Arthritis Research UK article 3, gadgets and tools

Handy tools and nifty gadgets for gardening with arthritis

Over the last year or so I have been lucky enough to have done lots of garden tools product testing some of which I have found so useful I don’t know what I would do without them. Here are just a few to that you might also find useful and easy to use.

One of the most annoying things for me is pruning. I have always found it difficult, from small flower stems to roses and bigger woody shrubs. Not anymore with my array of snipers and secateurs. Unfortunately they are not all cheap but some are definitely worth the investment.

The most useful all rounder is Wolf Garten’s product, cordless secateurs. Priced at £119 these are some of the most expensive secateurs however if you were ever to invest in anything to make your garden life easier this is the product. It is very lightweight, left or right handed, one handed action or two in my case.

Once you get it started you don’t have to keep pressing the trigger it just keeps going until you let go. It is not shy at chopping through most stems and I can now prune the garden all I like, when I like much to my husband, James’ annoyance as I prune everything very low and never clear up. The chopped off bits are too low for me to bend down and pick them up.

Some of the very best and most useful tools I have had tested are the garden tools from www.peta-uk.com  these tools are very competitively priced and I could not garden without them. They are ergonomically the best designed tools for people with arthritis. They are light weight and take the strain out digging, weeding and planting.

One thing that is really useful is the arm support cuff that can be attached to the tools. it really helps to support weak wrists and hands. I would highly recommend these tools and at £9.95 for one or £25 for three it really is worth it. They also do long handled versions so if, like me you garden mostly sitting down you can still reach everything, they are also great for reaching further away without the need for bending.

Watering also used to be a big no no for and I used to have to watch my hanging baskets wilt waiting for James to come home and save them. I had to give this some serious thought. Firstly we put all the baskets lower down and although this made it easier for deadheading I still couldn’t lift a watering can full of water. However one 5 litre garden sprayer and a shopping bag on wheels later I had invited my own portable watering system.

The long hose reaches the baskets with no heavy lifting I just squeeze the trigger and away I go. James cut a short piece of garden hose that attaches to the outside tap so that I can fill it up. I know have two, one with just water in and the other with soluble plant food. All bases covered, all baskets, pots and beds watered

Another invaluable piece of garden equipment is my box trolley. I used to spend ages going up and down with this tool and that, back again for the plants and compost, by which time my legs ached and my back hurt and I didn’t feel like planting anything. Then I remembered I had a great box trolley that I used to have when I was at work. Now I fill it with everything I need and wheel it about between planting areas. There is a theme here I think, wheels! Put everything on wheels and you are away

Artcicle two. Arthritis Research UK gardening week

Niki Preston looks at garden design

Give some thought to the lay out and design of your garden. There is no point having a huge lawn and deep borders if you have limited mobility, after all who is going mow the lawn and weed the beds. Raised bed gardening is definitely worth a try. I have a totally raised garden.

It wasn’t achieved over night, in fact it has taken three years and it was done in stages. I still have my big borders they just have raised beds in now; most of them were made from decking by my very handy husband, James. If a complete garden makeover is simply out of the question then here are a few ideas that might be worth a try.

Have a good look around your garden and decide which parts you really would like to garden in more easily. Placing stepping stones in strategic places can provide a good solid surface to stand on. This year we are planning some new pathways across the lawn as I can no longer walk on uneven surfaces and I finally managed to convince James to give up some of the lawn. So consider a few pathways to get you to the bits of garden that are impossible or too precarious to get to.

I have also recently added several raised beds and pots to the patio because on really bad days when I can hardly walk at all, my garden still calls to me so making the patio accessible has been brilliant. I can get my garden fix even on very painful days, sitting and whizzing about the patio on my chair to the different beds, pots and even the raised pond.

Having several different seating areas is also a good idea, nothing fancy just a seat. That way you can garden to the seat then take a break, sit where you are instead of having to walk back to the house, then garden a bit more to the next seat. It is also a great way to admire your garden from every angle.

A little bit at a time and you will soon have an accessible garden, start with a few pots and the garden is your oyster.

Articles for Arthritis research UK gardening week

http://www.maturetimes.co.uk/preparation/

Preparation for Spring with Niki Preston and Arthritis Research UK

Gardening blogger from Peterborough, Niki Preston, ‘The Two Fingered Gardener’, is helping to encourage gardening, particularly among people with arthritis and joint pain, who can find it difficult to undertake everyday tasks such as gardening, with their condition. Here is the start of our week long gardening campaign!

