Gardening in a wheelchair sucks for these reasons

[@bdctrans70]

When I knew I was going to be spending my years in a wheelchair, I talked to my husband about changing all of my gardening beds into raised beds and having solid ground to be able to be mobile on them. I started looking at different means to make raised beds. I have planters made of tires, old water troughs, old feed tubs, old wheelbarrows, old toolboxs, and anything cheap or for free. Just clean them up and paint them. My husband bought 10 metal 50-gallon drums which he split lengthwise, built bases for them and placed them on the firmer ground, spaced out a wheelchair width apart in rows for me in different areas of our yard. He put 8 in full sun areas, six on the north side of our house and the other six in partly sun areas, He put weed barrier cloth under them all so that it would be easier to mow and not worry too much about trimming tight areas. He also ran PVC piping to each section from our main water supply with three shut-off valves to direct the water to each section, at each section he had a spout from the PVC pipe with a hose attachment to the ends. I carry a soft collapsible hose and gardening tools in a little backpack to each section to weed and water each of my barrel halves. I do use an old welder's apron to cover my belly and legs. This one is wide enough to go over the sides and wheels of my chair to keep debris off. I would never go into our garden, the soil is so soft that I would sink up to my axles in the dry earth, let alone wet. I have left my garden to grow over after we removed enough soil to fill the barrels, and now my hubby is building a new workshop on it. I do have a small 20X20 garden left for my husband to grow his corn and tomatoes. I plant melons and squash in compost bags. I bought 7 bags of humus/manure compost, laid them in a sunny out-of-the-way spot, cut an X in the side of the bags and plant the seed. They grow wonderfully like this and they are easy to roll up and attend to. I have found being positive and looking for out of the norm planting ways so I can enjoy my garden!

[@JamesSmith-pm9gp]

WOW! That is impressive!

[@EmpoweredPara]

@@bdctrans70 This was amazingly helpful! It starts with the right attitude and you sure have it! Thanks for the motivation and very detailed description!

[@Liz-Biz]

Oh my gosh! I garden in my wheelchair and deal with all the same annoying stuff. Thanks for the fashion gardening ideas ❤

[@heatherscott2988]

Garden boxes that are narrow enough to reach right over helps for site! No wheels in the dirt at all. Love your finds Brittany! ❤

[@shirleyhodge3524]

I like the ideal of the raised garden around the patio.

[@TimSaundersC4]

Loved the video! Who knew gardening in a wheelchair could be such a wheel-y good time? 🏡

[@goingwiththegagnons5610]

Love that you matched your gloves to your glasses!

[@edl5731]

Just a thought. Maybe you should get another wheel chair. In much the same way take off my boots and switch to slippers when I come inside (instead of trying to clean the wheels) This could have the added benefit of having an indoor wheelchair that gives up some long distance ability for extra maneuverability (for example a used basketball wheelchair) . I realize there would be some cost to this but manual wheel chairs aren't super expensive. I have broken leg and use my crutches (or wheelchair) outside the house but my walker inside the house. One of the reasons for the division of usage is I don't have to worry about cleaning the tips of my crutches to avoid tracking mud and dirt in the house. The other is that the crutches are better outside. If I used my walker it would take me for ever to crutch to the store and near impossible to get up and down a step. However inside the house where distance are shorter the reductions of speed is not significant but the crutches are more difficult to deal with because I often need to use my hands and the crutches often fall down when I lean them against something they often fall and picking them back up is a real challenge, with the walker it stays put.

[@katpic9470]

Great tips thank you! 🌿🌿🌿🌼🌼

[@kathrinposim6265]

Thank you so much for this video 🙏. I am really struggling to wheel in my garden for the wheels sink in the soft ground 🙄. I remember some sort of wheel covers when I was looking for pushrim covers. They were of fabric and maybe they hold the dirt at least till it has dried and fallen of in this cover. Also there are wheel socks for bicycles to prevent your floor from getting dirty when you have to store them in your apartment. Maybe some will fit the wheelchair wheels 🤔.

[@richardjones5255]

I sympathize withe the seed planting trial, peripheral neuropathy can feel like wearing a pair of rubber gloves when ever I ty to use my fingers. Tiny seeds are one heck of a job to sort and my planting efforts resulted in some bizarre crowding out of the seed trays once things started to grow. My spring planting has still got to be fully resolved. I wonder if it ever will be. No wheelchair involved none of the other issues that you daily face, but my accessibility is degraded. The comment about things getting more challenging as you age that some one made is certainly correct I am on the cusp of 79 oh boy has it become more challenging in the past 6 months. Knowing that you face far greater problems and overcome them is a great comfort to many who view your channel, thank you for being so bright sharp, and just great to see.

