subject: Bad Back? Try Container Gardening [print this page] If you love to garden, but hate stooping and bending, you should try planting a container garden. This form of gardening is usually more than just a hobby for the elderly. When anyone, especially the elderly, grow their own food it gives them a sense of accomplishment and saving money.
A container garden is easiest to work if the containers are on raised platforms or tables. In fact, using raised beds is ideal for people who need to work sitting down, or those in a wheelchair. If you or your loved one are not able to construct some kind of workbench to place your containers on you might need some help from a friend, or use the alternate method below.
Custom Work tables or benches are not needed is you don't mind working from a work table, like the ones you find at discount stores. These tables come anywhere from four feet to eight feet in length and are very study. It is important to get the durable work tables and not use game or card tables for your gardening. Working at waste level is what other organic container gardeners love the best.
Once you have your work station set up it is time to gather containers for planting your garden. Just remember that any vegetable like potatoes, that grow beneath the dirt, will need a larger container. As long as your container can have drainage holes made in the bottom, almost any container will work. Although expenses may seem high the first year, you won't ever have to spend that much again.
Working in containers at waist level makes it easy for anyone to work without having to stoop or bend, which is hard on the back and knees. Because some elderly have trouble standing for long periods it is important to have a high enough stool to sit on available. Another one of our container garden tips is to keep a cart next to you when working. If you need to move plants or haul more dirt, it is easy to do when you have a cart or wheelbarrow.
Making Plants Portable
Filling your pots up with regular dirt may make them too heave to move from table to table. The best way to plant in containers is to buy what is called a soil-lessmixture, which is a lot like potting soil. The elderly and handicapped love this mixture because it's easier for them to work with. Lack of weeds is another wonderful experience when it comes to a small organic garden. The time you save picking weeds is worth the price of the soil-less mixture a hundred times over!
Why Container Gardens Are Good For The Elderly, And you will as well
Small spaces make great gardens
Fresh foods right from the plant to the table
Working a container garden is easier on the back and knees
Work tables can be set at a level for people who have to work from sitting down
It saves money
Fresh vegetables provide higher nutrients
People love a hobby that is creative, like gardening
You will be able to find images of how to set up your work area plus container gardening tips on the Internet, so be sure and do some more research before beginning. If you or someone you love has been wanting to have a garden, but didn't think you had enough space, think again. Container gardening is the only way to go and you will find it very fulfilling.
The tips in this article about the raised beds for a work station should convince you that you can have a garden, even if you have problems with your back or knees. Don't wait any longer to enjoy the taste of your very own fresh vegetables.
