Celebrate Earth Day with an Accessible Garden
Each year, Earth Day reminds us all of the difference we can make by working to protect, clean, and preserve our natural surroundings. As we are all spending more time at home, now is the perfect opportunity to start your own accessible garden.
What are Handicapped Accessible Gardens?
Accessible Gardens are raised garden beds that allow people in wheelchairs or walkers easy access to the soil for planting, watering and tending. It’s gardening made easier for everyone.
Built from sturdy materials, these gardens sit at table height, providing ample clearance for mobility equipment while putting the entire garden within arm’s reach. Portable and customizable, these gardening solutions can be easily positioned into countless arrangements to give your garden a unique look. There are even indoor/outdoor rolling garden options, so you can ensure your seedlings’ survival throughout the seasons.
What can be planted in Accessible Gardens?
Virtually all types of vegetables, flowers, herbs and some fruits, like strawberries, do well in accessible gardens. Many gardeners have also had great success growing peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, beans, peas, squash, basil, tomato, onions, beets, lettuce and virtually all green-leafed vegetables, as well as edible flowers, in their accessible garden. The sky’s the limit when it comes to what you choose to plant in your garden, so pick up some seeds and get planting.
Benefits of Gardening
Getting plenty of fresh air and sunshine is great for any person striving to live an active, healthy life. Gardening provides a relaxing opportunity to get outside and bring new life into the world, making for a surefire way to boost your mood. Aside from being a fun way to spend a sunny morning, growing your own produce helps you contribute to sustainability efforts and can even save you some green on your next grocery bill. It’s also an exercise in patience, and can help teach you how to keep your cool in situations outside the yard. Gardening has also been proven to be incredibly beneficial for people recovering from illness or depression.
Earth day is right around the corner (April 22) and as spring arrives it’s time to bloom into action. If you’ve been on the lookout for a new hobby to enjoy on your own or a great activity to share with loved ones, gardening might be the perfect way to spend your spring days!
The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is an advocate for mobility and accessibility for drivers with disabilities. If you need help with converting or buying a handicap accessible car, truck or van, please consider one of our mobility equipment dealers: https://nmeda.org/consumer-resources/dealer-locator/.