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This
month . . . __________________________________ Check out our article on the 2005 Mantis Awards. Read article here __________________________________ You'll also find an article about the accessible garden program of one of the 2005 Mantis Award winners, Camp ASCCA in Jackson's Gap, AL. Read article here __________________________________ Don't miss the Plant of the Month, Resources, and News Items! |
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Gardens provide a safe place for them to experience nature and discover the cycles of life. Gardening helps kids develop an understanding of the environment, and instills love and respect for the earth.
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Gardening exposes kids to fresh fruits and vegetables, providing them with motivation to try these healthy foods and improve their nutritional attitudes and behaviors.
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Gardening is a source of physical activity. Too many young people spend a majority of their free time in front of a TV or computer screen, but gardens give them a reason to be outside and be active, and offer an opportunity to work off their excess energy and stress.
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The garden provides a peaceful spot to relax and reflect. It is also a place of beauty that they can be proud of and share with others.
Gardens are a marvelous hands-on teaching tool for kids of all ages, and researchers are gathering more evidence every day of other advantages of gardening. You'll find more information about these research findings here: “What have plants done for you lately?”
With so many positive effects, who would argue against giving children a chance to stick their hands in the soil and to nurture a plant? However, questions arise about the accessibility and safety of gardens for kids with special needs. The ‘traditional’ garden with narrow paths and ground-level planting presents physical challenges that limits or even eliminates some youths' ability to enjoy and work in a garden. Not to worry! There are plenty of creative people who are constantly working on adaptations to open gardening opportunities to kids with special needs. Below you will find a few ideas for creating an accessible garden for individuals of all abilities. Pictures for this article were taken at the Accessible Garden at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, which is directed by Dr. Joe Novak.
Tips for Creating an Accessible Garden
Install
Accessible Pathways
Navigation to and through
the garden requires careful
consideration.
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Optimum accessible pathways are 5 feet wide; they should be no narrower than 4 feet.
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The surface needs to be smooth and level. Fill large holes or cracks that may catch a toe or impede a wheelchair.
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Check to make sure water drains properly to prevent muddy or slippery spots.
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Avoid steps and create a gently sloping ramp if an elevation change is needed. Handrails are a great addition.
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Concrete is an excellent choice, however there are many crushed rock products on the market providing similar surfaces.
Build
Raised Beds
You can build raised beds from many materials -- wood, rock,
concrete blocks, plastic
timbers, and
old tires, to
name a few.
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Choose the height of the bed based on the audience you plan to serve.
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Beds with a large ledge at a comfortable sitting height allow gardeners to sit rather than stand or squat while they work.
- Beds resembling tables allow gardeners in wheelchairs to slide under them so the work surface is in their lap.
- Even a large clay pot or smaller pots set on a raised surface will suffice.
- Make sure beds are no more than 3 or 4 feet wide and accessible on multiple sides for optimum utility.
The article “Gardening in Raised Beds and Containers for Older Gardeners and Individuals with Physical Disabilities”, by Horticultural Therapy expert Dr. Diane Relf, is an excellent source of ideas.
Type
of Raised Bed
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Example
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Raised
beds for wheelchairs
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Multi-tiered
raised beds (top bed is tall enough for someone to stand
and garden if more comfortable)
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Raised
bed with a ledge for sitting
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Raised
bed with toe space for feet to help with balance
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Plant Vertical
Gardens
Plant up instead
of out!
There are a number
of
different
types of vertical
gardens.
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Create a raised bed with a trellis at the back or in the center to support vining plants.
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Secure containers to a wall at varying heights.
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Create a garden "wall" by placing plastic-wrapped soil between strong, secured wire fencing. Plant by cutting holes in the plastic and inserting transplants.
Type
of Vertical Garden
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Example
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Raised
bed with trellis background
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Vertical
garden designed so someone in a wheelchair can work
on both sides of the trellis
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Old
gutters attached to a fence and planted with herbs
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Growing
wall with soil wrapped in black plastic and secured with
wire fencing
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Top
of growing wall
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Growing
wall with mature herbs
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Place Hanging Baskets
on Pulleys
Hanging baskets
are simply container gardens raised
in the air. They can be positioned
within reach or suspended with a pulley
so you can easily
move them up and down
for planting, watering, and maintenance.
Avoid
Garden Clutter
Tools, empty
pots, and piles of pulled weeds and spent plants are not only
unsightly, they are also
a safety hazard for
all gardeners, especially
children at play and
individuals with impaired
movement and vision.
After each work session,
put away all your
tools and place plant
matter in a compost
bin or trashcan.
Make sure
that garden
storage is
close by and accessible.
Purchase
or Create Adapted
Garden
Tools
You can find a number
of tools for sale that re
adapted for safety and
ease of use, such as:
- light-weight tools and hoses
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tools of varying heights and sizes
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tools with padded handles for a looser grip
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tools with Velcro straps to secure tools to the arm help distribute weight and steady tools in the hand
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kneeling pads with handles
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tools with bright-colored handles for those with impaired vision
You can also adapt regular tools -- try wrapping padding around a handle and securing with strong tape. Experiment with household items to see if they can replace traditional tools (e.g., use an ice cream scoop instead of a trowel).
Choose
Sensory
Plants
Plants with bright colors and strong fragrances
engage
all
gardeners,
and
especially
those
with
visual
impairments.
Avoid
plants
that
can
cause
skin
irritation,
that
have
thorns
or
briars,
and
those
known