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News Releases
Gardening with Arthritis:
Getting Off the Ground
Gardening can be a great way for people with arthritis to maintain flexibility and range of motion. But if arthritis pain is getting in the way of growing those vibrant flowers or fresh fruits and vegetables, take a few steps this fall to make it easier and less painful to tend your garden next year.
"For the gardener with arthritis, finding the right tool or best tool is critical," says Karen Funkenbusch, M.A., director of the Missouri AgrAbility Project at the University of Missouri-Columbia and research associate at the Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center. "You need to know, understand, and appreciate what your body can and cannot do. Ergonomic, enabling, and adapted tools allow you to continue gardening when barriers hinder your desire."
An easy way to minimize the pain and strain of gardening is to just get off the ground. "For individuals with arthritis, the important thing to remember when selecting gardening tools are your physical capabilities," says Funkenbusch. "Equipment, such as stools, help gardeners with arthritis get closer to the ground while exerting little pressure on hips and knees." Funkenbusch suggests several ways of gardening that are easier on the joints:
Raised Bed. A raised bed for flowers or vegetables can eliminate bending over or kneeling and is easily accessible no matter how your joints are feeling. Raised ground beds are 8-10 inches deep and are great for deep-rooted plants. Deep raised beds are built to a height and width to allow for easy access and can be constructed with an edge wide enough for a person to garden from a seated position. Two other raised bed options are table-top planters or retaining walls.
Container Gardening. This type of gardening is ideal for the gardener who doesn't get around easily or likes to sit while gardening. Because you are planting in containers, your garden has mobility so garden where you feel most comfortable. Examples of containers could include clay pots, hanging baskets or even window boxes.
Trellis Gardening. Vertical gardens are an excellent option for those gardeners lacking space. A trellis is a great place to grow climbing plants, such as ivy, as well as flowers and vegetables. A trellis can be adapted to different heights and angles depending upon the needs of the gardener.
"For persons with arthritis, gardening can be a great physical activity and stress reducer when done correctly," says Funkenbusch. "Gardening is the type of physical activity that provides opportunities for all three types of exercise - flexibility (stretching, range-of-motion), strengthening (resistance), and cardiovascular (aerobic) - which persons with arthritis need. Gardening can help you maintain joint flexibility, range of motion, and quality of life."
With a few simple modifications and a little creativity, anyone can garden! Remember to take it easy and listen to your body. There'll be plenty of time to smell the roses. For more information on the Missouri AgrAbility Project visit http://agrability.missouri.edu or Gardens for Every Body.
As part of the MU Health Communication Research Center (HCRC), MARRTC's mission is to become a national leader in the areas of disability management and communication, improve the quality of life and promote independent living among people who have arthritis and arthritic conditions. MARRTC's core message is "Disability is everyone's issue."
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