This is the first in a series of posts about gardening with disabilities.
Obviously, every individual’s issues are different, so it is not possible to have a one-way-fits-all approach. But my plan is to talk about the plants that I have, and issues related to gardening with disabilities.
The focus will be on easy, low-cost, gardening. So these posts could appeal to anyone, but especially to those with health issues or limited time (and/or funds) to spend gardening.
The primary issues that now impact my ability to garden are my allergies and an autoimmune neuromuscular disease that severely limits what I can do physically. Therefore, I need things that are low pollen, low fragrance, and require as little maintenance as possible.
Also I don’t have much in the way of “spare funds”, so I need things that are free, or near-free. And cost me nothing, or near nothing, to maintain. In other words: there will be no expensive planting posts here.
I know a great deal more about gardening for food, than I do about gardening for decoration/enjoyment. My family always raised a large vegetable garden. Unfortunately, that entire area of the property now floods too often to raise a garden there. (Due to very extensive logging that was done upstream from us, causing a much larger amount of water run-off into the local creek. Grrr But that’s a rant for another day.)
These posts will be primarily about gardening for enjoyment – the little things that I have around my house that help make it feel like my home.
More coming soon!
Looking forward to the series. Great idea taking into consideration the difficulties of folks with chronic conditions and a tight budget.
And, rant away about the logging; it’s awful what folks can get away with — literally and figuratively in the logging business. Not all are irresponsible, but . . .
Hi Deb,
This is exciting and I look forward to reading your series!
I would have so many more flowers and herbs in containers if I had the money. You might could call the local Agricultural Extension office to see if they would donate some seeds and/or plants on behalf of your efforts to write this.
It’s so important that people have plants. I recently learned that our brains are wired to “be with plants.” The therapist I work with in Horticulture Therapy talks a lot about the memory and plants. You may do a little research about HT and Memory, as well as which plants are good for people’s senses. Apparently, there is a plant that’s good for (enhances or stimulates) each of our senses.
I have a list of them, and when I get back home, I’ll try to pass it on to you. I’m so excited about this blog post!
Big hugs, and have lots of fun, and well, I can’t wait!
Michelle.
Can’t wait to read these! I suck at plants.