Ever More Determined

by Mary Glazer

Recently a store clerk asked, “How old are you?” Friends tell me I look younger than my age, so anticipating another compliment, I straightened my shoulders and with a toss of my hair, proudly answered, “I’m 50.” Then she handed me a card stating in big black capital letters: Senior Citizen Discount! It’s official...I’m a senior citizen.

Senior or not, gardening with chronic pain can really slow you down, whether you have hip, knee, or back problems, carpal tunnel or fibromyalgia. When our bodies change, we need to change other things, too. Are you using tools that don’t suit you anymore? Are you forcing your body to have the endurance you used to have? Are you making more work for yourself by putting the wrong plant in the wrong place? Are you constantly pruning a 12-foot bush into the 3-foot bush you should have planted in the first place?

I’m reminded of the story of four generations of a family sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner. The tradition in this family was to cut the turkey in half and use two roasting pans. When the youngest grandchild asked why, her mother answered, “Because, that’s the way my mother always did it.” Grandmother’s answer was the same. Surely this was some meaningful custom passed down through the generations. Finally great-grandmother explained, “Because when I was first married, I didn’t have a pan big enough to roast the whole turkey.”

Let’s not make this mistake as gardeners. When it comes to chronic pain, it’s time to re-evaluate old habits. The first thing to think about is whether your limitations involve a specific body part, overall endurance or both.

If you have a problem with endurance, you will have to learn a scary new virtue — patience! Set a kitchen timer when you go outside. Maybe you can’t do the whole project in one day like you used to. That’s okay. Your garden will wait. As for weeds, look on the bright side; if you ignore them long enough, some will meet you half way and you won’t have to bend down to pull them!

For specific problems, like using your hands, look for the newer, more ergonomically designed hand tools. Old-fashioned trigger nozzles for garden hoses put the wrist at an unnatural angle and require 2 hands to change the water pressure. Wide cylinder-shaped nozzles are easier on the wrist and the wider diameter is easier for fingers to grip. As an extra bonus, the spray on these nozzles is easily adjusted with one hand, using the index finger and thumb.

If you have favorite hand tools that you just can’t bear to replace, modify the handles yourself by cutting off a section of one of the kids’ or grandkids’ pool “noodles.” Poke a hole in the middle and slide it over your hand tool. Standard plumbing insulation works equally well, especially on long-handled tools like rakes and hoes.

Take a long, hard look at your hand pruners. Are they too big for your hand? Can you easily grip both handles when the blades are open? If not, look for one that opens with a smaller angle. Ratchet pruners are good for gardeners with limited hand strength. Instead of pushing the handles together once per cut, use them like scissors, opening and closing the handles until the chore is done. When my carpal tunnel or elbow tendonitis flares, these are my favorite pruners.

For gardeners with shoulder problems and/or trouble reaching, use a 3-foot long “S” hook to hang up lightweight items like wind chimes. These hooks are also beneficial for those with lifting or balance issues; they eliminate the need to drag out a heavy ladder. To water overhead hanging baskets, use the long-handled watering wands that attach to the hose. Or attach a pulley system to bring the hanging basket down to your level.

Heavy fertilizer bags can strain your back, even with a wheelbarrow. Switch to time-release fertilizer granules. The containers are smaller and easier to handle, and the granules are applied less frequently than standard fertilizers.

If you have walking limitations, carry small supplies like twist ties or seeds with you. A little garden apron or even a fishing vest will serve the purpose. For gardeners with standing limitations, try using a short-handled shovel from a kneeling position.

If you have trouble rising from a kneeling position, use a garden seat/kneeler product. They are perfect for seated chores and can be turned upside down for kneeling chores. You can also use them to help you stand up.

Switch to lightweight plastic tools when possible. I prefer plastic hand pruners over metal ones. For my yard, a small lightweight plastic wheelbarrow is all I need. It doesn’t hold as much, but it also doesn’t hurt my back to move it. If something feels heavy empty, are you going to be able to handle it when it is full of plants or soil? I prefer terra cotta pots, but use lightweight plastic ones for the plants that get moved frequently.

Extension agents teach us, “right plant, right place.” For gardeners with chronic pain and physical limitations, this isn’t just good advice; it’s critical not to waste our precious physical resources making mistakes. Your local county Extension Office is a vast free resource for specific plants that grow in your zone, including landscape plants, turf grass, vegetables and fruits.

Don’t overlook native plants. They are acclimated to our climate and don’t require constant attention after becoming established. But remember, “right plant, right place,” still applies.

Okay fellow gardeners, hit those hammocks! Take frequent breaks and change your tools, yourself and your plants. Pace yourself and continue to enjoy working in your gardens despite your limitations!

Mary Adams earned her degree in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida, Gainesville.

© 2008 Mary Adams. Originally published in Florida Gardening, Feb / Mar 2008. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.