Gardening for Old Folks (Adaptative)

[lazy gardener]

I'm self-diagnosed as having arthritis in two fingers on my right hand. I've had carpal tunnel before, but this is different, and based on my history with my hands and fingers, I'm content declaring my poor fingers as arthritic.

Yesterday I used a heavy pair of scissors to cut a pattern in some cloth I used to wrap gifts. My fingers ached for hours. It's like having a migraine headache pulsing in my fingers.

And since the pain causes me to compensate, I'm at risk for back pain, so maybe some taller garden beds are in order. I loved the photos of tall beds and cattle panels stretched over pathways for creeping cucumbers.

The only problem is deer netting. The deer around here think it's some kind of magical gateway and jump right through the netting!!

Sore fingers: Have you considered a cutting wheel and mat? I'm not sure if I've got the term right. Some one will help me out. It looks like a pizza cutter, but you use it to cut fabric. I absolutely love mine. They also make scissors with spring assist, so you don't have to do the squeezing motion. And, I'm sure you keep your scissors sharp. Nothing more stressful on the hands than a dull pair of scissors, or any dull tool for that matter.

I'm wondering if some sort of hand splint will take the pressure off your finger joints to ease the pain. Do you get the pain only with activity, at night, or all the time?

Trellises and tall beds are where it's at for stress free gardening. Also, deep mulch eliminates almost 100% of the weeding. CP are totally indestructible, after you get them home!

I won't tell you about the time I had 2 panels on the back of the truck, and I did not secure them correctly. They flopped out of the truck and went rolling down the road like a giant tumble weed! I thank God that there was no traffic on that usually busy main thoroughfare to the city. And, I thank God that he sent some good Samaritans to help reload those panels. There is no way that I could have done it alone. But, I'll save that story for later!

Deer netting: Deer avoid an area that they might get tangled in. You might try putting some horizontal deterrents outside the netting. In all my years of gardening, I have never had deer bother my garden. And I have plenty of deer wandering through. (moose also) I wonder if they avoid my garden b/c of the deep mulch or BTE style.

Ergonomic tools: This is absolutely the best hoe I've seen. Came highly recommended by Beekissed. The beauty of this hoe is that it cuts weeds very well on both the push and pull action. All 3 angles of the head are very sharp. The small triangular head makes it possible to get into tight spaces. The first hoe I rec'd from this company was defective, but they quickly made it right for me.

When choosing any tool, I always opt for the long handle. IMO, the long handle provides better leverage and better control. The only time a short handle would be beneficial is if working in an area where the swing of the handle would end up destroying or catching up on an obstacle behind or to the side of the worker.

https://www.amazon.com/Rogue-Scuffl...TF8&qid=1513866529&sr=8-14&keywords=rogue+hoe

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Sore fingers: Have you considered a cutting wheel and mat? I'm not sure if I've got the term right. Some one will help me out. It looks like a pizza cutter, but you use it to cut fabric. I absolutely love mine. They also make scissors with spring assist, so you don't have to do the squeezing motion. And, I'm sure you keep your scissors sharp. Nothing more stressful on the hands than a dull pair of scissors, or any dull tool for that matter.

I'm wondering if some sort of hand splint will take the pressure off your finger joints to ease the pain. Do you get the pain only with activity, at night, or all the time?

Trellises and tall beds are where it's at for stress free gardening. Also, deep mulch eliminates almost 100% of the weeding. CP are totally indestructible, after you get them home!

I won't tell you about the time I had 2 panels on the back of the truck, and I did not secure them correctly. They flopped out of the truck and went rolling down the road like a giant tumble weed! I thank God that there was no traffic on that usually busy main thoroughfare to the city. And, I thank God that he sent some good Samaritans to help reload those panels. There is no way that I could have done it alone. But, I'll save that story for later!

Deer netting: Deer avoid an area that they might get tangled in. You might try putting some horizontal deterrents outside the netting. In all my years of gardening, I have never had deer bother my garden. And I have plenty of deer wandering through. (moose also) I wonder if they avoid my garden b/c of the deep mulch or BTE style.

Ergonomic tools: This is absolutely the best hoe I've seen. Came highly recommended by Beekissed. The beauty of this hoe is that it cuts weeds very well on both the push and pull action. All 3 angles of the head are very sharp. The small triangular head makes it possible to get into tight spaces. The first hoe I rec'd from this company was defective, but they quickly made it right for me.

When choosing any tool, I always opt for the long handle. IMO, the long handle provides better leverage and better control. The only time a short handle would be beneficial is if working in an area where the swing of the handle would end up destroying or catching up on an obstacle behind or to the side of the worker.

https://www.amazon.com/Rogue-Scuffl...TF8&qid=1513866529&sr=8-14&keywords=rogue+hoe

Wonderful suggestions, thank you!!

I've actually been woken up in the middle of the night with aching fingers. It's so aggravating how pain in fingers of all things can keep you up and cause you to lose sleep. Ugh.

