Book Review: Accessible Gardening

Accessible Gardening provides many ideas for enabling the disabled or elderly to continue gardening for a hobby. The eleven chapters cover subjects such as: the layout of an accessible garden, general garden construction, use of raised beds, containers and trellises, soil testing and preparation, easy composting, water, tools, general lawn care, accessible landscapes, accessories for accessibility and a brief chapter on horticulture therapy for professionals.

The first chapter presents important information for making gardens accessible to those in wheelchairs. An excellent diagram illustrates average measurements for wheelchair size, including reach limits for an adult wheelchair user. A thorough discussion of paths and general garden layout which would enable the wheelchair user to actively garden is also presented. I was particularly pleased to learn of some possibilities for finding low interest or interest free grants or loans to help the homeowner pay for the construction of an accessible garden.

Chapter two deals with constructing paths and patios, ramps and steps. It thoroughly discusses the benefits and detriments of different construction materials. Even items such as fences and self-closing gates are discussed.

Chapters three through ten left me with the feeling that this book is a bit disorganized. Chapters three through six discuss adapting tasks such as using raised beds, containers, and trellises, testing and preparing the soil, and some alternative ways of composting. Chapter Seven and Chapter ten both deal with garden tools and accessories. I feel these chapters should have followed chapters eight and nine which talk about lawncare and making the landscape accessible.

If this book is updated, I would strongly urge that the chapters be rearranged to have a more logical order. Other than this problem, the book is written in an easy to read format and well illustrated with diagrams or pictures. Some of the information presented hasn't been found in other books on this topic.

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