With all the spring sunshine (and rain) many of us are thinking about how to get out in the garden.
Gardening can be a great way of staying active while getting fresh air and opening up new social opportunities. There is a vibrant community of gardeners with vision impairment in Norfolk and beyond who have developed ways of adapting their gardens to make them more accessible and easier to manage. Today we’re sharing some of our favourite tips.
If you’re new to gardening or returning after a long break, it’s often helpful to start small and make sure that you plan ahead as the garden starts to grow. Containers and raised beds are a great way to start gardening on a small scale. A raised bed can be just a few inches or can be at a comfortable height to use sitting or standing.
Landmarks around the garden can help you find your way around. Shrubs and trees, scented or tactile plants, items such as benches, and sounds like running water or wind chimes, can all help with navigation. Even, clearly defined paths can make it safer and easier to navigate Some gardeners edge their borders with a low kerb that can be identified using a cane or felt with your foot. If you have some sight it might also help to highlight steps, path edges and fencing with bright paint.
People can sometimes find it difficult to find their way back to where they were in the garden. One possible solution is to take a small radio with you and leave it on while you’re working so you can find your way back by following the sound.
Purchasing the right equipment can also make a big difference. If you have some sight, you might find your tools easier to spot if they have bright handles. You can paint the handles in more contrasting colours or use brightly coloured tape. There is now a whole range of “multi-change” tools with Snap-On interchangeable heads which can allow you to work close to the plants, making the best use of remaining sight.
Get Started with Vision Norfolk
There is a great group of gardening enthusiasts with vision impairment at Vision Norfolk. They meet throughout the year at our Norwich Community Hub to discuss techniques, plant up pots and visit local gardens for inspiration.
Thanks to funding from the Norfolk Community Foundation’s Greening Our Communities Fund, Vision Norfolk has purchased a greenhouse for our Norwich site and have an allotment plot at Marlpit Community Garden which our gardening group uses to grow a variety of plants throughout the year.
It’s free to join in and all levels of experience are most welcome. To find out more please call Mark Smith on 01603 573000 extension 341 or email [email protected].
