Garden smarter, not harder

This is the time of year that most of us are thinking about a break from our gardening tasks. As much as we love gardening and the aspects of being outdoors we’re realizing we need to develop easier ways of doing the gardening tasks in our landscape; this could be called adaptive gardening.

I’ll list some ways to make gardening easier. Some of these ideas have been suggested for the elderly or those with a physically handicap, but they will work for all ages.

Before you start your gardening tasks, do stretches to warm up muscles.

Work outdoors during the cool of the day.

Avoid working in the same position or doing the same activity for long periods of time. Switch tasks every 30 minutes or so and take a 15-minute break every hour. Taking periodic stretch breaks can also ease tension and reduce stiffness.

Choose the right tool for the job. Use ergonomic tools. Keep pruners sharp to make cutting easier.

Use a pulley system for hanging baskets, which reduces the weight of the basket by half, and allows it to be pulled down for watering and planting.

If possible, have garden and tools close to the house, so you don’t have to walk far.

Use a cart with wheels to transport your garden tools and plants in one trip.

Use low-maintenance plants that require less care, such as perennials instead of annuals.

Garden vertically. Grow climbing and rambling plants such as cucumbers and squash on trellises and other support structures that allow the gardener to tend plants without all the stooping and bending.

Buy a click seeder, seed tape, or pelleted seed for ease of handling and planting. Pick the smallest watering can for your abilities; a 1- or 2-gallon instead of the usual 3-gallon can.

Sit on a bucket or use a stool to avoid constant stooping or squatting. Buy a kneeler with handles that will help you get up. There are some versions that can be turned over and used as a seat.

As you develop an adaptive gardening plan that suites you, consider installing raised beds. Dimensions may vary for a male versus a female gardener. Consider the gardener’s future need of a walker or wheel chair when designing the raised bed layout. Raised bed kits are available at some farm and garden or other retail stores. WSU Extension publication “Raised Beds – Will They Benefit Your Vegetable Garden?” (FS075E) provides guidance with material selection, spacing, and recommended dimensions. Visit http://gardening.wsu.edu/vegetable-gardens for informative gardening publications.

For answers to gardening questions, contact the Master Gardeners at the WSU Grant-Adams Extension office at 754-2011, ext. 4313 or email your gardening questions to ga.mgvolunteers@wsu.edu. Visit our web page at http://grant-adams.wsu.edu.