Wednesday, May 1, 2002

Helpful hints and innovative tools make gardening easier for seniors

Gardening can enrich life in many ways, physically, mentally and spiritually. But it can also be hard work, especially as you get older.

That does not mean you have to stop gardening, though. It simply means you have to rethink how you garden. For starters, consider incorporating some of these garden planning principles:

* Raised beds and trellises are easier to maintain than in-ground beds.

* Garden beds should be no more than 4 feet wide to allow tending the bed without straining.

* Wide garden paths allow for safer walking and permit use of labor saving carts and dollies.

* Water weighs more than 8 pounds per gallon, so design your garden with easy access to hoses and water sources.

Consider the ultimate water system: an efficient automated drip or soaker hose system. Before getting started on your plans, however, it's important to obtain the proper tools. Avid gardeners recommend high quality, ergonomically designed tools specially developed to multiply cutting power and minimize stress to your body.

"Working in the garden can become a hassle, cause pain and, in extreme cases, lead to disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome," said Nate Fethke, ergonomics engineer, Fiskars Garden Tools. "That's why it's important to use tools that match your capabilities, limitations and any special needs."

There are a number of tools available today that do just that. Consider the Extended Reach grass and hedge shears. With a reach of 38 inches, this tool lets you trim grass while standing up, eliminating bending, stooping and kneeling something aging backs and knees will truly appreciate. The same tool also features an adjustable cutting head that rotates 270 degrees, allowing you to safely trim the tops of hedges without using a ladder.

If it's your hands and wrists that trouble you, the Power-Lever hand pruner will make your day. The mechanical advantage of the lever mechanism allows you to multiply your cutting power by more than 35 percent compared to ordinary garden tools.

The handle design, which keeps the handles parallel throughout the cut, allows all fingers to assist in pruning, which minimizes strain and maximizes your power through a cut. Its sleek, lightweight form is also perfect for gardeners with small- to medium-sized hands.

Want to trim branches overhead without using a ladder? How about at ground level without bending, stooping or kneeling? The Pruning Stik is the most versatile pruning tool ever, and one of the easiest to use. It features a cutting head that rotates on a 240-degree arc, enabling the user to set the proper cutting angle for any pruning task.

The tool is activated by pulling on the handle halfway up the Stik, or by pulling on the ball end of the Stik when needed at its full length. The Pruning Stik has an overall length of 62 inches, but weighs a mere 31 ounces.

Now that you've made plans and armed yourself with the proper tools, it's time to get gardening. Keep these helpful tips in mind to ensure a safe and healthy experience:

* Garden early or late in the day to avoid the heat.

* Drink plenty of liquids and wear light, loose clothing, a big sun hat and gardening gloves.

* Carry a whistle or cell phone along with your other garden tools.

For more information on ergonomic tools and other helpful gardening tips, visit www.fiskars.com. To locate a retailer near you that carries ergonomic garden tools, call (800) 500-4849.

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