Your tips
"I found planting much easier using a bulb planter. Not much strength is needed, and they are lightweight next to some trowels." - Participant, Thrive Just 30! Initiative
There are tools and equipment available that may make gardening easier and more comfortable if you have heart disease.
You might not need any new tools or equipment for your garden.
If you are finding anything tricky, there are plenty of alternatives that may help.
Try tools before buying if possible.
An ergonomic easy grip hand tool
Lightweight tools
Some gardening tools can be quite heavy to handle. Lightweight versions can help reduce possible strain.
Extendable / telescopic tools
Tools that extend can be used sitting or standing. They help you avoid overreaching.
Ergonomic tools
You can find ergonomic versions of many garden tools, particularly hand tools. Many of these have handles designed to reduce strain, making them more comfortable to use.
Search for ergonomic garden tools online
You can also buy add on handles that help make the tools you have more ergonomic. These can be combined with arm support cuffs to keep things steady.
General gardening equipment
- Lightweight expanding compost bricks. Saves carrying heavy bags of compost
- Kneeler seat with handles. Takes pressure off joints when working at ground level and can also be used as a seat.
Tools to help move things
- Garden cart with seat. This specialist wheeled item allows you to load up with tools, then work from a seated position
- Wheeled garden caddy. May be easier to transport debris than a regular bucket or container.
- Garden tool belt. For organizing and transporting smaller tools.
A bulb planter is used to create a planting hole
If you are doing specific activities, you may find some of these tools and equipment easiest to use.
Digging tools
- Lightweight border fork. A border fork is slightly smaller and lighter than a traditional garden fork.
- Lightweight long-handled spade. May be the most comfortable type to dig with.
- Back saving tool grip. Attach to any long-handled tool to reduce bending.
Seed sowing & planting out
- Bulb planter. Dig holes for bulbs and smaller plants using less energy than with a spade or trowel. You can find long-handled versions if you want to avoid bending
Watering tools
- Expanding lightweight hose. Lighter to use than a regular hose.
- Water butt(s) and standpipes. Place water butts and standpipes at convenient spots around the garden. This reduces how far you need to walk to collect water. Water butts are also good for the environment
- Watering lance. Useful for reaching hanging baskets or wide beds and borders without strain
Pruning tools
- Garden snapper / long-handled pruner. A long handle avoids climbing ladders.
- Telescopic loppers. This is a two-handled tool that can help you prune without overreaching.
- Cut and hold secateurs. These have a gripping device that locks onto and holds plant stems. They stop pruned material falling to the ground, making it easier to dispose of.
Mowing & edging tools
- Lightweight electric or battery-powered lawnmower
- Robot lawn mower. Good for small lawns. The technology has improved, and these can now produce a decent all over mow. As your strength grows, you may feel more able to mow the lawn yourself
- Lightweight edging shears
- Grass strimmer. Allows you to edge the lawn from a standing position
Tools for clearing and tidying
- Leaf rake. Choose a lightweight version for clearing leaves and debris from the garden.
- Battery powered leaf blower
- Lightweight garden broom
- Litter picker. Allows you to collect debris without bending via the push of a button.
Tools for weeding
Sometimes you can pull out weeds by hand. For trickier weeds, you could try:
- Lightweight hand trowel.
- If you stand to weed, look for a lightweight hoe.
- If your garden has lots of weeds with deep roots, a weed puller may be useful
Related content
Gardening and heart disease
If you have heart disease, gardening and time in nature can help support your health and wellbeing. Discover the potential benefits and ways to adapt your garden to suit you.
