Gardening Part II: Strategies for Life, Living Well with Vision Loss
Mary Beth Caruso, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
June 1, 2009
Last month’s column offered considerations to help determine the scope of a gardening project. Once the type of garden desired has been decided, preparation includes paying attention to the details in order to be:
Prepared
Gather together the supplies needed for the project before the plants. Map the layout of plants on the computer, dark pen on paper, textures on cardboard or magnets on a cookie sheet to help determine the amount of plants needed and their placement. Space and plantings will determine what will be needed for walkways and boundaries. Strips of plastic tarps can be used to keep down weeds between plant beds or to poke holes for planting seeds in a row- either way they can help keep straight paths. Stringing rope from one end to another will also help with straight lines (if desired). Alternatives include using cans of mixed seeds that get shaken over a space in any fashion, sheets with seeds embedded that get laid down on the ground and watered, planting in biodegradable egg crates that can be pushed into the earth or stringing soda six pack rings together, fastening to the ground and planting within each ring.
Safe
Sunglasses, a visor or hat and a portable beach umbrella may prove helpful with glare. (Sunscreen goes without saying!). Use safety glasses and gloves when working with liquid food/fertilizer and attach a measuring cup for only this use. Label the hose nozzle if it has two controls (i.e. spray vs. column). Carry a cell phone when in the yard.
Efficient
Easy access to materials saves time and aggravation. Moving materials can be accomplished with a rolling shopping cart with seat or a box with board to sit on. Hooks can be attached to hold trash bags and Velcro strips can be used to attach tools. Sharp tools can be placed point down in coffee containers or buckets/bins typically used for cleaning supplies. A cobbler’s apron with Velcro to close the pockets is another way to hold on to materials (i.e. flashlight to get a better look under plants). Having a box or tray with sides (like used in the kitchen or craft projects) helps keep items at hand that can be moved to the back when done.
Organized
Labels in braille, large print or pictures (i.e. Seed packets) can be laminated and placed on colored stakes for better contrast. A large chart or calendar to mark off when fertilizing has been done can also be a place to keep information on what was planted, success of growth and even pictures of the “harvest” to help plan next year.
Gardening is always a hot topic this time of year, but perhaps even more so with the planting of a garden at the White House. Books and magazines with articles on gardening are available in large print, braille and on tape or CD from the Library of Congress. The Perkins website (www.Perkins.org) has an Information Clearinghouse section on Gardening. Preparation can help make gardening more enjoyable for everyone, no matter what one’s experience or one’s ability to see. Get out and “play in the dirt!”
Perkins Outreach Services for Ages 55 and Older, Outreach@Perkins.org, 617-972-7643.
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