Gardening with Ataxia

Because Ataxia is progressive, I find that I frequently need to adjust my gardening routine but gardening always makes me feel good and I'm constantly using different muscles and balance so I wouldn't dream of giving this up. I'm pretty sure there are a bunch of things I do that will be helpful workarounds for anyone with mobility difficulties (and I’d love to hear yours).

For me, balance and strength are my main issues (lack of). I have just ordered a new gardening fork that has a foot rest that I'm hoping I can use, with the help of something for balance (I usually use my garden waste wheelie bin).

This year I ordered this wooden planter (I haven’t finished filling it). I made it 2’ high so I wouldn't need to bend down, and added this lip all around, so I can sit on it. It gets really sunny here June-Sept perfect for  planting sun loving veggies.

Not having to bend down makes gardening a lot easier (and safer). Last year I had lots of things growing in tubs but this is so much better. I’ll use the spacemore and grow more things as a result.

I find I am able to use my walker a lot to carry things. This walker I have bought is brilliant for that, mostly because the flat seat means I can prop things on it. I've even balanced planks on the frame (here it is, it’s an Elkener).

.I've just started using my walker to harden my seedlings off because it was getting a bit much taking them into my shed every night. This way I can just load up my walker and wheel everything into my garage at night. I hang onto whatever is available to help me balance, and our hog wire fence is great for that.

When it comes to turning my compost pile, (which is normally hard physical work) I sit on the edge and put the compost into three containers by hand so I can use gravity (and my hands) to rotate the contents. I put cardboard on top, to reduce waterlogging, plus the rain can loosen unneeded tape before I add it to my compost.

My shed is raised to allow for air ventilation, so I had 3’ steps built leading up to the door which makes it really manageable. The shed is 6’ x 8’ (whith the door on the 6’ side). At the time,mI thought it was all the size I needed but actually, it means I always have a surface to hold on to.