Raised bed for bad backs.

**Alison** · 07-10-2010, 12:44 PM

Originally posted by Bigmallly View Post

I think dodgy backs & gardening go hand in hand.

Only if you don't protect your back by warming up properly, using the right tools and lifting properly. It's the same as in the rest of life, if you use your knees and core then you'll be fine and not suffer with back problems. Raised beds can be a good idea but they can also be very costly and time consuming to make so definitely aren't the only answer.

**Bigmallly** · 07-10-2010, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by Alison View Post

Raised beds can be a good idea but they can also be very costly and time consuming to make so definitely aren't the only answer.

Never said they were, but I am sure there are gardeners on the forum that are not lucky enough to have strong backs or are maybe wheelchair bound. Was just an idea I thought I would share......Thanks for the reply & maybe I should keep my thoughts to myself.

**Nicos** · 07-10-2010, 04:32 PM

As you say BM- it's a good idea but expensive!

I immediately thought about maybe getting an old bathtub and fixing some cladding round it to make it look prettier would work in a similar way??

**FionaH** · 07-10-2010, 05:29 PM

A mate of mine was thinking about one of these. She has achondroplasia therefore very short. They are good but very expensive so she was going to talk her bother into making one for her.

All this was a great plan till I reminded her she hates gardening and kills house plants

**buzzingtalk** · 07-10-2010, 05:41 PM

I have a bad back at minute, been in lots of pain for last 6 weeks, so not looking good! Raised beds would be good, although I can't really lift stuff properly (weak wrists) anyway, so currently I have a nice outdoor pillow that I sit on and I get the OH to do lifting for me haha. I often move stuff and sit on the step outside the kitchen door with stuff in front of me (put plants on upside down box or something to bring it level) so I can keep a staight back without straining.

I can't imagine how hard it would be to love gardening but be in a wheelchair, gardens are bloody inacessable to all but the most nimble people at times!

**Bigmallly** · 07-10-2010, 05:55 PM

Sorry for any confusion guys, I am not promoting buying this product. What am saying is it could be made for less than half their price with a little DIY knowledge.

**Florence Fennel** · 07-10-2010, 06:09 PM

This certainly applies to me BM. I'm getting on a bit and have arthritis, so it is difficult to do very much without the back strain. (Coincidentally, I have a "bad" back at the minute and I haven't even done anything strenuous). I would love to grow at waist height, but the raised table planters are way out of my price range. Pity himself has never been any good at DIY!

**Snadger** · 07-10-2010, 06:12 PM

The snadge version would be constructed from pallets, have used fertiliser bags for a liner and have drainage holes in it...........total cost, nowt!

Is this not just a powsh 'Salad bar'?

**buzzingtalk** · 07-10-2010, 06:14 PM

Same here Florence! I wish I could do DIY too

Do you know anyone that would be willing to help you? Do you have an allotment? Maybe someone would be up for helping build some raised bed structure in exchange for help or advice with their plot?

**Bigmallly** · 07-10-2010, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by Florence Fennel View Post

This certainly applies to me BM. I'm getting on a bit and have arthritis, so it is difficult to do very much without the back strain. (Coincidentally, I have a "bad" back at the minute and I haven't even done anything strenuous). I would love to grow at waist height, but the raised table planters are way out of my price range. Pity himself has never been any good at DIY!

Have a think about it over the next few months & come spring if you still want one, let me know,get the materials & I'll come down & make it for you. Call it a late xmas pressy.

**Snadger** · 07-10-2010, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by Bigmallly View Post

Have a think about it over the next few months & come spring if you still want one, let me know,get the materials & I'll come down & make it for you. Call it a late xmas pressy.

Ah.........aint that sweet!

**solway cropper** · 07-10-2010, 08:56 PM

Only if you don't protect your back by warming up properly, using the right tools and lifting properly.

Due to disease or injury some of us have permanent bad backs that no amount of warming up will make any difference to. I've only had mine for 40-odd years and I've kinda got used to it but I have to be very careful so anything that makes gardening easier is to be welcomed. I have benches for filling and planting my containers and get help with lifting. I also use a no-dig system now and have one of those kneeler things for when I have to get down to ground level. There may come a time when I need something like BM suggested but I suspect it'll be cobbled together a-la-Snadger.

**Bigmallly** · 07-10-2010, 09:02 PM

Originally posted by Snadger View Post

The snadge version would be constructed from pallets, have used fertiliser bags for a liner and have drainage holes in it...........total cost, nowt!

If it works Snadge, that's what it's all about.

**annacruachan** · 08-10-2010, 06:56 AM

You're right, bigmally, it's perfectly possible to replicate these at a fraction of the price. I suppose you can't blame the manufacturers for trying.

Mr C has made me some sturdy tables at about waist height, largely from waste timber. Each one takes three fishboxes. Another is made up of solid planks on oil drums. My squashes and courgettes did very well in them in the summer. They are now full of strawberries waiting for me to douse them with nematodes.

Pallets are good too, and the crates that roofing slates come in. I use all of these and would really be unable to garden without them. Arthritis accompanies old age however much warming up you do!

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