Gardening

Gardening is an enjoyable, relaxing and fulfilling activity which you can continue with or start to enjoy when your sight is impaired.

Just as with any other aspect of living with sight impairments, you will need to adjust your garden and your gardening skills to make sure you get the most out of it and stay safe:

• For people with some useful vision make sure pathways are well lit and ensure paved areas are level to reduce the risk of falls

• If possible, have slopes instead of steps in your garden. If steps can't be avoided, then make sure they also are well lit and add a hand rail. You could have a change of surface underfoot directly before the steps as a warning

• Paint the edges of steps and handrails in a contrasting colour

• If possible, use brightly coloured garden furniture

• Keep plants and shrubs cut back from paths and patios and avoid plants with thorns or spiked ends 

• Wear overspecs or a hat with a wide brim to reduce glare from sunlight. Wear overspecs or protective goggles to protect your eyes from injury from plants or plant supports

RNIB publishes a wonderful guide to gardening in two volumes. The Getting on with Gardening guides are packed with tried-and-tested techniques, gathered from many years of work with visually impaired gardeners.

Click here to order Getting on with Gardening

• If you have little or no useful vision, use landmarks to help with orientation; wind chimes, for example, can help identify certain places

• A raised edge along the side of paths will help identify where the path ends and the lawn or border begins

• Use a range of hedging and fencing for different areas of the garden so that each boundary feels different

• Avoid steps if possible ‑ a slope is better; if steps are unavoidable, provide a handrail and a change of surface to indicate that you are approaching steps

• Try to adjust the width of your borders so that you can reach to the back of the border without risking stepping on plants

Additional safety tips for the garden

Protective Goggles: these should definitely be worn when cutting or pruning and using any electrical equipment or chemicals. Ideally they should be worn whenever you are gardening. Wrap around clear goggles are ideal and fit over glasses.

Wearing gardening gloves protects your hands and helps keep them clean, but can hinder the sensitivity of touch. So try cutting a slit just below the tips of the fingers, to allow free movement whilst still protecting the rest of your hands.

Power Breakers plugged into the mains should be used with all electrical tools: should the electrical lead be cut, the power will automatically be shut off. These can be purchased for under £10.

Keep track of tools by marking them with bright colours. Try painting the handles or wrap coloured tape around them.

Carry and store small tools in a white bucket. For cheaper alternatives use ice cream tubs or make a compartmented bucket by taping a couple of large robust washing power containers together.

Keep separate cans for watering and spraying weedkiller. To differentiate the cans choose a red or metal can or a can with a distinctive shape for weedkiller use only.

Plastic Milk Container Rings can be saved to put around new plants to identify them from weeds.

Plastic Drink Bottles. Cut the top and bottom off larger bottles and use the centre as a protective collar around plants, so they will not be damaged when hoeing.

Always wear sensible shoes when you're gardening and avoid sandals and flip flops, especially when mowing

Thrive is a national charity that has worked with gardeners who have sight impairments, and people who have a range of disabilities, for over 30 years.

  Download Thrive's information leaflet on gardening

Thrive's website is full of top tips and comprehensive advice to ensure that people with low vision can enjoy working in their garden. There is practical information to make most garden jobs easier, advice on how to take care, other useful hints and tips, and notes about which equipment and tools will be particularly helpful. There is also an online shop.

Visit Thrive's website 

Phone Thrive: 0118 988 5688