Cultivating Health and Wellbeing Accessibility in Your Garden

By Nettie Hardy

Creating a garden is not just about growing beautiful flowers and luscious vegetables; it’s also an opportunity to foster your mind and body. Gardening and exposure to greenspaces has been proven to not only improve physical health, but mental health as well. Growing plants keeps bodies nimble, builds strength, increases serotonin production, decreases blood pressure, and improves balance, among a variety of other benefits regardless of age, background, or ability.

Making a garden accessible is not just a physical consideration; it’s a cornerstone in cultivating an environment that embraces healing and wellbeing. Below are some considerations and practical tricks for making your garden a therapeutic and inclusive space where the joy of gardening can truly thrive.

Designing pathways

One of the fundamental aspects of an accessible garden is the layout of pathways. Smooth, level surfaces make it easier for individuals with mobility challenges or those using wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers to navigate comfortably.

Consider using materials like compacted gravel or paving stones for stability. Ensure that pathways are wide enough for easy passage depending on the user’s needs, allowing for a comfortable and safe experience. Installing sufficient drainage helps to prevent slippery surfaces and debris buildup, ensuring walkways stay safe and usable. Paved concrete pathways are also an option.

Raised beds and containers for easy reach

Traditional garden beds can pose challenges for individuals with limited mobility.

Raised beds offer a practical solution, bringing plants to a height that is easily reachable without bending or kneeling. These beds can be customized to different heights and widths accommodating various needs. It is often found that beds twelve inches or taller are the most accessible. Building beds with a lip or small ledge provides a space for sitting while working. A variety of raised bed kits are available on the market and can be customized for your needs and style preferences.

Some examples of raised beds can be seen at Huntsville Botanical Garden (HBG) in the Wicks Family Garden, Tweetsville, Demonstration Vegetable Garden, and Herb Garden. It is important to make sure access and width are taken into consideration for reach while maintaining your space. Typically, you want your beds to be no more than four feet wide and to have access from all sides.

Additionally, raised beds provide better drainage, warmer soil, and can be designed to prevent unwanted pests, creating an optimal environment for plant growth. Containers and hanging baskets are also components to consider that allow relocation and ease of access while enhancing the aesthetic and sensory experience.

Plant selection and layout

Choose plants that are not only visually appealing but also offer tactile experiences. It’s important to engage all of the senses in the garden. Integrate elements into your design such as aromatic herbs like fennel and thyme, textured plants like Stachys bizantia with its soft touch or the cool smooth feel of succulents like Delospermum, and lastly colorful flowers like Phlox or Gaura.

Native perennial grasses such as Soghastrum nutans or Muhlenbergia capillaris blow in the wind which is visually engaging and encourages bird activity, creating visual interest as well as auditory stimulation while extending seasonal interest. For those with visual impairments, consider planting fragrant herbs like rosemary or mint near pathways to provide olfactory cues for navigation around garden beds and paths. Incorporating high contrasting colors also allows for distinguishing designs. Selecting plants that attract pollinators can add an extra layer of visual interest and interaction.

Generally speaking, low maintenance selections are often perennial plant material. Choose natives that require minimal watering, pruning, or feeding such as Ratibida pinnata and Liatris scariosa, which will reduce strenuous and ongoing maintenance.

Strategically arrange plants to accommodate different heights and reach capabilities. Ensure that low-lying plants are easily reachable and taller plants do not obstruct pathways or overshadow smaller ones.

These strategies enrich the overall garden experience and facilitate therapeutic interaction. Some non-plant additions may include windchimes or incorporating a bubbling water fountain to act as support for meditation or sensory engagement. Be sure to keep safety in mind when selecting any water-related additions to your space.

Tools, utensils, and places to rest

When selecting tools, be sure to choose ergonomically designed utensils that are lightweight and easy to grip, with extended handles or those designed for one-handed use. These make gardening tasks more manageable. Adaptable tools cater to diverse needs and accommodate for those with varying levels of strength and dexterity. Be sure to make selections that are easy to stow and will not become tripping hazards on walkways.

Comfort is key for a positive experience while working in the garden which is why it is also important to include areas for rest and relaxation. Comfortable and convenient seating in strategic locations allows for enjoying the beauty of the garden at your own pace. These rest areas can serve as places of respite, meditation, or simply to soak in the therapeutic benefits of nature. Ensure that the seating is secure and easily reachable, preferably in shade to provide relief from the heat while working.

Accessibility is key

Designing a home garden with accessibility in mind is a transformative journey that goes beyond aesthetics and becomes a canvas for promoting connection and inclusivity. By implementing thoughtful design elements, considering diverse sensory experiences, and embracing adaptive tools, you can create a space that nurtures both plants and people. As we tend to our gardens let us cultivate spaces where the benefits of horticulture can be experienced by everyone.