Disability Pride in the Garden

Euclid Community Garden, which has elevated garden beds and in-ground plots.

Gardening is a wonderful hobby that reduces stress, invites creativity, and brings joy. One goal of our community garden program is to recognize and uplift garden access and opportunities for all.

July is Disability Pride Month, and I want to recognize how Santa Monica community gardeners with disabilities implement strategies and accommodations to make gardening more accessible. Below you will find tips that work for our community gardens, shared by our community gardeners, along with other ideas and suggestions I have compiled.

I hope these tips are informative, whether you are a gardener or someone creating an inclusive, accessible space. Enjoy your gardening this summer!

Adaptive Gardening Tips

• Plant in garden grow bags or containers elevated on a table or platform to reduce the need to bend over.

• Investigate extendable, long-handled, ergonomic, or adaptive gardening tools. (FISKARS has many options).

• Consider buying foam knee pads or a cushioned seat for gardening.

• Research implementing a soaker hose to reduce regular watering labor.

• Connect with garden communities online, or in person, to discuss strategies and techniques for adaptive gardening.

Mobility Tips

• One gardener shares that she practices low-impact exercises and stretching in the morning to prepare for the day’s activities, including gardening. She times these stretches with an old-fashioned percolator while brewing her morning coffee.

• Practicing weekly Tai chi also helps this gardeners’ stamina, balance, and reach.

• Remember, listen to your body, and adjust accordingly!

Garden Design Recommendations

• Implement higher raised beds to accommodate using a wheelchair or standing while gardening.

• Remember, raised beds for wheelchair users need to have an indent/space beneath for the wheelchair to get close enough for the gardener to reach into the bed.

• Include designated, flat walkways and keep them clear. Paths also need to be stable, slip-resistant, solid, and wide enough for two wheelchairs.

• Check out other resources like

www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/planting-and-maintenance/accessible-gardening-techniques and thedisabledgardener.com/adaptive-tools-methods-for-gardening for more information on accessible gardening.

By Isabel Filson

California Climate, Action Corps Fellow