Using Table Planters forLifelong Gardening.

To fellow gardening enthusiasts:

Mention the word gardening . . . and you’re likely to hear about a variety of gardening experiences: food source, hobby, insects, relaxation, sore muscles, sweat, beauty, and memories, among others. Webster describes gardening as both a noun and a verb, but falls short of the emotional connection that gardening conjures up in us. Gardening is one of the most popular leisure time activities of Americans. From the Victory Gardens of our grandmothers to the urban community garden, working the soil to provide our own food or landscape beauty is important to many of us!

And it’s no wonder--the therapeutic benefits of gardening are well documented. The growing field of Horticulture Therapy, which recognizes the physical, psychological and spiritual benefits of gardening in any scale, adds further credence to what gardeners already know: that gardening helps us in many ways!

When life experiences affect our ability to garden, must we eliminate that living connection to the earth? We believe that the experience of gardening should be accessible to all. This publication is intended as a guide to enjoying the benefits of gardening regardless of your stage of life or physical abilities. Whether it is with specially designed tools, plants that stimulate the senses, or raised beds and planters, this publication may have the information and resources you need to keep gardening!

The Columbia County Master Gardener Association.

A PLANTER FOR EVERYONE WHO GARDENS.

A table planter is a garden that is raised to a level to provide easier accessibility for wheelchair gardeners as well as those who find it difficult to bend, stand straight or have back problems. This, along with specialized tools that can be made or purchased can make gardening much easier.

The table planter that we designed utilizes the Americans with Disabilities Act recommendations and is constructed of lumber. We recommend naturally rot resistant wood such as black locust, cedar, cypress, osage orange and some types of fir. New, pressure-treated lumber may also be used. If you have concerns about treated products, check with your local lumber dealer for appropriate choices.

The overhead structural bracing is necessary to make a stable unit while allowing space underneath to accommodate wheelchair accessibility. The planter can be adapted by altering the dimensions for any individual gardener. Tool racks and basket hangers can also be added and are encouraged to reflect your own preferences. This unit is very strong and stable when built as shown in the diagram.

You will need some basic tools and a moderate amount of woodworking skills to build this planter. With the help of a few friends, you’ll have a new planter ready for use in a short amount of time. The diagrams for this table planter, materials list, and assembly instructions are available through the Columbia County UW-Extension Office.

SETTING UP AND USING YOUR TABLE PLANTER.

Selecting a site for the planter is very important. The location should be level and solid to support the weight of the planter, and to provide a stable surface for gardeners using wheelchairs, walkers or canes. Other considerations are proximity to water supply and amount of sun the site will receive. Avoid placing the planter under eaves or roof drip lines. Remember that the constructed and filled planter is very heavy and will be difficult to move.

Now that you have built your new table planter, fill it with a soil-less mix and select your plants. We strongly recommend the use of a soil-less potting or planting mix for this unit. The soil-less mix is lighter in weight, thus easier to handle and transport than soil. Soil-less potting mixes are also commonly

used for container gardening. It will take about 12 cubic feet of mix to fill the planter.

Select a good quality soil-less mix from your favorite garden center. The mix that our test planters used included ground bark, Canadian sphagnum moss, perlite, ground limestone (for pH balance) and gypsum (as a wetting agent). Other possible components include vermiculite, compost, timed-release fertilizer, and moisture holding (polyacrylamide) crystals.

The use of “potting soil” or garden soil is not recommended because of possible soil drainage problems and excess weight. Waterlogged potting soil is very heavy, and cakes when it dries.

Fill the planting bed with dry soil-less mix, level with the top of the planter. Water thoroughly with a garden hose equipped with a gentle spray nozzle or a garden watering can. The soil-less mix will settle after watering. Additional mix should be added to bring the level to within one-half inch of the top of the planter. Soil-less mixes need to be fertilized more frequently than regular soil. A balanced liquid fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is most appropriate. Both organic and conventional commercial fertilizers are available. Follow the label directions, as each type and brand is different in their composition and instructions for use. Your garden center, local Master Gardeners, county extension agent or educator can assist you with your selections. Watering is crucial to all plants’ health and beauty. This planter is no exception. You will need to water regularly and often. The frequency of watering will depend on conditions such as location, rainfall, temperature, amount of sun or shade, and types of plants being grown. During warm, sunny months you may need to water daily, or even twice a day if the plants are large and appear stressed.

As a general rule, water frequently, totaling at least one inch per week. Burying a “weep-type” soaker hose within the soil-less mix simplifies watering. The water seeps out slowly and is absorbed throughout the mix. In our test planter, up to 50 feet of soaker hose was adequate. Other types of drip-watering systems are available at local garden centers. You can use a watering can or a regular hose with a water wand or nozzle. Let your hands be the judge of whether or not the plants need water. It should be slightly moist, but not wet.

WHAT TO PLANT IN THE TABLE PLANTER.

