SAVVY SENIOR
Ergonomic Gardening

Dear Savvy Senior,

I saw you on the Today show last month talking about gardening tips and tools for seniors who have arthritis and other physical limitations. Can you write a column on this topic and tell me where I can find some of the ergonomic products you demonstrated? They look ideal for my 77-year-old dad, who likes to tinker in the garden. Father's Day Shopper

Dear Shopper:

Gardening is one of America's favorite leisure outdoor activities, enjoyed by more than 28 million seniors. But for those who suffer from arthritis or other physical limitations, gardening can become difficult and frustrating. Here are some product ideas and tips that can help.

Handy Tools

If you have arthritis, limited strength or have trouble bending or stooping over, here are some products that can help take the strain out of gardening.

+ Ergonomic tools: There's a variety of ergonomic grip gardening tools, gloves, kneeling pads, garden stools, carts and other equipment that can help make your gardening chores a lot easier. Two good resources that offer many of these unique tools and equipment are www.gardeningwithease.com, 800-9665119, and www.handhelpers.com, 888632-7091.

+ Long-handled tools: You can reduce the bending and stooping that typically goes along with gardening by using long-handled or telescopic tools. See www.hound-dog.com or call 800694-6863 for a nice variety of sturdy "back saving" tools for both lawn and garden care.

+ Watering: Carrying water or handling a heavy, awkward hose can be difficult for any gardener. Some labor-saving watering products to consider are soaker or drip hoses that are snaked throughout the garden, coil hoses for the patio or small areas, a hose caddy and reel for easy transport, or a self-winding hose chest (see www.hydroindustries. com) that puts itself away automatically. There are also a variety of ergonomic watering wands that are lightweight, easy to grip and reach those hard to-get-to plants. Many of these watering items can be found in local stores that sell lawn and garden supplies, or see www.gardeners.com.

Accessible Gardening

If a bad back or limited mobility keeps you from getting into the garden, bring the garden to you. Here are some tips to consider:

+ Raised beds: You can buy or build raised garden beds at various heights to reduce or eliminate kneeling, stooping and bending. But be sure the beds are not much more than four feet wide, so you can reach into them easily from either side.

+ Trellises: This is another nice option that allows you to garden vertically instead of horizontally.

+ Container gardening: A variety of different sized containers (window boxes, deck railing planters, hanging baskets, oversized pots, deep boxes, barrels or tub planters and more) can provide a less strenuous way to grow vegetables or flowers. Container gardening also works great for small yards and patios. But keep in mind that container gardens need more watering than a standard garden, so be sure you have a handy

nearby watering source, or you may want to consider purchasing self-watering containers to help reduce your watering chores.

+ Where to buy: You can find containers, raised beds and trellises at various stores that sell lawn and garden supplies. They can also be purchased online at places like www.gardeners.com or 800-955-3370, and www.garden.org or 800-538-7476.

Other Tips

+ Easy does it: As with any type of exercise it's best to warm up your joints a little by stretching before you begin gardening. If you have arthritis, listen to your body. Garden only at times you feel the strongest, vary your tasks to avoid becoming stiff and sore and take frequent breaks.

+ Vision tip: If you have a difficult time finding your gardening tools once you set them down, paint them a bright, easy-to-see color.

+ More information: For a list of the gardening gadgets I demonstrated on the NBC Today show, visit www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12463994. For more tips and techniques for older gardeners visit gardenforever.com and fsb.missouri.edu/GardenWeb.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, Oklahoma 73070, or visit www.savvysenior. org. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of the book, The Savvy Senior.