Gardening is an enjoyable pastime loved by many, but it can be hazardous for people with mobility issues. It doesn’t have to be this way, though. With the right adaptations, you can continue working in your garden safely.
In this blog, we look at the basics of creating an accessible outdoor space with tips from a famous name in the gardening world.
Hard standing
A flat, even surface is essential for safely getting around your garden. Unstable surfaces like gravel increase the risk of you losing your footing.
You can safely navigate the space by creating a pathway that allows you to access every area of your garden. Mark Lane, Gardeners’ World presenter and advocate for accessible garden design, has this advice:
- Ensure your pathway is wide enough to fit two people side-by-side and there is space for you to turn around.
- The ideal pathway is between one and a half and two metres wide.
- If you’re using paving slabs, ensure they’re anti-slip and anti-glare for partially sighted people.
- Your pathway should have gentle, sweeping curves.
You can find more tips on designing a wheelchair-accessible garden on the Thrive website.
Raised beds
If you have difficulty bending and stretching, consider raising the height of your plants and flowerbeds. Raising your beds by just 10cm can improve access, but here’s a cautionary word from Mark Lane:
“If you cannot twist your body and need, or would prefer, to sit down when gardening, then a raised bed with flat sides isn’t advisable.
Instead, go for a raised table […] so that you can get your knees underneath and work at a comfortable height without having to twist or turn.”
Investing in a slip-resistant mat for your table will stop things rolling off the end.
Lighting
Access to your garden during winter is just as important as the summer. Consider adding stake lights along the side of your pathway or string lighting over your patio so you can use the space safely after dusk.
Festoon lights are cost-effective and will add a touch of glamour to your garden.
Looking after your lawn
Investing in a stabilisation grid is a great idea if you love the idea of a lawn, but maintaining it puts you off. You may have seen these grids used to lay gravel, but you can also plant grass seeds in the spaces between the grids.
It provides a firmer ground for wheelchair users and makes looking after your lawn easier. Stick to a straight edge and use lawn edging that you can run over with the mower to make it easier to cut the grass.
The final word on designing an accessible garden
Gardening should be an activity everyone can do. With some adaptations, you can continue enjoying your favourite pastime safely.
A flat, even pathway made from a firm substrate is essential for those with mobility issues. Avoid loose gravel and stick to anti-slip paving slabs. Ensure your garden is well-lit to get around safely after dark.
If you can’t bend down to reach your flower beds, consider a raised bed or a planting table, and for those who love their lawn but struggle to maintain it, a stabilisation grid might be exactly what you need.
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