Accessible Gardening: Tips & Techniques for Seniors & the Disabled (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Proper planning is important in any gardening venture, but with special-use gardens, it becomes essential that careful thought be given to the layout and design..." (more)
Key Phrases: wheelchair gardeners, accessible garden, accessible landscape, Accessible Gardening, Kansas State University, Department of Horticultural Therapy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Woy offers advice and information for gardeners with special needs: how to plan and lay out an accessible garden; how to construct paths, patios, ramps, steps, handrails, fences, and gates; and how to create raised beds, container gardens, and tabletop gardens. There are instructions on building trellises and plant supports, on soil testing and preparation, on composting, on watering, and on selecting tools. Chapters on lawn care, accessible landscapes, and horticultural therapy also appear. An appendix contains a state-by-state list of accessible public gardens and a list of sources of tools, supplies, and information. This helpful paperback contains 53 line drawings. George Cohen

Product Description

Gardenig can become difficult and strenuous when an accident, illness or advancing age brings on physical disabilities. The guide offers tips and techniques that return the joy of gardening to those with special needs. Included are recommendations for modifying an existing yard for gardening ease, advice on selecting ergonomic tools and low-maintenance plants, as well as directions for constructing raised bed planters.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1 edition (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811726525
• ISBN-13: 978-0811726528
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #390,489 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource Book, December 9, 2004

By	Katelyn Thomas "Mama On the Go editor" (Port Deposit, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Many gardeners are concerned that they will not be able to enjoy their cherished flowers or productive vegetable gardens as they age. Some gardeners have given up gardening because they have become disabled. However, there is an excellent resource for gardeners who want to still garden as they age or when they become disabled. Accessible Gardening by JoAnn Woy is full of simple, useful information that will help gardeners plan new gardens accessible to everyone or to modify old gardens so they can continue to enjoy them.

Chapter one of the book discusses what you will need to think about as you plan and lay out your new garden. Chapter two discusses garden construction, including handrails and gates that are easily operated by someone who is confined to a wheelchair.

Chapter three talks about raised beds and containers, while chapters four through six discuss how to care for a new garden.

Chapter seven reviews different options for ergonomic garden tools. I was fascinated by the options available.

Lawn care and accessible landscapes are covered in chapters eight to nine. The tools that help make lawn care easier and the suggested lawn alternatives are some of the most useful chapters.

Chapter ten talks about accessories that make your gardening experience even better, such as a wheelchair accessable picnic table.

Finally, chapter eleven talks about how professionals use gardens as patient therapy. I really thought this was interesting.

Even one good idea would have made this book well worth the purchase price, but it is crammed with genuinely useful information. If you are considering giving up your gardening hobby because of physical limitations, you may be able to reconsider after implementing some of the ideas in this book.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of accessible gardening., June 22, 2000

By	J (Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews

Woy's book is a readable presentation of tips, techniques, tables and diagrams that enable the reader/gardener to clearly see what she is writing about. Some of her more complicated container, beds, arched trellis over raised bed etc. could use more detailed descriptions as to how to build them. It is a good overview of accessible gardening and her plant charts are useful and well placed; not like the encyclopedia approach that takes up most other books.Vertical gardening section needs to be beefed up.

5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible gardening help, July 16, 2009

By	B. Farron (Washington DC area) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Accessible Gardening by Joann Woy is filled with useful tips and ideas to help senior citizens and/or disabled people continue to garden. There are quite a few line drawings as well.

Because this book was published in 1997, some of the information in the Appendix may be outdated. Future printings should emphasize which plants in the plant lists can be invasive.