Garden Tools for Seniors

Garden tools for seniors and adaptive gardening make it possible to enjoy gardening well into your golden years.

Gardeners love their tools, and every gardener has at least one favorite tool they can’t garden without. But what happens when your favorite tool is no longer comfortable to use due to physical issues with your hands? Then what?

Many senior gardeners report the older they get, their hands become weaker and less flexible. That’s a problem because you need your hands to do literally every task in your garden. In fact, your hands are your most important gardening tools.

The good news is when your hands aren’t working the way they always have, you don’t have to give up gardening. But you may have to adapt your gardening practices and use some different tools that make gardening more comfortable. That’s what adaptive gardening is all about. It’s using the right tools in the right ways to make gardening more comfortable for older and less physically able bodies.

This is exactly what I have done to continue to garden. And it’s what all of us must do as we get older.

Adaptive Gardening and Garden Tools for Seniors

Today, tool manufacturers are selling ergonomically designed products that are crafted to fit comfortably in your hand. These tools are made from lightweight, durable materials, so they will last for many years. Ergonomic tools are safer and easier to use, and comfort should be your highest priority.

My advice is to buy the best tools you can afford. When you buy high-quality garden tools for seniors, you will seldom (if ever) have to replace them because you wore them out. You should also know that I am all about smart and safe gardening. I want everyone to make greater ease and well-being a primary goal of each gardening experience.

With that in mind, here are my must-have tools.

Best Garden Tools for Seniors: Pruners

Your number one most important tool is a good quality pruner. Experience shows using a higher-quality pair of pruners will save you money and save your hands from pain and fatigue. High-quality pruners hold their sharp edges longer, so you work less and save energy to make your cuts. But with so many different pruners available to choose from, how do you find the perfect one for you?

There is a huge variety of pruners on the market, in every conceivable price range. There are left-handed and right-handed models. Some have looped handles, swivel grips, or ratcheting gears.

My favorite pruner is the Corona Clipper Flex Dial Bypass Pruner. The ComfortGEL grips maximize your comfort because they are soft and ergonomically shaped for ease of use. The 8-position FlexDIAL adjusts the handles to fit your hand size, from small to extra large. (Turn the dial to a lower number for small hands or to a higher number for larger hands.) This will reduce hand fatigue while making repetitive cuts. The ShockGUARD Bumpers reduce hand fatigue by absorbing vibration. Check Price on Amazon.

TONI’S TIP:  When you go shopping for pruners in a local store, ask the retailer for their recommendations. Why do they like that particular pruner? Ask them if it’s okay to take the pruners out of the packaging so you can hold it in your hand. If possible, try several brands to find out which one is best for you. Choose comfort over cost with your pruner!

Diamond Tool Sharpener

When you invest in quality tools, you need to keep them sharpened. I once bought a sharpener that was four inches long. I thought to myself: “I’m going to lose this.” And I did.

Then I found a 10-inch diamond tool sharpener that I absolutely love. I bought it because it was large enough so I wouldn’t lose it. Plus, it has a slip-resistant comfort grip and a safety guard so you won’t accidentally cut yourself.

That’s why I recommend the Ironwood Diamond Tool Sharpener as an outstanding garden tool for seniors and those with sensitive hands. The round side of the electroplated sharpening tool has a 400 grit surface for sharpening dull or damaged tool blades. The 600 grit side is for finer edges to maintain a polished, sharp edge. The tapered design of the tool makes it easy to sharpen blades without taking the tool apart. This tool requires only 15 to 20 strokes to sharpen most tools. Plus, the bright red handle makes it easy to find this tool among your other garden tools.

I love this sharpener, and you will, too. Check Price on Amazon.

TONI’S TIP: Get in the habit of sharpening your tools when you are finished for the day. That way they will be ready for you the next time you need it.

Best Garden Tools for Seniors: Multi-Function Soil Scoop

I’m all about saving time, money, and energy. That’s why I love multi-functional tools because they save all three for me.

