Hobbies with low vision: gardening
Gardening is one of the best hobbies there is for someone with sight loss as it can be as simple or as complex as you like. Even if you don’t have a garden of your own, the joy of a few pots of colour or a handful of home-grown herbs, can be a big boost.
With a bit of thought, you can fill your space with colours bright enough for you to see, or with beautiful scents and textures. Growing your own fruit and veg can also be incredibly satisfying. On this page, we share simple techniques to get you started.
How I grow my own veg
After losing his sight due to glaucoma, Andy wanted a new hobby that could support his family.
"Gardening is an activity you don't have to rush - it's something I can do in my own time. I grow my crops in the greenhouse or in raised beds as this makes them easier to access. I group the different crops together so that I know where each vegetable is, and I use labels written as largely as possible.
I try to grow plants which are quite big and have fairly large fruits and flowers to make it easier. Last year, I planted cherry tomatoes but I won’t do that again as I kept standing on them! I mow my lawn by using markers placed at the borders that I can aim towards, so I can cut the grass in straight lines.”
Andy's gardening tips
Tending to crops or plants in a greenhouse or in raised beds may be easier to manage.
Grouping your crops or plants together will help you to remember where they are.
Using large labels or labels in different colours can help you identify your different plants.
It can be easier to handle big crops like courgettes and potatoes, rather than small fruits like cherry tomatoes.
Using brightly coloured markers when mowing the lawn can help you cut the grass in straight lines.
More gardening tips
It can be helpful to buy gardening tools and pots in bright colours that stand out. It’s also a good idea to go for flowers or fruits that have bright or contrasting colours.
Put things where you can find them - not just your tools, but your flowers and plants too. Group plants together and mark plants with fluorescent golf balls so you know where to water and where to weed.
Stuck to a biodegradable cloth, these seeds can be much easier to handle and space. You can get seed tapes in various shapes and sizes and even with mixes of vegetables or flowers on the same tape.
Take extra care
Without the use of your sight, it’s far easier to injure yourself on gardening tools. Here are just some of simple ways to help prevent accidents:
If you’re using canes to support your plants, always pop a small plant pot or cap on the top.
Keeping all your tools together in a bucket, pointed downwards, will help prevent accidents.
Always wear gloves to protect your hands, even if you're just pulling out a few weeds.
As much as possible, keeping everything clean and tidy will help you avoid accidents.
Read more
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