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Choosing gifts for less-able gardeners can be tough – here is a selection of top tools and aids to help people keep their independence. (Trust me, I speak from experience).
I haven’t included anything really radical here – just tools and sundries based on my own experience as someone who suffers from repeated soft tissue injuries due to my joint hypermobility syndrome disorder (hypermobile Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome) and terrible balance. Reducing bending, stretching, repeated movements and cushioning falls is very important.
Soothing frayed nerves and encouraging a good night’s sleep is also a boon for anyone – here are my picks. Read more about gardening with back pain.
Gifts for less-able gardeners – RHS Ergo Deadheader by Burgon & Ball, £11.99
This ergonomic pruner offers extra grip, comfort and controllability which sits in the palm of your hand, ideal for those with limited hand and wrist strength and mobility.
Kitchen Garden Planters, from £118.49, Forest Garden
The planters come in either 1m or 1.8m lengths, and at 70cm high, they’re ideal for tending your crops without bending. Full details of planters.
Gifts for less-able gardeners – Sophie Conran Tool Range, from £34.99, Burgon & Ball
If you find most forks and spades are too big or heavy for you, try the Sophie Conran range. Recommended are the digging fork and digging spade (£42.99 each), a lopper (£37.99) and a hedge shear (£37.99).
The spade and fork have T-grip handles, which make it easy to use a double-handed grip for better purchase while digging. Both tools are slightly shorter than usual, which also keeps the weight to a minimum. The narrow profile of the spade head slides easily through the soil, and the tines of the fork are shorter than most, for reduced soil resistance.
The hedge shear and lopper feature drop-forged high-carbon steel blades and lightweight FSC® ash handles with ergonomic grips to minimise weight and provide a better grip.
Darlac Lightweight tools range, Telescopic Tree Lopper, £49.99, Dobbies
This range by Darlac is aimed at the elderly or less able gardeners, so they can enjoy gardening for longer. There’s an extensive choice, from shears to loppers and rakes to hoes.
The Snapper, with interchangeable heads, is popular for trimming out-of-reach branches, collecting fruit and deadheading at a distance without the need for a ladder. It is single-handedly operated. Check out the Darlac website for all tools and full stockists’ details.
Peta Easi-Grip Weeder, £14.95, Arthr
This stainless steel garden tool is one of the best gifts for less-able gardeners in my opinion. It allows more work and less effort for people suffering from arthritis or similar conditions. The angled handle keeps the hand and wrist in a natural angle, cutting the risk of strains and blisters caused by repetitive action.
The non-slip handle helps you keep a firm grip, and you won’t lose it in the soil, cuttings or shed, thanks to the bright yellow and green colour.
Gifts for less-able gardeners – Recoil Knee Pads, £65.95, Arthr
Kneeling can cause pain for people with joint problems, especially arthritis. The spring-loaded Recoil Knee Pads reduce pressure on the knees and increase comfort.
The six-spring suspension system absorbs the impact when the knee touches the ground. The pressure is spread more evenly across the whole joint rather than being focused on one point, further reducing pain.
Combisystem Fruit Collector, £39.99, Gardena
Collecting fruits and windfall without having to bend down is possible using the GARDENA combisystem Fruit Collector. Thanks to the flexible plastic struts, fruits from 4 to 9cm can be gathered.
It doesn’t matter whether you are harvesting walnuts or apples – simply roll over them with the Rolling Collector and the fruits will end up inside.
Gifts for less-able gardeners – Garden Kneeler and Seat, £24.99, Thompson & Morgan
A kneeler/seat like this has been a godsend for me. The high-quality steel frame’s thick layer of polypropylene foam protects you on both sides.
It folds down in seconds at the press of the spring mechanism for easy transport and storage, measuring just 12cm wide, weighing 2.7kg. There’s also a touch-fastening pouch that can be used in either position to store your gardening tools in.
Also, check out the Rude Botany T-shirts for a cheeky gift!