One of the most important things about gardening is making sure you are comfortable and probably the most forgotten item is clothing. Try and find something that is cosy and loose fitting with plenty of pockets. I wear dungarees specifically designed for gardening by www.gardengirl.co.uk however these are quite pricey, a cheaper alternative is possible with a pair of comfy joggers and a fleece with big pockets.

Pockets are essential; I am always stuffing wire and labels in mine and always carry a small pair of snipers. A really important item is your mobile phone, I learnt this by falling over in the garden and no one knew so I had the rather embarrassing wait for someone to find me and ask “What are you doing down there?” so now my phone comes with me all the time to make the rescue call if needed, which it hasn’t since then, typical.

Shoes are often ignored too, you just shove any old pair on, off you go and wonder why you have sharp thorns in your toes or you feel very uncomfortable by the time they come off. A good solid pair of garden clogs, such as www.gardendiva.co.uk these are great as not only are they very squishy and supportive you can get lovely garden designs too, mine are roses, and they have lavender and veggie on too. Shoes that you just slip on are great, no bending or pulling needed.

It is very easy to get lost in the tranquility of your garden and time flies by. You suddenly realise you have done far too much and you can hardly move. To combat this get a good, loud timer and set it to your preferred time, mine is 20 minutes; I really need a break and a sit down by this time. Make sure when your timer goes off you take a breather, this is also a great time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your hard work, admire your garden as well as work in it.

If at all possible try and garden with raised beds and sitting down I have a wonderful bright pink office chair that I wheel about on when I am on the patio, its great fun and so much less strain on your hips and back. It is height adjustable to so you can be at the right level all the time.

I have also found microwavable wheat bags a real bonus in the garden. After all cold is the bane of an arthritis suffers life. Heat up a long wheat bag, lavender ones are great as they smell gorgeous and are very relaxing. Take it out with you and wrap it around your painful bits, hips, back and even your hands to give them a warm up when needed. Most wheat bags will keep warm for a couple of hours.

I really hope some of my tried and tested ideas will inspire you to get out there and give gardening a go, get moving, get growing, get excited about gardening.

Exciting Times Ahead

Finally the sun has come out and all the perennials have been cut back. Whilst out in the sun with Bailey bouncing about after the birds my mind was constantly buzzing with ideas. Why? I hear you cry. There are exciting times ahead that's why :)

Firstly I am to be the spokesperson for a new campaign by Arthritis Research UK. I will be taking part in a weeks worth of garden advice on such things as tools, how to make your garden work for you, planting,pruning, lots and lots. My head is spinning with all the ideas I have going round. Luckily for me I have some fabulous friends on Facebook in my garden group, The Two Fingered Gardener and friends and they have all given me some wonderful ideas, I would be lost with out them.

I am also putting together a piece on me and spring gardening for www.shootgardening.co.uk   which I am busy jotting down ideas and ways to make it interesting, not just a run of the mill, do this now, plant that now, yawn yawn.

As April fast approaches I am really really looking forward to going back to Syon House for Gardening Against The Odds, last year a winner, this year A JUDGE!! I get to see Alan Titchmarsh all over again only in a professional capacity this time, not just a completely over excited fan, as I was last year.

 I am very sure I have more to tell you, in fact I know I have but the sun is shining and the garden is calling.

The Two Fingered Gardener becomes a Nanny

A truly fabulous start to the year with the birth of my first grandchild. My son Andrew and his girlfriend had their first baby, a beautiful little girl born on New Year's day! Little Kayleigh Louise arrived at 6.42pm weighing in at 6lbs 13. I love love love being a nanny :):) it is the best feeling in the world.

6 in 1 multi opener review

I have been testing this great kitchen gadget, available from Essential aids. It is a brilliant device and I would recommend one to anyone who has trouble opening any kind of jar, can,tin, even packets!