Many plants used in a traditional garden can also be planted in the table planter or in a container. However, there are some exceptions and certain varieties that will work better than others.

It is recommended that annual flowers and vegetables be planted in the table planter. The depth of the soil in the planter may not provide adequate protection for the roots of perennial plants during the winter months in cold climates. If you do choose a perennial plant for the table planter, it should be treated as an annual.

Choose plant varieties with a compact growth habit that are more shallow-rooted and high yielding. These plants can be planted much closer together than you would plant in a traditional garden. Compact spacing cuts down on watering and weeding. If planting short-season vegetables such as lettuce or radishes, multiple plantings can be accomplished in a single growing season. The table planter or other containers should be in a location that receives the proper amount of sunlight for the plants you are growing.

A trellis added to the sides or ends of the table planter provides space for climbing plants and will also increase your growing space. A small trellis can be purchased or be made of materials such as netting, wire, string or twine. Vines can be allowed to grow down the sides of the table planter, but care should be taken to keep them trimmed and off the ground to reduce the potential of a trip hazard.

FLOWERS.As with all flower gardens, choose flowers with complimentary colors, varying textures, heights and bloom times. The intended use of the plants should also be considered. The flower choices will differ if a cutting garden is intended as opposed to an ornamental flower display. Some annual flowers that lend themselves nicely to the table planter are alyssum, geraniums, marigolds, nasturtium, petunias, snapdragons, pansies, Johnny-jump-ups and zinnias. Check seed catalogs or your local garden center to determine the height and spread each requires. Cardinal climbers, sweet peas and morning glories are flowers that grow well on a trellis. Sweet potato vines can also be used, but these are planted only for their brightly colored foliage.

VEGETABLES.Many vegetables can be grown with success in the table planter, including “baby” carrots such as the Thumbelina variety, beets, bush beans, eggplant, lettuce, peas, radishes, spinach and Swiss chard. To learn more about what types of vegetables would be appropriate for table planters, check gardening websites and look for the sections about vegetable cultivars suitable for containers.

Remember that all produce should be washed before eating. If the plants were sprayed to control pests, check the label to see how soon you can harvest the crop.

WHAT IF I WANT TO GROW TOMATOES? Some vegetables like tomatoes are too big to be grown successfully in the table planter. Tomatoes may not do well in the table planter, due to their trailing habit and extensive root systems. For these plants, it is recommended to use a five-gallon pail or other large container.

Tomato plants will have to be staked, trellised, or caged. Choose compact “patio” or “container” varieties. Check with your garden center to determine a variety appropriate for growing in containers in your area.

For drainage, drill four or five holes about the size of dime along the side of the pail, just above the bottom. Place several small rocks in the bottom of the pail for stability and drainage. Cover the rocks with burlap or newspaper and then fill with planting mix.

Water to keep containers evenly moist and check to be sure the drainage holes remain open. If containers will need to be moved, consider placing them on casters or use a dolly.

Large containers are also ideal for other vegetables such as peppers, cucumbers, bush-type squash varieties and early potatoes. Flowers with larger root systems and flower/vegetable combinations do well in large containers. Some plants will need to be staked or trellised for support.

HERBS.Almost any annual herb can be grown in the table planter. Good choices are basil, borage, chamomile, cilantro, marjoram and parsley. Perennial herbs like chives, oregano, sage, rosemary and thyme can also be grown in the table planter. In cold climate areas, pot these plants and bring them to a sunny room indoors before winter, or simply treat them as annual plants.

HOUSEPLANTS.The table planter is an excellent place for potted houseplants that like to be outside in the summer. Houseplants may remain in pots. Give them shade if the variety requires shade. Sun-filtering fabric called “shade cloth,” is available at garden centers, and can be draped across the top of the table planter to create shade.

CONSIDER ALL THE SENSES WHEN PLANTING A TABLE PLANTER.

Beautiful flowers! Brightly colored vegetables! These may be the first things we see when looking at a garden, but a garden can be more than a feast for the eyes. Plants that stimulate our senses of taste, smell, touch, and even hearing can make the gardening experience so much more enjoyable.

HOW DOES IT TASTE?Growing fruits and vegetables is a perfect way to stimulate your sense of taste. There is nothing tastier than a ripe tomato, still warm from the sun. Why not grow a whole salad? The table planter is an ideal spot for lettuce, radishes, and peppers. A cucumber plant trained on a trellis and a tomato plant in a container complete the salad.

For good tasting garden plants, you don’t need to stop with vegetables. Herbs and edible flowers can add interesting flavors as well as scents and colors. There are many new varieties of mint that add interesting foliage to your table planter, as well as flavor to your cooking. Look for apple or citrus flavored mints, in addition to the more familiar spearmint or peppermint. Mint is an aggressive plant, so you may want to plant it in a pot and sink the pot into the soil of the table planter to keep the roots from spreading.

