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Tony blind gardener forest planter
Some changes to your garden may make it easier to manage and enjoy. Find advice and tips here, from layout and lawns to plants and raised beds.

Adapting your garden doesn't have to mean big, expensive changes. You may just want to make some little adjustments, like using pots and containers more. Or, if it's right for you and you're in a position to, you may decide to make some bigger changes.

We look at lots of different options here. What you choose to do is about what's best for you and your garden.

Alternative sources of information

As well as our articles in Get Gardening, we have a range of leaflets, fact sheets and books. Some are free and some have a small cost.

Most are available in a range of formats, including large print, audio CD and Braille versions. Find them here.

Shape and layout

If your garden has straight paths and flower borders, that may easiest to manage.

Different landmarks around the garden can be great to help find your way around. Shrubs or trees, scented or tactile plants, items such as benches, and sound – from rustling plants, running water, or wind chimes, can all help you find your way.

Paths

Level paths with a surface that has good grip are safer and allow you to do things faster.

Where your paths change direction, you could mark this with a change in texture or colour. You could also add a marker like an ornament.

You could highlight path edges with white paint. If the path is by a flower border, you could grow yellow flowers like primroses at the front of the border so they are clear to see.

You could edge your flower borders with a low kerb. This will help keep soil in and stop it spilling onto any paths. This is helpful if you use a cane.

If you use a wheelchair or walking aid, paths that are wide enough for you to travel on with ample turning room will allow you to get into the garden.

Ramps and steps

If you garden has changes in level, a ramp is helpful. Ramps tend to be easier to manage than steps.

Both steps and ramps are easier to use if there is a sturdy handrail alongside. You could paint this a bright colour so it stands out.

Lawns

Smaller lawns are more manageable than bigger ones. A rectangle shape with straight edges and a path down one side is the simplest to mow.

If you have a big lawn, you could reduce the size by adding paved or gravel areas. You could place pots and containers here.

Ponds and water

Ponds are great for wildlife, but looking after a pond can involve heavy jobs like clearing weed. If you want one, a small raised pond might be easier to maintain. You can also enjoy it from a sitting position.

A nice alternative to a pond is a low maintenance water feature. This will allow you to enjoy the sound of flowing water.

Easy distances

You can make it easier to get gardening if you are able to do tasks close to the house or wherever you keep your gardening equipment.

This might mean having a table and chairs near the back door, along with a collection of containers that are easy to access.

When choosing plants, first go for plants that make you happy!

When it comes to plant colours, what is most visible may be different for every person. Some people find they are able to see yellow, white and blue flowers for longer than other colours. Explore what is best for you.

When growing food produce, bright colours may also be easier to see. Yellow tomatoes and courgettes, pumpkins and patty pan squash are examples.

You might find pale colour flowers beside a dark shrub or fence stand out more.

Some plants offer additional sensory appeal. Lambs ear is pleasant to touch. Grasses offer a lovely swish. Lavender attracts the hum of bees.

There are plenty of plants that have a wonderful scent. Roses, honeysuckle, orange blossom, lavender, viburnum and sweet peas are just a few you might like to try.

You could plant in blocks or lines. This will make it easier to identify plants and may make more of a colour or scent impact.

Growing low maintenance plants can make gardening easier. Some plants, for example, need less water. Lavender, sedum and grasses are all good choices.

Having plants that offer good ground cover in beds and borders can reduce weeds. Hardy geraniums, heuchera, heather or spreading herbs like thyme are all good options.

Hedges are great for screening and for wildlife, but can be high maintenance. Instead, you could have a wall or fence with climbing plants going across.

Raised beds and planters

Some people prefer gardening in raised beds or elevated planters. These bring the soil level higher, which can make it easier to access. They also make a number of activities, such as digging and weeding, easier to do. Many activities can be done by hand, instead of needing tools.

You could also grow plants in smaller containers. You may be able to plant these up while seated at a table.

No dig method

Using the ‘no dig’ garden method can make beds and borders easier to manage. The basic idea is that you don’t disturb the soil by digging. Instead, you add a really good layer of mulch and let the worms and other soil life do the rest.

An alternative to this is laying weed control fabric over beds and borders, then planting through slits in the material. This also reduces the need to weed.

Useful tools and equipment

Think about what activities you like to do and plan what will make it easier for you. This could be as simple as having a kneeler seat with handles to support your knees, or a garden stool to sit and take breaks.

To help guide you around the garden, equipment that produces sound can be helpful, like a small radio left playing or a sound beacon.

We have been sent many helpful tips from gardeners who are blind or have vision loss. Find a selection here.

“I had some ‘trippy-uppy’ paving flags which were dealt with and I had hazards at eye level removed. I put a garden chair under my pear tree to remind me to give it a wide berth when I’m passing in a hurry.”

“I placed stepping stones down my gravel path. I can follow the stepping stone path that I can feel through my feet.”

“My lawn has a path leading to it through a rose arch. There are two clothes lines that lead to the arch, one of which passes through the arch. So I have a means of finding my way around.”

“I choose flowers that are bright, particularly white and yellow as I can see these easier – for example Rudbeckias and light leaved plants like variegated buddleia.”

“I have increased the number of plants that have a strong scent, for example orange blossom, hyacinths, narcissus. I have sweet peas in my vegetable patch.”

“Our raised beds are all painted in different colours and, as I know what is planted in each one, I can always find the plants that I want.”

"I find sowing seeds straight into small pots less fiddly than sowing into seeds trays then pricking out."

“I would also say to other blind people – don’t worry if something doesn’t work out, it might be nature’s fault, not yours, and by trying again you will probably succeed with next years’ plants.”

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