Back to top

Back to top

Back to top

Back to top

Back to top

 

 

 

 

 

Back to top

Back to top

Back to top

The 'Garden Gripper'
Along-handled grabbing tool for picking up hard to reach debris in your garden. Wide jaws and a clever fold out litter spike make this ideal for picking up small amounts of debris. The gripper jaws are capable of pulling out smaller weeds if you have good grip and co-ordination.

Especially good for people who have difficulty bending and people who use wheelchair.

Long handled debris collector
Often called "grabbers", this long-handled lightweight tool needs two hands to operate but is excellent for picking up debris without bending.

Tip: Ideal for using as a 'pooper scooper'

 

Grab-n-Lift Debris collector with plastic scoops
This tool can lift light debris by using a "scissor like" action to close the two large plastic scoops together. It is similar to the metal versions of this tool but the plastic blades make less noise when used on concrete and other hard surfaces

Length	80cm
Width	40cm
Weight	1.4kg
Price	£13
Supplier	Darlac Products
Model	DP556 Grab-n-lift

 

Suitable for people who have difficulty bending.

Back to top

Flexible rubber bucket with handles
These simple buckets have a couple of advantages over normal buckets. The tough rubber like material is flexible and soft so can be used to pour materials like compost and sand. Also the two handles are always available to hook with your hand, foot or garden tool such as the Garden Gripper shown above.

Shredders
One of the most difficult tasks for mobility impaired gardeners is the removal of waste and debris. For many people using a wheelbarrow or carrying around arm-fuls of branches is not an option.

Recently, electric shredders have become more popular and fallen in price to reasonable levels. Even the smallest versions may prove difficult to move but the two featured here are amongst the easiest to transport. The advantage of shredding branches is that you end up with far less bulk of material to move and this material can be used as a weed suppressing mulch.

I like to take the shredder to where I am pruning and collect the shreddings in a tray or bucket for easy removal. Some models come with a collecting bag.

The best (but most expensive) versions have self-feeding mechanisms which are safer and quicker to use. Make sure you wear gloves and eye protection when using a shredder. Have a pair of secateurs handy too as some branches may need side shoots cut off to fit into the opening.

Self-feeding quiet shredder
This powerful machine is quieter than most and has an excellent self-feeding mechanism so that you can stand back and watch the branches go down or collect more at the same time.

Budget price small shredder
For those who do not require an especially quiet machine or who want to shred softer material this machine is a good option. It is easy to move, powerful and has a unique paddle for safely pushing material into the opening.

If the machine does block or needs cleaning or sharpening the blade is quickly, and easily accessible and is isolated by safety cut-outs. It does not come with a collecting bag but a bucket can be used to collect the fine size shreddings that are ideal for composting or mulch.

* Always use gloves and goggles when using a shredder. Always disconnect plug before cleaning or opening machine.

Composting Garden Waste
A compost bin serves two purposes in you garden. Firstly it is somewhere
to store and manage waste material and secondly it can provide you with some fresh and nutritious soil to give your plants a boost.

A simple heap of weeds, grass, leaves and kitchen waste will eventually rot
down to provide compost. To speed up the process and to deter pests a
carefully selected bin is required. Avoid meat, fish and excessive grass
cuttings and woody material if you want good quality compost.

Compost bins come in an infinite variety of sizes and designs. The fully
enclosed plastic ones seem to yield the best results as they hold in the
heat well and also last a long time. For ease of access choose a bin with an
easy to open but secure lid. Also keep in mind that you will at some stage
require access to the rotted down material. Ideally it is good to have 2
compost bins and let one rot down completely whilst still using the other.
If you only have one bin then it is good to have one that gives you access
to the bottom without disturbing the material above.

The following bin has been selected for ease of use:

Plastic Compost Bin

Especially good for wheelchair users and people who use one hand only.

Looking after your tools

Tools scraper
A one piece plastic tool that is well designed to quickly and easily clean a variety of tools, specifically, mower blades, forks and spades.

Diamond sharpener
Hand-held sharpener for secateurs, loppers and garden knives. Just run the diamond coated surface a couple of times along the edge of your blade to keep it sharp. Safer and cleaner than grinding or oilstones.

Potting Master Gloves

These thin lightweight gloves are made from a new Vinyl material that is really tough and will not tear. They are great for protecting your skin and at the same time enabling you to carry out fine tasks like potting or weeding. They will not repel thorns so a tougher pair is needed for this type of work.

Available in 4 sizes