Heidi Sibert, expert gardener and board member at the Greater Chicago Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, shares her favorite gardening tools and tips

Its fall planting season and what a better way to keep moving than to get out in your garden this month! As an avid gardener I havent let my battle with psoriatic arthritis take controlI continue to move and do the things I love. Today I will offer a few tips on enabling gardening and some of my favorite tools to use.

Brief Overview of Enabling Gardening

• Provides easy accessibility to soil and plants with the use of raised flowerbeds, hanging baskets, lightweight containers, or setting up your garden vertically
• Easy for allincluding wheelchair-bound and kids too!

Tips for Gardening

• Make it a family affair. Examine your to-do list and determine which tasks you can easily do and which tasks you may need assistance with.
• Be kind to your body. Before getting started do some gentle stretches to loosen joints and prevent injury. Try this simple stretch: With your arms straight out in front of you; reach forward as far as you can.
• Practice correct posture. Let your larger/ stronger joints do the work when possible. Instead of using your fingers to lift an object, try using the flat palm of your hand, your forearms or even your elbows. Keep items close to your body as you carry them. Stand or sit up straight while you work, and change positions often.
• Think inside the box. Instead of a traditional flowerbed, try a flower box or a raised flowerbed to eliminate stooping.
• Take frequent breaks. Stop and smell the roses and have a glass of lemonade. Well-earned, frequent breaks allow you to appreciate your gardens beauty, plan your next tasks and get more done before fatigue sets in.

Heidis favorite tools

• Gloves: wear surgical latex gloves rather than traditional garden gloves. Theyre less bulky, which allows for easier grasp on plants, feel the soil and get a better grip on tools.
• Ergonomic tools: Look for tools at garden, hardware and chain stores that allow you to use your whole arm  not just your fingers and wrists. Long-handled tools that allow you to stand, not stoop, and easy-to-grip hand tools are gardeners friends.
• Add easy mobility: sit on a 5-gallon bucket and keep tools inside. The handle on the bucket makes the seat-storage combo easy to move around. Buy a kneeling pad or even a scooter wagon you can sit on while weeding.

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