Accessible Flower Beds

[DMR1105]

I was wondering if anyone has plans for, seen or uses a flowerbed that you can roll under. I've seen lots of ideas for beds you can get beside of but I'd like to be able to roll under so I'd be able to use both arms and hands. I guess this idea could be something of an issue because of the weight of materials and dirt and you being right underneath it, I don't know???
Any ideas/thoughts are appreciated! Thanks!

[Foolish Old]

Shouldn't be a big deal. The biggest challenge is keeping it high enough to roll under, but low enough to work comfortably from a sitting position.

The weight isn't really that big an issue. Many flowers can be grown successfully in relatively shallow soil. Of course, the bigger and heavier the container, the stronger a structure you need to keep it in the air.

The possibilities are only limited by your space, budget and imagination. One cheap and easy way would be to get a stout old dining or kitchen table at a yard sale and place flower pots on top. There are probably commercial products that fill the bill, and you can have anything in the world built.

Maybe give us an idea of what you would desire.

[Van Quad]

In Vancouver I've seen tabletop gardens. They are not very deep but you can roll right under them. This article is the only example I could find:

http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/03/how-to-build-a-square-foot-garden/

[Crashbang]

There are a few books specifically about gardening from a w/c,
try to find titles and request from your public library.
The Square Foot Gardening book/site http://www.squarefootgardening.com/
features some elevated beds like those you describe and there are plans & info on the web at several sites, for example:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/617936/

Good luck, and have fun with your garden.

[Van Quad]

Here is an interesting design:

http://www.squarefootgardening.com/old/ammobox_gif.gif

found it here (http://www.squarefootgardening.com/old/guest_column_plowshares.html)

[Eileen]

I sort of have that by default because I bought metal retangular baskets that came with hooks to attach to my balcony railings. They are lined with the absorpbant organic material that needs to be replaced every couple of years because it rots out, but the metal holders should last as long as me.

[SCI-Nurse]

I was just recently discussing this with some people working at another rehab center, and sent them pictures of the ones we have in our horticultural therapy program (below) but also the following links for both commercial and do-it-yourself.

http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.5300837/k.7D2E/Gardening_from_a_Wheelchair.htm (http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.5300837/k.7D2E/Gardening_from_a_Wheelchair.htm)
http://www.chesavage.com/planterbox/ (http://www.chesavage.com/planterbox/)

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_N_garden12.476870e.html (http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_N_garden12.476870e.html)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2009/06/lazysusan-garden-universal-design-wheelchair-bound-gardener.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2009/06/lazysusan-garden-universal-design-wheelchair-bound-gardener.html)

http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/top-tips-for-disabled-gardeners.aspx (http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/top-tips-for-disabled-gardeners.aspx)

http://www.enasco.com/product/Z19765C (http://www.enasco.com/product/Z19765C)

http://www.terraform.fr/index.php?en (http://www.terraform.fr/index.php?en)

http://www.terraform.fr/index.php?en (http://www.terraform.fr/index.php?en)

http://eartheasy.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=3636 (http://eartheasy.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=3636)

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/accessible/msg111724001907.html (http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/accessible/msg111724001907.html)

http://www.gardeners.com/Tomato-Success-Trolley/VegetableGardening_TerrificTomatoes,36-484,default,cp.html (http://www.gardeners.com/Tomato-Success-Trolley/VegetableGardening_TerrificTomatoes,36-484,default,cp.html)

http://www.gardeners.com/Stand-Up-Garden/PotsPlanters_SelfWateringPlanters,38-554,default,cp.html (http://www.gardeners.com/Stand-Up-Garden/PotsPlanters_SelfWateringPlanters,38-554,default,cp.html)

Raised beds can work if you can lean over also. I recently installed raised beds in my yard that are 4'X8' and 28" high. You can see pictures of them here (they are recycled plastic that looks like wood):

http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showpost.php?p=1149156&postcount=244

These were built for our SCI Center by some local Boy Scouts:

[DMR1105]

Thanks a Bunch, some great advice. My husband is planning away! I will post pics when it's done.

[Liz321]

There's a guy out in Suffolk long island makes these very cool pots for gardening via a chair.

I'll need to find the ad. It was in Able newspaper if you want to google. i'll look later as i want one or two myself.

[med100]

DMR, having an accessible garden is such a cool idea. My friend and I built a raised and partially accessible raised garden bed with a pond but not all of it is accessible. If you would like more information on it, please PM me.

[DMR1105]

It's done! My crafty husband built this flower bed for me. I helped paint it and now it's full of flowers and herbs--such fun for me!

[Eileen]

That is great! Does your hubby rent out for odd jobs elsewhere? :)

[ergvepeog]

Fantastic! A great idea... I like that it's long and narrow... really doesn't take up alot of space.

[Garyis]

DMR, nice garden. I have a similar one for growing greens.

It has a wire mesh screen underneath to keep soil from falling on the deck and to keep air circulating.
Here are a couple of photos.

Gary

[DMR1105]

Thanks Gary, yours looks great as well!

[Foolish Old]

:thumbsup::applaud::first:

[ChesBay]

Great job DMR! :thumb:

[amarillogal]

nice flowerbeds!!

[DMR1105]

Thanks everyone!

[Lizbv]

thanks for posting your photos. I love this topic!
one question- when you water, do u do it from the side? not with legs under the boxes? as would think your legs would get wet. maybe you use a hose and not watering can?

[darkeyed_daisy]

Wow amazing what great minds can do!

I love your flower beds all of them!

[Van Quad]

Great designs. Love the one by DMR1105

Hopefully, here is a photograph of the design that DIGA (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Disabled-Independent-Gardeners-Association-DIGA/205665986146559#!/pages/Disabled-Independent-Gardeners-Association-DIGA/205665986146559)uses.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269572_205677096145448_205665986146559_634259_5116 _n.jpg

[DMR1105]

Liz--I water mostly with a hose but sometimes I water when I'm under it too--if I'm hot and need to cool off a bit, haha