernal Equinox to start a new blog about gardening? But this isn’t just any gardening blog. I’ve decided to focus on gardening issues that people with disabilities face. There are many different types of gardens, as well as, ways to garden. Just because you, or people you care about, have an obstacle keeping them from a traditional garden does not mean they can’t experience the fulfillment that one receives from digging into the earth and nurturing life from it.

            Let’s face it, traditional gardening can be tough for even the healthiest and most fit. I have been involved in gardening and nature activities for the vast majority of my life. Over the past five years, though, I have had special challenges to deal with. I have a disabling disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. This disease is in the family of Rheumatic Arthritis but focuses primarily on the hips and spine. I have slowly been losing mobility in my legs and back which has made walking, among other things, very difficult. Now a days I use a cane, I have trouble lifting even the lightest of objects and bending and getting up from a seated position can be down right pain staking.

            I know that there are too many people out there in the world who are experiencing issues in their life which make it impossible for them to have the customary interaction with gardens and nature that others enjoy. I am setting my experience on the written page so that together, we can learn new ways to bring our garden dreams into fruition.

            There are three types of non-traditional gardening methods that jump immediately to mind; container gardening, raised beds, and lasagna gardening. Each one of these methods has advantages that meet the needs of the plants and also the gardener who faces physical challenges. My next few entries will examine each of these in detail. Knowing what garden type is best suited to your personal needs is a huge step in becoming a successful gardener.

            The last thing I would like to talk about today is reader participation. It would be greatly appreciated and beneficial to so many people if readers would contribute their thoughts and ideas. Any questions that come to mind or helpful suggestions are always welcome. This blog is for us, we who refuse to watch nature through the window. Let’s get out there and garden!