I'm getting ready to do some sewing after decades of not touching a sewing machine. The scissors I used has a name, darn it, but I can't think of it just now. They cut little triangle edges? I trimmed up an old Christmas tablecloth to wrap a furry blanket as a gift. Those scissors are very old and heavy. I didn't know about spring scissors, and I do know the wheel thing you mentioned. Great idea!! It's used for quilts a lot, and that's what I intend to make.

I'm going to take a look at the link now. Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Wonderful suggestions, thank you!!

I've actually been woken up in the middle of the night with aching fingers. It's so aggravating how pain in fingers of all things can keep you up and cause you to lose sleep. Ugh.

I'm getting ready to do some sewing after decades of not touching a sewing machine. The scissors I used has a name, darn it, but I can't think of it just now. They cut little triangle edges? I trimmed up an old Christmas tablecloth to wrap a furry blanket as a gift. Those scissors are very old and heavy. I didn't know about spring scissors, and I do know the wheel thing you mentioned. Great idea!! It's used for quilts a lot, and that's what I intend to make.

I'm going to take a look at the link now. Thank you!

If things like ibuprofen don't take the edge off the pain I would get yourself looked at to rule out more serious problems. I know what it's like to not be able to sleep through the pain. I have needed to have multiple joints replaced at a young age, and my hands are a wreck between arthritis and neuropathy.

You don't want to find out you have something like rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease, which requires treatment to keep it from advancing too far. Odds are it's just regular old arthritis, but I would get checked, just to know for sure.

I spent too many years in debilitating pain trying to get answers and help.

 

[lazy gardener]

Pinking shears, and rotary cutter!!! Agreed, it might be a good idea to seek a definitive diagnosis. I have a trigger finger that bothers me most at night, and also have numbness/tingling in hands, as well as multiple joint issues. Ah, the joys of getting old.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Pinking shears, and rotary cutter!!! Agreed, it might be a good idea to seek a definitive diagnosis. I have a trigger finger that bothers me most at night, and also have numbness/tingling in hands, as well as multiple joint issues. Ah, the joys of getting old.

Now I'm picturing you as an aging gunslinger, with a bad trigger finger. , howdy.

 

[lazy gardener]

I do have a bad trigger finger. I can't hit nothing, even with a shot gun.

 

[N F C]

Now I'm picturing you as an aging gunslinger, with a bad trigger finger. , howdy.

Just don't make her mad OHLD...just don't make her mad.

 

[chickmom3941]

Sore fingers: Have you considered a cutting wheel and mat? I'm not sure if I've got the term right. Some one will help me out. It looks like a pizza cutter, but you use it to cut fabric. I absolutely love mine. They also make scissors with spring assist, so you don't have to do the squeezing motion. And, I'm sure you keep your scissors sharp. Nothing more stressful on the hands than a dull pair of scissors, or any dull tool for that matter.

I'm wondering if some sort of hand splint will take the pressure off your finger joints to ease the pain. Do you get the pain only with activity, at night, or all the time?

Trellises and tall beds are where it's at for stress free gardening. Also, deep mulch eliminates almost 100% of the weeding. CP are totally indestructible, after you get them home!

I won't tell you about the time I had 2 panels on the back of the truck, and I did not secure them correctly. They flopped out of the truck and went rolling down the road like a giant tumble weed! I thank God that there was no traffic on that usually busy main thoroughfare to the city. And, I thank God that he sent some good Samaritans to help reload those panels. There is no way that I could have done it alone. But, I'll save that story for later!

Deer netting: Deer avoid an area that they might get tangled in. You might try putting some horizontal deterrents outside the netting. In all my years of gardening, I have never had deer bother my garden. And I have plenty of deer wandering through. (moose also) I wonder if they avoid my garden b/c of the deep mulch or BTE style.

Ergonomic tools: This is absolutely the best hoe I've seen. Came highly recommended by Beekissed. The beauty of this hoe is that it cuts weeds very well on both the push and pull action. All 3 angles of the head are very sharp. The small triangular head makes it possible to get into tight spaces. The first hoe I rec'd from this company was defective, but they quickly made it right for me.

When choosing any tool, I always opt for the long handle. IMO, the long handle provides better leverage and better control. The only time a short handle would be beneficial is if working in an area where the swing of the handle would end up destroying or catching up on an obstacle behind or to the side of the worker.

https://www.amazon.com/Rogue-Scuffl...TF8&qid=1513866529&sr=8-14&keywords=rogue+hoe

"CP are totally indestructible, after you get them home!" - What's CP?

Thanks for all the gardening suggestions. Those of us (all of us?) with aches and pains can use all the help we can get!

 

[R2elk]

"CP are totally indestructible, after you get them home!" - What's CP?

I believe she is referring to cattle panels.

 

[chickmom3941]

I believe she is referring to cattle panels.

Ah, I see. Thank you!