I reckon by the time you are " elderly" you have worked out for yourself what tools you can use and which tools you can't!
A bit unfair as the problems with tools you have used all your life can come on quite quickly. Injury or illness can reduce capability literally overnight.
The expanding hoses are wonderful to use, but rubbish in quality. Have had two ( as I thought I had damaged the first only to fine the second which I looked after better popped quicker) both only lasted half a year not good.
Anything that doesn't have a long handle! I'm not able to bend at all so I need to do everything standing up.
Which just goes to show that there's no one-size-fits-all. What we need is a good range of sizes, weights, handle designs etc to suit people of all sizes and abilities (and budgets - we shouldn't have to spend a fortune to get tools that "fit"), not just the elderly (who also come in different sizes).
One of my personal annoyances is that the cheap gardening gloves are always too long and wide in the fingers and any that fit properly cost silly money and wear out just as fast as the cheap ones.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
There was a feature on The Beechgrove Garden programme recently where the presenter was demonstrating tools designed for the elderly or less-able gardener. Sorry I don’t know exactly when it was broadcast because I watched it on catchup, but worth a look?
There are quite a few adapted tools on the market, so it’s worth getting hold of some to test on some handy guinea pigs, talking to users about how useful they really are and how you might improve them. Sometimes the best ‘inventions’ are simply tweaks to existing tools that make a world of difference.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
I hand found the last few years that ‘lawn edging shears’ give me back and neck ache. I love a tidy lawn edge but sometimes it’s easier to get down on my knees and edge it with garden scissors (kitchen discount store scissors) . However, I can see that becoming a problem in the years ahead . What do other folks use for lawn edging?
I hand found the last few years that ‘lawn edging shears’ give me back and neck ache. I love a tidy lawn edge but sometimes it’s easier to get down on my knees and edge it with garden scissors (kitchen discount store scissors) . However, I can see that becoming a problem in the years ahead . What do other folks use for lawn edging?
I dont think its just about being elderly. I'm only 56 and I have rheumatoid and early onset poly arthritis plus fibromyalgia. So... Weight is a big problem, ease of use plus no fiddly bits.
I hand found the last few years that ‘lawn edging shears’ give me back and neck ache. I love a tidy lawn edge but sometimes it’s easier to get down on my knees and edge it with garden scissors (kitchen discount store scissors) . However, I can see that becoming a problem in the years ahead . What do other folks use for lawn edging?
I also use Pound Shop scissors,veg knives and a bread knife (for dividing plants).Also a selection of old cutlery for potting up small items.All so cheap that once they become blunt or break (or lost!) they are cheap to replace. One thing I have found on my secateurs is that sometimes the slide lock does not stay open but slides back to lock again,very frustrating.There must be a way of ensuring that the lock remains open when using?
“Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
I'm in my 30s and don't suffer any illnesses, but I share many of the problems mentioned above: especially the lock on secateurs and the safety feature on electric tools. It's hard to work a trimmer for any length of time when you have to keep both hands clenched. That said, I feel better knowing that there is a safety feature.
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There are quite a few adapted tools on the market, so it’s worth getting hold of some to test on some handy guinea pigs, talking to users about how useful they really are and how you might improve them. Sometimes the best ‘inventions’ are simply tweaks to existing tools that make a world of difference.
They're brilliant, and you can turn the blades 180 degrees so that they'll cut vertically or horizontally.
They're also great for clipping little bits of hedge, shearing lavender etc.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
One thing I have found on my secateurs is that sometimes the slide lock does not stay open but slides back to lock again,very frustrating.There must be a way of ensuring that the lock remains open when using?
- I’ve ordered them 😄