Gardening for Old Folks (Adaptative)

[lillithlix]

I'm not an old folk, but can I squeeze myself in here?
I've a physical disability which has me feeling like, and hobbling around like, a little old lady, so I'm taking notes on how to make gardening less physically strenuous.

 

[chickadoodles]

I'm not an old folk, but can I squeeze myself in here?
I've a physical disability which has me feeling like, and hobbling around like, a little old lady, so I'm taking notes on how to make gardening less physically strenuous.

Hello and welcome. You don't have to be an old folk.

 

[sharron]

I'm not an old folk, but can I squeeze myself in here?
I've a physical disability which has me feeling like, and hobbling around like, a little old lady, so I'm taking notes on how to make gardening less physically strenuous.

hello and welcome, you're gonna like the people here, they're so nice and know alot.

 

[lillithlix]

Thanks for the warm welcome

 

[lazy gardener]

Welcome. Folks from "Down Under" make a great counter point to us folks who live in "Winter Wonderland." I have to live vicariously during snow months.

 

[rjohns39]

Thanks LG! That is exactly what I was afraid of. My canner says it will fit 10 regular pint jars. I put 9 in it yesterday, and worried about the outside ring of 8 jars. They weren't touching, but were so close it was a bit nerve racking. I think today I will only put 8 in. I used ball pints, and they are kinda squared off. I think I have some kerr pints. I'll try those and see if there is any difference.

I have to say pressure canning is a bit nerve racking. I keep reading the instructions over & over to make sure I don't mess up.

Different jars will change the number that fit properly. But you're on the right track, put them in like you would a water bath canner. Big difference is you only need a few inches of water in the canner as you're going to be leveraging steam, not water for heat. And I always add a little white vinegar to the water which helps keep the jars cleaner.

just a couple of key points: make sure you let the steam vent for 10 minutes after the column starts, adjust your fire/heat after you're up to pressure, and let the pressure cooker cool to zero pressure before taking off the weight and opening up. Lastly, stick to reliable tested recipes, until you're much more comfortable with the canner. I can give you some sources if you like...

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm not an old folk, but can I squeeze myself in here?
I've a physical disability which has me feeling like, and hobbling around like, a little old lady, so I'm taking notes on how to make gardening less physically strenuous.

I'm not too old either but am pretty crippled too. I definitely recommend raised beds or containers.

My set up allows me to easily weed, plant and harvest. I particularly enjoy my cucumbers dangling above my head for easy picking. You can find a few pictures of mine on the first few pages of this thread.

 

[lillithlix]

Welcome. Folks from "Down Under" make a great counter point to us folks who live in "Winter Wonderland." I have to live vicariously during snow months.

You're more than welcome to live vicariously through me.

I'm not too old either but am pretty crippled too. I definitely recommend raised beds or containers.

With the help of my husband I built a wicking bed a couple of weeks ago which is making an awesome raised planter. I've put it in the corner of my greenhouse and planted some broccoli seedlings in it yesterday.

Its the middle of winter here but I'm in an area where a few things grow year round. So the broccoli and cauliflower I planted in the greenhouse a little more than a month ago is looking kinda OK. Slow growing during these cold months.

I'm planning on using raised beds and vertical growing space everywhere I can.

I'm planning on a second greenhouse which will be filled with raised wicking beds and trellises. I'm looking into what can go into hanging baskets too.

 

[sharron]

You're more than welcome to live vicariously through me.



With the help of my husband I built a wicking bed a couple of weeks ago which is making an awesome raised planter. I've put it in the corner of my greenhouse and planted some broccoli seedlings in it yesterday.

Its the middle of winter here but I'm in an area where a few things grow year round. So the broccoli and cauliflower I planted in the greenhouse a little more than a month ago is looking kinda OK. Slow growing during these cold months.

I'm planning on using raised beds and vertical growing space everywhere I can.

I'm planning on a second greenhouse which will be filled with raised wicking beds and trellises. I'm looking into what can go into h anging baskets too.

hate to sound dumb but whats a wicking bed ? i also start alot of things in greenhouse that husband and father-in-law made years ago

 

[lillithlix]

A wicking bed is a soil bed held over a reservoir of water.

Mine is made of a blue plastic 50gal barrel, which has been cut in half. The half barrel has been half filled with empty glass bottles, beer bottles mostly. Over this I put some garden cloth, then a layer of chicken wire, then more garden cloth, draping up over the top of the barrels edge. Into this I put my potting soil. Down the side of the cloth containing the soil I have a small length of alcathene pipe to add water, and at the level of the bottom of the soil a couple of overflow/drainage holes were drilled through. I'll take a picture tomorrow.

The beer bottles are laid down and fill with water while helping hold the soil up above the water level. Lots of different things can be used.

The theory is that the plants will suck up as much water as they need from the reservoir below and require less frequent watering.