Planters, Containers, and Raised Beds for Accessible Gardening

August 1996

Gardening is a source of personal satisfaction, providing aesthetic pleasure and the opportunity for relief from daily stresses. Most gardening is part of the traditional landscape or ground-level plantings, but an increasing number of gardeners are discovering the advantages of gardening in planters, containers, and raised beds. These gardening styles can be adapted to make gardening easier for older gardeners or individuals with physical disabilities. They also are adaptable for gardening in a small backyard, an apartment patio, or on the grounds of a retirement home or hospital. Location and cultural requirements include:

• Full sun or at least six hours of sun a day is recommended for raised planters and containers; eight to ten hours if vegetables are to be grown. If full sun is not available, then choose shade-tolerant plants, such as begonias and impatiens.

• All raised planters and container gardens will need more watering than a standard garden. A water source should be nearby, and the hose should be light, accessible, and easy-to-use for a gardener with limited strength and mobility. It may be worth the investment to install automatic or trickle irrigation systems in permanent planters. Attachments that are of value to the gardener include an on/off valve at the hose end; extension nozzles; water breakers; and easy-to-use, lever-controlled water faucets.

• Fertilizer usually is incorporated into the soil at the time the planter is filled. Later applications are based on normal requirements of the plants.

• Mulching is a must with most of the larger raised planters as it slows the evaporation of water from the bed and helps keep the soil cool for the roots. Mulching is also an excellent weed deterrent. Weed-free organic material is preferred for mulching so that it enriches the soil as it decays.

• Most pest control should be done by hand and without chemicals to avoid the danger presented by working with toxic substances. However, if chemicals are needed, contact your local extension agent for specific recommendations.

Careful observation and prompt action can alleviate most pest problems. If weeds are kept down through mulching and pulling as soon as they are identified, they will not become invasive. Insects can be a big problem with some plants. Make sure all plants are insect-free before planting. Remove by hand any pest that is found. Disease can also be a problem with certain varieties. Use plants that are resistant to problem diseases in the area. If just one portion of the plant is infected, remove and destroy that portion, do not compost. If the whole plant has become excessively damaged, then remove the plant and replace. Only use pesticides if absolutely necessary, and carefully follow the directions for application amounts and frequency.

(Source: Gardening in Raised Beds and Containers for Older Gardeners and Individuals with Physical Disabilities, by Diane Relf, Extension Specialist, Consumer Horticulture. Revised 1994. Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication 426-020. This is a FEE publication. Contact your local Extension agent for the current cost and ordering instructions for this publication.)

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