Gardening Right with Arthritis

Most of you know arthritis makes it painfully difficult to do the things we once enjoyed. Luckily, with the right preparation and know-how, you don't have to give up on your hobbies. If gardening is one such activity, there are a few tips and tricks that can make it easier on you, and hopefully more enjoyable.

Before diving in, we should remember why it is important to indulge in hobbies in the first place. Activities like gardening can boost both our physical and psychological health. Giving up on them because of arthritis, only perpetuates the mentality that it is impossible to do almost any physical activity because of your condition.

Getting Started

It obviously makes the most sense to garden during the cooler parts of the day, now that summer is in full swing. Plan ahead, choose early morning or evenings for your gardening endeavors. It is also smart to warm up your joints with a quick walk around the block. This will help to prevent any injuries by loosening joints and muscles for the activity ahead.

Plan Smart

Arrange your garden so that you will be able to maintain it with minimal effort. Ensure you have a water source and gardening tools (in a shed or box) nearby to minimize the amount of lifting and carrying you have to do.

Choose low-maintenance plants with larger seeds, which are easier to handle and plant, verses ones with extremely small seeds. Choose flora that continues blooming yearly, rather than ones that require replanting every year. Lastly, keep in mind that some plants require far more frequent watering than others.

Choose the Right Tools

As any experienced handyman will tell you, the right tools can make all the difference. This is especially true in regards to arthritis.

• Opt for lighter, easier-to-handle tools.
• Use a dolly, or similar hand truck, to transport heavy bags of soil and fertilizer.
• A hose caddy can make unrolling and tidying up, a breeze.
• A carpenter, or garden-specific apron with pockets will enable you to keep your most commonly used tools right at hand.

Do you have arthritis and still garden? What steps do you take to minimize pain in and around the garden?