The Enabling Gardens

enabling gardenThe Tollgate Enabling garden was inspired by the book “The Enabling Garden” by Gene Rother. This garden design allows individuals who are experiencing various levels of flexibility and mobility challenges to continue to garden.    Elevated containers eliminate the need for excessive reaching, bending, stooping, and kneeling associated with the traditional garden.  Annual plants are best suited for this type of garden, since perennial plantings would require digging in or moving to a sheltered area to protect their roots for the winter.

This garden provides for three types of accessibility:  1) the lower containers allow gardening from a seated position, as from a chair or bench.  2) The higher containers allow a standing position for those who require a walker, cane or other means for support.  The design of these containers also allows the gardener to lean on them for support to assist with balance. 3) The table gardens are of the correct height to allow a wheelchair to slide under, or if constructed in a “U” shape, to be seated and have a comfortable reach to either side.

You can see a brochure with more information about the Enabling Garden HERE

For more information about this garden, check out this video produced by Katie McMaster:

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