This is my first kitchen gadget review as I usually do gardening bits and bobs but I really enjoyed it and hopefully will get to do more.

please have a read, any comments are always gratefully received :)

http://disabilitynow.org.uk/article/6-1-multi-opener-new-twist-getting-jars-tins-and-packets

Audacity magazine article about me and gardening with a disabilty

I was recently asked to write for Audacity Magazine, a great online magazine all about living with disability. Please follow the link or read below my article. It is a bit of a intro to me and my disability and how I garden and of course how much I love it.


http://www.audacitymagazine.com/the-two-fingered-gardener-blooms-all-year-long/

The Two Fingered Gardener Blooms All Year Long

06/23/2013 by Nathasha Alvarez Leave a Comment

Two Fingered Gardener

My name is Niki Preston, also known as The Two Fingered Gardener. I was born with Phocomelia so I have two fingers on my right hand and a tiny little one on my left arm. Both my arms are short and do not bend at all and just for good measure I also have dodgy hip and knee joints. I am married to the lovely James and we have three grown up children and an assistance dog called Bailey.

After moving to a house with a much bigger garden a few years ago, it soon became apparent that one of us would need to learn how to garden and as James really did not have any enthusiasm for the task so it fell to me. Now it has become my greatest passion. I have even won an award and met my gardening hero, Alan Titchmarsh.

Sharing my love of gardening has led me down a completely new path, so to speak and I began writing about how I garden even though my disability makes it quite difficult. I have learned to become very creative and now I feel it is time to share this with others. Hopefully inspire people to give it a go or to start again if they have given up through adversity. Featuring in Amateur Gardening magazine, The Guardian, BBCouch! Garden News and now Audacity magazine I hope I am beginning to spread the word. Product testing accessible garden tools has also begun to take off so I hope you might find some useful handy tips and ideas.

Gardening to me anyway, is very therapeutic; it lifts my spirits whenever I have bad days. I get totally lost in myself and it is probably the only time I can forget about constant pain, where I am free to be just me.  After all a garden is not judgmental, it just rewards all your love and care with beauty, colour and yummy veggies.

If you are new to gardening and just want to give it a go I hope some of my advice will point you in the right direction. Firstly, don’t worry about lack of space. Any space can be made into a garden. You can use pots, window sills anywhere even your dining room table, which I do a lot. Raised bed gardening is by far the best, no back breaking bending and they can be placed at the correct height for you, so wheelchair access is perfect too.

I grow all my flowers, veg and herbs in raised beds, all mixed in together. The effect is quite something and there is always something to look at and tend too. Give a little bit of consideration to your individual capabilities and what you feel you can manage. Things like long term plant care, dead heading, pruning, that kind of thing. Everything is possible with a bit of determination which we all have in spades (excuse the pun) and the right tools for the job.

In my quest to find tools for the disabled gardener I have been sent some amazing products, not all of which were designed with disability in mind but I have found they are all useable in one way or another. One set of tools that I have found really handy are children’s sized trowel and forks. Darlac make a superb set with bamboo handles, making them very lightweight. They are also very good quality being made in exactly the same way as the full sized product, unlike other children’s garden tools which are more like toys than tools. These tools feel smooth and are so easy to carry about because they are so strong they can be used all over the place, my husband keeps running off with them, he thinks they are great, looks like he might need his own pair.

Another great asset that I stumbled across is a super comfy and hard wearing pair of gardening dungarees, Sent to me by a Swedish company called gardengirl.co.uk. These dungarees are covered in handy pockets, even a great removable one for your mobile that can be put anywhere on the dungarees, making access to it simple and quick if the need arises.  I tend to fall over a fair bit and being able to have my phone with me whilst I garden has made me feel much safer. The other pockets are a good size and can be filled up with all your tools for the task ahead, small pruning scissors, your Darlac hand tools, garden wire, no need to keep going up and down the garden to get what you need, it is all with you already. They are so comfy to wear too, lots of room for moving, bending, twisting etc and wheelchair users could benefit to, with all the pockets and comfort is a real asset as well, a big consideration when using a wheelchair.

My advice to the beginner is doing a little research into the kind of plants that you like and make sure you can manage them. Perennials are perfect to start with; they come back every year and need less constant care and attention, mostly a bit of deadheading every now and then. Self seeding flowers such a Cosmos, Aquilegia and Verbena Bonariensis, all favourites of mine give a great splash of yearly colour and because they self seed the cost of having a colourful garden is kept to a minimum. If they are grown in pots and raised beds they are much easier to keep under control too. Bulbs are a useful garden staple, just push them under the soil and wait for them to do their thing. What could be simpler or more satisfying than time spent lost in your own little world, no worries, some piece and quiet and fresh air to blow those cobwebs away?

If you need any more advice or just want to know more about me and the other products I have tested, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be found on Twitter @nikijrp and Facebook where I have my own page, The Two Fingered Gardener.

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