WHAT CAN YOU SEE?Selecting plants with varied foliage or colorful blossoms adds a lot of visual interest to the table planter for everyone. Too many green or dark-colored plants can be hard for gardeners with limited vision to distinguish. Vegetables that are brightly colored like “Bright Lights” Swiss chard or purple beans, stand out from the green foliage, and may be easier to harvest.

HOW DOES IT SMELL?The scents of gardening can evoke fond memories. Every plant has its own scent—sweet, spicy, or pungent. In your table planter, you can choose plants that will have fragrance all season long, such as scented geraniums, basil or thyme.

HOW DOES IT FEEL?There are many different textures to include in plant choices. Some plants have soft fuzzy leaves or flowers, like lamb’s ear, wooly thyme and celosia. Many ornamental grasses have fluffy, exotic flower heads that feel silky to the touch. Seedpods of the money plant have a papery feel to them. The little blossoms along the stem of obedient plant are fun to turn this way and that—and they “obey” by staying in place.

WHAT DO YOU HEAR?You may want to include some plants just for the interesting sounds they make in the garden. Ornamental grasses or oats, and Chinese lanterns not only are attractive background plants, but they rustle in the slightest breeze.

TAKING CARE OF THE GARDENER.One of the chief attractions of gardening is the chance to be outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. That wonderful sunshine and fresh air can be the source of sunburn or windburn for delicate skin of younger children, older adults or people who haven’t spent much time outdoors. Some people on certain medications may be more sensitive to the sun.

Sunglasses and a lightweight hat with a wide brim will protect you from some damaging sunrays. Don’t forget to use a sunscreen on all parts of your skin that are exposed to the sun, including your face, neck, arms and legs. Lip balm will help protect your lips from windburn.

A good pair of garden gloves can keep your hands clean, as well as save your fingernails! Look for a pair that really fits you (not too loose or too snug) and is flexible enough for grasping small plants or weeds, as well as tools.

You can make a pair of “arm protectors” to protect your arms and clothing from scratches, sun, or soil while working in the garden. Simply cut off the sleeves of an old nylon jacket, or the legs of outgrown wind pants to the length you need to cover your arm, and add elastic to the cut end to hold them up on your arm. You can sew a casing at the top and insert a piece of elastic a little shorter than the dimension around your upper arm. If the ends of the sleeves or pant legs already have elastic in them, you are finished! If the ends are not elastic, you can add elastic, or sew on a soft ribbing, cut from old sweater sleeves or discarded socks. These work great for older adults with delicate skin. Slipping on a pair of arm protectors is a convenient way to cover your arms or clothing without changing garments.

No matter what your age, it’s important to take care of yourself, as well as the garden.

GARDEN TOOLS: HOW SIMPLE ADAPTATIONS CAN MAKE GARDENING EASIER.

Garden tools, specifically designed for proper body dynamics, are for everyone! Gardeners of all ages who live with a physical condition or an injury such as a repetitive strain injury or arthritis, or for those who wish to prevent injury or pain can benefit from ergonomically designed tools. Ergonomically designed tools such as those with thick grips or extra long handles can help to reduce pressure on those body parts that are often left aching such as knees, backs, shoulders and hands.

When gardeners find their garden tools difficult to use, the good news is that they don’t have to go out and buy all new tools! While many manufacturers make tools that provide greater comfort and ease of use for purchase, it is also possible to modify existing tools. Long handled tools ease strain on the back and shoulders while foam and other padding added to handles eases joint pain and aids in gripping. Stools and carts can provide greater mobility. Smaller tools designed for children may be useful in the table planter because they are lighter in weight and have short handles.

Homemade devices such as a three foot section of ½-inch plastic pipe to plant beans and other large seeds by dropping the seeds down the pipe into the soil, make the task of planting much easier. Pelleted seed or seed tapes are easier to handle than tiny flower or vegetable seeds.

Thoughtful garden design and raised beds or planters can help keep gardening accessible. Pathways should be smooth and barrier free. The use

of trellising and other supports makes harvesting easier. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems eliminate the need to lug heavy hoses and cans of water. Planters attached to a rope and pulleys also make watering and tending much easier. Use your imagination to create the perfect modification for you or check with your favorite garden center and ask for tools that will make your gardening more enjoyable!

This publication is intended to provide suggestions and ideas to enhance the gardening experience for people of all ages, but especially for those with special physical needs. By making some simple modifications we can extend and broaden the gardening experience, enjoyment, and benefits. For additional information, visit your public library or local Extension office or do a web search of the following terms: accessible gardening, enabled gardening, lifelong gardening, horticultural therapy, or therapeutic horticulture.

This project was developed by the Columbia County Master Gardener Association. Authors: Ann Bisping, Jane & Jeff Breuer, Becky Gutzman, Mike & Patty Koch, Carol Lentz, Laura Paine & Ardyce Piehl.