[@FreddotheWheelchairGuy]

Well this was fun. You look like a 90's raver 😂

[@jhors7777]

Love you Brittney, thank you for posting this helpful video.

[@Leesion73]

AMEN sister, hardcore wheelchair gardener here, I SO get it, but I persist for the beauty. I'm sure you know the look of all that dirt in the bed after you lay down to change and get back up.

[@sfc-17]

Consider layering a second pair of gloves to protect the rubber ones. I have nothing for the tires. But do try backpack covers to cover your seat like a cushion cover, really great in wet weather. Try mulching to prevent weeds. And take a look at hydroponics if you have space may be cleaner and more accessible in general.

[@charles_wipman]

Idk anything about gardening, for me that's like cook, "black magic"; there must be some neoprene sleeves that could protect your forearms, gloves... i'm used to the typical Mechanix gloves, they're sturdy, comfortable and kinda brethable too, but one have to wash 'em a couple of times before use 'em or their dye ends in your hands at the begining with the sweat and all that, that's all what i can think about. That garden look great.

[@nealeburgess6756]

For the seed planting use disposable latex gloves. Sadly even though they are short, they still get sweaty. But they are close fitting, and make manual dexterity easy.

[@JamesSmith-pm9gp]

This all looks great Brit! Well, other than the weird sunglasses lol! In our attempts to make our side-yard and backyard and entertainment area more accessible and inclusive for a number of our friends who use a wheelchair as well as ourselves as we age, we’ve been considering adding a smooth surface around our growing beds. At present, we do most of our gardening in pots but we’ve been adding more planters, and we are slowly transitioning from flowers to veggies. And we do have a number of tomato plants in the ground in slightly raised beds. We realize that the caster wheels dictate that the hard surface must be even. So far, our friends are too polite to comment about wheeling on grass; Brittney, maybe you can be overtly honest and tell me if rolling on grass is difficult, and does the length of the grass make a difference?

[@johnvelas70]

One idea for the chair issue is to use an old one you have laying around that's not for everyday use. Get a pair or 2 of fallers gloves as a liner for the rubber gloves.

[@cpr58]

I will admit I had not even thought of gardening yet. I know I am going to need some wider wheels to go out in my yard.

[@user-fr9wg9ft3p]

Honestly, maybe a thin pair of long cotton gloves would work better? Shouldn't get too sweaty and would likely provide a better fit for the fingers. Will probably let some dirt through but not like digging with your bare hands.

[@greensteve9307]

I am watching this as a amateur landscaper, and Support Worker for a client in a wheelchair, hoping to pick up some ideas.

[@EmpoweredPara]

I'm no expert lol, but great that you're looking for wheelchair user's perspectives. Shows a lot about how much you care for your client!

[@goingwiththegagnons5610]

At the drug store they sell cotton gloves, I use those under my rubber gloves, I have eczema on my hands and this helps me not accumulate sweat and get irritated hands.

[@paulhaupt6798]

Necessity is the mother of invention. Well solved! For working on car engine I keep hands clean by using disposable nitrile (tuff gloves). Use multiple times before disposing. Can answer a smart phone and flip around the screen with these gloves on.

[@klar44]

Do you have or use a power chair.. I enjoy your posts... Larry

[@kardiamit]

and changing to other tires? before entering the house changing to clean tires? that's what I do, then I save time on washing the floors in the apartment :)

[@EmpoweredPara]

You're more talented than me lol.

[@ronaldhegner9558]

Hi I saw your problems cleaning your tires after gardening. Could your wonderful hubby build hydronic activated ramp That would lower your chair over two water troughs with soap and allow free rotatation of your tires . Then raise back up to roll off.

[@samanthatremellen7640]

Hi did you think of wheel covers?

[@Fiddlinfrenzy]

the sleeve covers from Temu might be better, they are breathable but not cover your hands

[@10milesfromnowhere]

Would "gloves in a bottle" work? (it's the name of the product). It's some kind of lotion that dries as a protective barrier, so any goop/gunk/(oil paint pigments and heavy metals in the paint - this is what I looked into it for) will wash off after.

