Accessible Vegetables
One of the pure joys of summer is harvesting fresh vegetables. Today
I’m at my friend John’s taking a look at his accessible vegetable garden.
Sometimes physical limitations can interfere with the basic enjoyment of the
vegetable garden. The first things you notice in John’s garden are the
raised planters. About two and half feet high they really bring the garden
up to you. John has added boards for seating areas while working the
raised beds, or just plain visiting. Growing in these raised beds are
a variety commonly grown vegetables. Here cucumbers scramble up and around
a fence trellis, making harvest easier. Red potatoes are harvested without
having to bend down to the ground. In the center of the garden is the
tower bed where pineapple sage and mandevilla vine will attract butterflies
and hummingbirds. Irrigation is so vital for a successful harvest. John
is growing tomatoes in sub irrigating containers on this bench and trellis
structure. Yellow squash are also growing in these containers. Each
sub irrigated container has its own water faucet, which eliminates having to
move a hose around the garden. The only garden tools John needs are a
small set made for children.
A vegetable garden can be therapeutic for many, but with a few modifications
everyone can enjoy it. I’m Gary Bachman for Southern Gardening.