2008 AgrAbility Articles

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From the WVATS Summer 2008 Newsletter

Accessible Gardening Made Easy

Bale gardens are:

A bale garden consists of bales of hay or straw. Straw provides fewer seeds resulting in fewer weeds. Place the bale on its side lengthwise to make planting easy by parting the straw. Make sure the string is running around each bale. You do not want to place the twine side touching the ground as most twine will fall apart with time.

Planting

Part the stalks by hand or with a shovel to open up an area the size of the root structure of your seedlings. You can also cut out a small section of hay/straw instead. Add some potting soil to the opening and plant your seedlings a little deeper than in a regular dirt garden. The number of plants per bale depends on the mature size of the plants. Two tomato plants or three pepper plants are recommended per bale. Marigolds are natural bug repellents and can be added to each bale.

Water as necessary. It is important not to let the bales dry out between waterings. The bales will dry out quickly in the beginning and may need watering twice a day, but as they decompose they will hold water longer.

One of the advantages of bale gardening is that plants in bales are easily accessible from a wheelchair or walker since they are up off the ground.

Fertilizer

Use liquid fertilizer twice a week for best results. Use a watering can or use an applicator that waters the plants and fertilizes at the same time.

Weeding

If the bales sprout wheat or oat straw, pull out the sprouts or trim them with a pair of scissors.

It is not too late for you to try bale gardening!!

For more information on accessible gardening, call Tammy Hare at 800-841-8436or e-mail thare@hsc.wvu.edu.

From the WVATS Spring 2008 Newsletter

Arthritis & Agriculture Often Go Hand in Hand

Arthritis is the number one chronic disease affecting farmers. Arthritis is an inflammation of a joint that results in swelling, redness, pain and loss of motion. The frequent lifting of heavy objects, repeated use of vibrating machinery or constant bending to perform certain tasks – such as handling bales of hay or lifting boxes of produce – add to the stress on joints and set the stage for arthritis, especially in the weight-bearing joints.

The good news is that arthritis can be managed so that deterioration is slowed and the effects minimized.

Recommended treatments to relieve pain are applications of heat and ice. A warm shower will reduce morning stiffness and an ice pack applied to painful areas often helps to reduce the pain. Range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises and fitness or endurance exercises may be recommended by professionals.

The most difficult part of managing arthritis for farmers may be resting and pacing themselves. Schedule rest breaks at various times throughout the day to conserve energy. Divide the workload among family members or hire help. Unmanaged stress may increase your pain and make it harder to live with arthritis.

Think about how you can simplify a task so that it requires less energy or causes less stress on your joints? Can a different tool or piece of equipment be used to complete the task?

Many easy-to-grip tools are available. Raise or lower a workbench to reduce the need to bend or reach. Keep a stool or chair nearby in the barn or shed so you can rest from time to time.

Assistive devices can help farmers continue their farm operation if they have conditions such as arthritis, stroke, back pain or other conditions that limit their work.

Many farmers with arthritis continue to function very well by taking medication, getting enough rest, pacing themselves, reducing stress, doing prescribed exercises and using assistive devices.

The Arthritis Foundation has developed a booklet, Arthritis and Agriculture, which provides useful information for people with arthritis, and is free from West Virginia AgrAbility. To obtain a copy, call 800-841-8436.

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