In another thread, I offered to send Becky,
@beckygardener , tips for getting up and down while working in the garden as she mentioned that was one of her concerns, in a t-mail because I didn't want to take the thread off topic.
Becky didn't take me up on that offer, but a few other people did send t-mails asking for tips ...
I decided to start a thread instead of writing an article so others could add their tips, too. Also, we could discuss other issues that have come up with gardening in older bodies ...
Besides, other people might have better ideas than I do ...
What works for me, may not work for you simply because it doesn't work with your garden design or for some other reason .. but here goes ..
First what didn't work ...
My sister bought me one of those scooter things because she thought I'd be more comfortable sitting down while I worked. She was right about that part, but, I couldn't reach the weeds while I was on the scooter. The scooter now lives in the workshop down in my garage.
Then I bought one of those kneeler / bench things. Ooops ! The getting down part is easy, but kneeling on that narrow kneeling pad did not agree with my knees for more than 10 minutes. When I went to get up, I had to raise my hands up to the level of my shoulders to grasp the handles and pull myself up. The klutz the lives inside of me took over and I was an accident about to happen. That thing now lives in the garden shed waiting to be re-purposed ..
My best solution, so far, was to purchase two bath mats at the dollar store that I could fold up any way I wanted for the padding I needed once I got down. I also purchased a small kitchen step stool and a small bucket. I keep my big 5 gal weed bucket behind me and empty the smaller bucket into that as needed.
Once I am down ... the easy part ... I just work away until my back starts giving me fits and then I put my stool in front of me and just lean over it for support and keep on working. I find that changing positions keeps me from stiffening up and this really does help my back.
When it's time to get up, I just use my hands to push on the stool to push me up onto my feet and I am UP. No strain on tired legs.
I find I can work longer and am much more relaxed and it's much easier to pace myself.
Oh, yes. Taking breaks does make a difference in my productivity, too. I never used to do that. I'd just power through a job. However, I've found that even with the breaks, I get more done if I go at a steady pace and don't try to push it.
OK ... now, it's your turn for your two cents ...
