If aches and pains are starting to limit your ability to garden,“See your garden with new eyes,” Toni Gattone said. She offered numerous suggestions earlier this year at the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show.
“Never give up,” she exhorted. Instead,
“Is your garden sustainable?” she asked. To make your garden tasks easier and more enjoyable, you can go lawnless, install rain barrels, water efficiently, use compost and mulch, go organic, and plant natives to provide habitat. Plant the right plant in the right place to reduce maintenance needs, and likewise, group plants with similar water needs. For hand watering, Gattone suggested a lightweight hose with a thumb-controlled nozzle, or a well-balanced Haws-style watering can.
Stay safe and comfortable by always wearing gloves, keeping hydrated, and either using sunscreen or wearing SPF 50 apparel and hat.
You can garden on a patio with tall raised beds, containers, or vertical gardening. Containers should be at least 8-10 inches deep to allow enough soil volume for roots, Gattone said. Add pot feet so that the pot can drain without sitting in water. Fabric pots are an easy-to-use alternative. A gutter garden attached to a fence or wall can grow all your salad greens.
If you are redesigning your garden, Gattone suggested making sure paths are 3 to 4 ft. wide with a firm surface. Put some seating in shady areas to cool off on hot days, or in a sunny area to catch some warmth on a nice winter day.
Furthermore, Gattone encouraged “smart shopping” to find ergonomic tools that are lightweight and balanced and offer the best fit for you. She also described ways to adapt existing tools. “Buy the best you can afford,” she said. She suggested the following:
Reacher tools have endless uses. I've used simple ones to pick soft fruit such as mulberries and plums that are beyond my reach. This is also a great tool for picking up large magnolia leaves that fall between the sharp edges of agaves.
Succulents are a good choice for a small low-maintenance garden that needs minimal water. Combine a variety of interesting colors and shapes.
Plant easy-care native groundcovers instead of a lawn to keep weeds down and invite beneficial insects. This low-growing ceanothus has blue flowers in the spring and needs minimal water once established.
Mint is the perfect herb for a container near your kitchen door, as long as it gets some sun and regular water. Planted in the ground it can be invasive, but in shallow containers it can provide a steady supply of fresh mint all summer.
© 2016 Tanya Kucak