Assistive Technology Spotlight: Ergonomic Gardening Tools

Published by agrabilitypa on April 12, 2017April 12, 2017

If April showers bring May flowers, then we are already headed towards a beautiful spring!

AgrAbility PA Project Assistant Abbie Spackman shared garden-related assistive technology at the Occupational Therapy Association Conference (AOTA) in Philadelphia this spring.

Pair this with the beautiful, mild weather we've been having, it can be exciting to get back outside and into your flowerbeds or garden. But painful hands, wrists, and backs can quickly dissipate that excitement.

Head to your local gardening store or visit sites online to find the perfect garden tools for you. For a tool to be truly ergonomic, it needs to be fitted to each individual. This is why we recommend trying tools out before you buy them. What fits one person may not fit you!

Visit this website for a wonderful resource on gardening with arthritis!

Here are several tools we commonly recommend:

Green Heron Tools: This company sells tools ergonomically built for women. Try out their shovels or a pair of pruners that come in two sizes.

Radius Gardening Tools: They are lightweight and have curved handles that allow for different writs positions. They also have larger grips that can reduce joint pain in your hands.

Disability Work Tools Robo Handle: This handle can be added to tools you already have! The unique grip allows your wrist to stay in a natural position.