Movement disorders like Parkinson’s make hobbies like gardening more challenging, but staying active, going outside, and eating healthy are all important parts of maintaining long-term health with a neuro-degenerative disease. We gathered eight tools that may be useful to help keep you or a loved one in the garden, despite symptoms and challenges.
1. Claw Garden Gloves ~ $6
If rigidity, tremor, or a related issue make traditional hand tools cumbersome, embrace your inner gopher with these gloves designed to make digging with your hands fun and effective!
2. Compressed Soil Blocks ~ $30 for approx. 20 gallons of potting soil
Can’t carry heavy soil bags to-and-fro? For seed starting and indoor potting soil, you can get compressed blocks of coco coir—broken down coconut husks, an eco-friendly bi-product of coconut harvesting. These bricks are light and easy to store, and when you’re ready to plant something, just add water and fluff!
3. Fabric Grow Pots ~ $30 for 10 15 gallon pots
These grow bags are a great way to expand your grow space above ground and give you the flexibility to move things around (by yourself or with some help!) to best accommodate your movement disorder needs.
4. Power Planter ~ $38
For everything from digging perfect holes to mixing soil the easy way! Get your plants in the ground in half the time and accommodate mobility issues that may make digging a challenge with traditional tools.
5. Grandpa’s Weeder ~ $40
Designed to help you pull weeds with ease—without bending over every time. Plus, the extra leverage of the long handle can help you pull stubborn roots without straining.
6. Indoor Greens Garden ~ $50
Incorporate more fresh herbs and leafy greens into your diet with this all-in-one indoor hydroponic growing kit, complete with a grow-light to keep your veggies happy even in the dimmest corner!
7. Electric pruner ~ $50
If you struggle with grip strength that may make traditional pruners troublesome, this could be a good option! Though we’d recommend checking with a trusted loved one or healthcare professional before using a tool like this if you struggle with significant cognitive symptoms like confusion, hallucinations, or delusions, as this could easily take off a finger!
8. Knee Seat ~ $100
This tool might not be for everyone, but for those who struggle with repeated kneeling and work in a relatively small garden space, it could be a lifesaver! Just keep an eye out for balance issues that may arise from walking with this attached.