Aside from my Corona pruners, I always reach for my Ironwood Soil Scoop because it replaces other tools. You can use the Soil Scoop for digging holes, weeding, and even making seed furrows. The business part of the soil scoop is larger than the average trowel, so you can scoop more soil and save precious energy. It has serrated edges, which makes it easier to open bags of compost or mulch. I find this soil scoop replaces my scissors for these garden jobs. (Besides, my scissors are never there when I need them!)

The Ironwood Soil Scoop is truly a multi-functional tool. Plus, it boasts a colorful comfort-grip handle that is gentle on arthritic hands. This Soil Scoop has been approved by Seniors Select, an organization that approves tools that will truly benefit seniors. Check Price and Shipping.   

TONI’S TIP: My original Soil Scoop came with a wooden handle. But after I got a splinter, I always insist on the red comfort-grip because it’s easier to see in your tool shed.

Get a Grip with a Radius Weeder

The first time I saw a Radius Garden hand tool was at a garden trade show. To be honest, I thought they were funny looking. Then I overheard two nursery buyers discussing the line. They were raving about how well the tools had been selling since they brought them into their stores.

So, I bought one and realized why they look the way they do. Radius is all about ergonomics and comfort.

Radius garden tools maximize comfort while minimizing hand and wrist stress. Their exclusive design helps transfer energy from large muscles to the blade of the tool which helps you maintain a neutral wrist. A real plus is their aluminum blades are lightweight and exceptionally strong.

This helps explain why I love the Radius Weeder. It is both lightweight and perfectly balanced. The serrated blade cuts through compacted roots and even the toughest clay soil. Best of all, they come with a lifetime guarantee. Oh, oh, oh… one more thing! Radius Garden tools come in fun colors, like purple, so you will not lose them in your garden. Check Price on Amazon.  

TONI’S TIP: Radius Garden makes other great hand tools, including a cultivator and a transplanter. I think a few of these different tools grouped together makes a great gift for senior gardeners.

Best Garden Tools for Seniors: What Your Knees Need

Getting down is the easy part; getting back up… not so much! Gardeners of any age should own a garden kneeler. I like them so much, I have two of them– one for the front yard, another for our backyard. I always keep one next to our raised beds, so I don’t have to lean over and hurt my back.

Using this handy device as a kneeler, you get down on your knees to work. When you want to get up, the two handles are so strong you can easily push down on them to stand up. Then you turn it upside down and you have a seat you can use next to your containers or raised beds.

A multi-functional kneeler like the TomCare Garden Kneeler and Garden Bench will make your gardening easier and more comfortable. It’s portable, and it folds up for easy storage. The foam-padded cushion is quite comfortable, and it can be easily cleaned by simply wiping it off with a damp cloth. It also has handy pockets for tools, gloves, and other garden stuff. Check Price on Amazon.

TONI’S TIP: This garden kneeler makes for a great gift for the senior gardener in your life. And buy one for yourself, too. I guarantee both of you will love it!

And here’s one more tip:

No matter what physical conditions are slowing you down, there is an ergonomic tool that can help you keep doing what you love to do– with comfort and ease. This means you never have to give up on your love of gardening!

—————————————————–

Toni Gattone is a passionate gardener, an enthusiastic speaker, and the author of The Lifelong Gardener, Garden with Ease & Joy at Any Age. (Timber Press, 2019). Before writing her book, Gattone was a sales rep for quality garden products for nearly three decades. She overcame debilitating back pain so she could keep gardening. Now she is a recognized expert on adaptive gardening. Find out more about her at www.tonigattone.com.

—————————————————–

Is mowing your lawn

getting more and more difficult?

Read about the

Best Robotic Lawn Mowers

so you will never need to mow again!

Home, Garden and Homestead is a proud member of the Amazon Affiliate program. We receive a small commission (at no cost to you) from sales generated by links in this story. Thank you for supporting this website!