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10 accessible gardening tools and accessories
From hands-free mowers to midi-length shovels...
A few months ago, my boyfriend of three years, Paul, moved into my bungalow in Staffordshire and developed a keen interest in gardening. But this new passion also put gardening accessibility under the spotlight for us.
Paul has used a wheelchair full-time since a car accident aged 21 and, over the past few months, we’ve discovered some of the problems wheelchair users can face while gardening – but also how some simple design choices and tool swaps can make a garden more accessible.
Floor-level flowerbeds, for example, can’t be easily accessed from wheelchair height – so we've added tall pots to our outdoor space, so plants can be reached from a seated position.
My second-hand Flymo lawnmower also proved too heavy, but with research we found the LawnMaster – an robotic mower that tackles grass-cutting on its own.
Long-handled tools can also be awkward to use and carry, but we've discovered half-length handles on forks and spades, which are perfect for wheelchair height.
Another barrier Paul experienced was having enough space to move freely in our garden, so we’ve extended the patio as a result (wheelchairs can get stuck in the grass when it rains).
In this short time, Paul and I have uncovered many tricks for gardening and we’ve put together 10 of our top accessible gardening tools that have helped us over the past few months…
Lawnmaster LawnMaster VBRM16 OcuMow
This LawnMaster is perfect for a small to medium-sized lawn (like ours). It's hands-free and cordless, and all works with a simple charger. You simply 'drop and mow' to enable gardeners to sit back and watch this mower do the hard work. We've nicknamed ours 'Robert'.
LawnMaster LawnMaster L12 Robot Lawn Mower
LawnMaster LawnMaster L12 Robot Lawn Mower
If you've got a larger lawn, the Lawnmaster L12 Robot Lawnmower is a bigger and more powerful option – compared to the VBRM.
For larger gardens, simply set up a mow-boundary with the wire included.
Garden Gear 20V Cordless Lithium-ion Grass Trimmer
Garden Gear 20V Cordless Lithium-ion Grass Trimmer
With flexible height that adjusts from 95cm to 115cm, and to a 90 degrees angle, this trimmer is the perfect height for a variety of wheelchairs and mobility scooters – and not a cord in sight to get stuck in wheels.
This one also comes with a lawnmower attachment, so it can transforms into an easy-to-use lawnmower for your grass, should you need it.
Spear & Jackson Spear & Jackson Traditional Stainless Weed Fork
Homebase stocks the Spear & Jackson Traditional Stainless Weed Fork. It features a slightly longer handle for low-level planting, which means wheelchair users don't struggle with leaning down for lower-level weeding.
This Homebase midi shovel is perfect for wheelchair users with its mid-height handle and lightweight design for ease of use.
The mid-height of this tool enables gardening in a similar-height wheelchair.
Keter 250001 Store It Out Pro Outdoor Storage Shed
Keter 250001 Store It Out Pro Outdoor Storage Shed
With common sheds, entrances are often too narrow to fit-in a wheelchair or mobility scooter, and steps or lips prevent easy (and safe) access.
With this boxy Keter 250001 Store It Out Pro, which features wide-opening doors, Paul and I can safely access our tools in a flat container. We have also bought a simple lock to ensure our tools are safe overnight.
These practical gardening gloves come in hardwearing genuine leather and are both protective and practical when Paul is gardening in his manual chair, which he uses his hands to move in.
CHRISTOW Mini Portable Compact Garden Growhouse
CHRISTOW Mini Portable Compact Garden Growhouse
This three-tier and 4ft-high greenhouse is great for planters with its various shelving units, all of which can be easily accessed by wheelchair users.
Outdoor Hampton Copper Planter Set of 2
This duo of copper pots are 38cm and 44cm high – and this raised bed level means wheelchair users can reach plants without having to stretch to the ground.
Wilkinson Sword Long-Handled Lawn Shears
Wilkinson Sword Long-Handled Lawn Shears
These long-handled lawn shears are a must-buy garden tool at under £30. They're designed for lawn trimming without bending or straining your back with their 820mm steel tubular handles.
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