[@EmpoweredPara]

Not sure about that because I would need the stuff off of my hands in order to cath

[@10milesfromnowhere]

@EmpoweredPara I assumed it came off again with some soap and water - why else call it glove - taking all the grimy stuff you don't want with it. Apparently not: it lasts for 4+ hours and bonds with your skin (which sounds awesome if you tend to react to some things...I too have issues with zucchini and pumpkin spikes) and it exfoliates off "naturally". Whatever that means. So, sorry, probably not a good fix then. Sweaty gloves it is. Hope your plants do well. Slug central here, I harvested 4 whole green beans.

[@Wheeled_Fighter]

You need a wheel cleaner to roll up onto that scrubs the dirt off your wheels. I’m thinking someone makes these. I’d love to have a pair, it would cut down on the sand I bring in.

[@outbacktraveller58]

I was thinking proper overalls, and then I realised putting them on and taking them off would be a proper pain in the arse!!!! P’raps get hubby to make you a “wheel through” wheel wash for your chair. I seriously have never even sat in a wheelchair (as best as I recall) but in my industry, wheel washes are common place and immensely effective. Just a thought. Also, your gloves might be very counterproductive due to the sweat……which would be a germination place for all sorts of nasties, methinks. I have to wear protective gloves a lot and basically replace them almost daily for that reason.

[@EmpoweredPara]

You have no idea how many designs my husband has for a wheel wash lol!

[@outbacktraveller58]

@@EmpoweredPara 😂😂😂😂😂 he sure as hell seems to be an industrious Chappy!!!! I suspect he’s pretty much devoted to you (and I do NOT refer here to the Dee vote ee you explained to me on the live thing)!!!! 😂😂😂😂

[@EmpoweredPara]

@outbacktraveller58 haha he better be devoted to me!

[@JamesSmith-pm9gp]

Devotion to a spouse is a wonderful thing! My wife, despite limited function on the right side of her body, volunteered again today to vacuum the inside of our Santa Fe when we went to the car wash! I am so blessed!

[@Liz-Biz]

What is the height of your garden beds

[@outbacktraveller58]

Basically just have some hand cleaner near a tap near the door in order to save cross contamination.

[@EmpoweredPara]

I actually have a sink outside! I just need to put cleaner out there! Smart!

[@outbacktraveller58]

@@EmpoweredPara 😂❤️

[@angelpearce]

i hope some experienced people share solutions with you as well. : )

[@livingdifferently470]

Um yah. I would weed whack the lawn and grass shaving all over my feet and chair and wheels. I would go in mud too. I would have to spend an additional 30 minutes cleaning everything. Thank God I had an air compressor for fast blowing. And the worst wheel you (me) can feel it. Itching grit. Tearing clothes dirty socks and shoes.... yup.

[@outbacktraveller58]

Guess what, Brit? I detest gardening. If I had my rathers, my entire gardens would be concrete!!!!! I probably learnt some ……unexpected …… facts!!!!!!

[@BudgetingBeezy]

❤

[@morgancalvi6675]

I've found railing planters are easier.

[@outbacktraveller58]

Please forgive the fact that I am so opinionated!,,,,

[@EmpoweredPara]

Love opinionated people! Even better when they have an accent lol

[@outbacktraveller58]

@@EmpoweredPara I don’t think you’ve heard mine, yet, girl. It’s uber broad!!!!!!

[@morgancalvi6675]

I'm glad you figured out things...just a friendly reminder for you and anyone reading this...but ordering from Amazon (and I'm probably guilty of this too...except I make sure I get things from Europe), you are financing flus like 'COVID' (which was really germ warfare) and you remember Canadian truckers were beat really bad as a result of trying to get COVID restrictions lifted.

[@quintonharvey1957]

bless your heart

[@buster531000]

Would wearing pants not help keeping your legs cleaner, I hope your not just wearing the apron.

[@AL.BUNDY.]

1st

[@ronaldhegner9558]

You are an insipring person. I am not in a chair but deal with other issues allot less changeling yours. I still watch your programs to gain an understanding of others issues to put mine in perpective.

[@DirtCleanerVideos]

* Watch all your videos. Love the frank talk. * Two years before my journey as a para started I built a great 25X50 garden. Abandoned it after one year of using it. * Might be time to accept that gardening is dirty. So is beekeeping and working in my rock shop. Besides my lap most stuff ends up in my shoes. You know.😅 * I don’t want to sound too misogynistic but most guys like their girls when they dig in and get a bit dirty. * below is a link to my garden build video. Enjoy. * kzbin.info/www/bejne/epywfaynotiDodEsi=WNPQLUn9Cj8AIsMM