Gransnet forums

Gardening

handweeding when unable to get up and down safely

(35 Posts)
Fennel Mon 01-Mar-21 16:57:54

Hope you can understand wink
It's a very small back garden, some grass with a border containing a few pretty perennials which needs tidying up .
We can't find a gardener to do this.
If I kneel, which I used to do, I can't get up again.
How do others cope?
Is there a gadget that helps?

BlueSapphire Sat 13-Mar-21 12:46:26

Meant to say have ordered a garden kneeler, and am going too look at the Fiskars hoe.

BlueSapphire Sat 13-Mar-21 12:41:38

Have just ordered one from A****n.

Callistemon Wed 03-Mar-21 16:45:51

lovebeigecardigans1955 and Fennel
We've got something similar which is good for getting out dandelions and other deep-rooted weeds. It's a Fiskars Xact Weed Puller:
www.fiskars.com/en-gb/gardening/products/lawn-care-tools/xact-weed-puller-1020126
Available from several outlets

Fennel Wed 03-Mar-21 15:19:21

I never thought of a special type of hoe - I've always used a normal garden fork. Though rockery is a different problem.
Feeling virtuous as I've just come in from pruning the roses. also aching.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Wed 03-Mar-21 12:53:37

Sometimes I use a tool called 'Grampa's Weeder' which can be helpful but isn't foolproof. You stand on the side piece and press down on each side of the weed, bring it up and press together. If it's not positioned exactly it can bring up bits of soil instead so is a bit hit and miss and leaves holes behind. I got it ages ago from Lakeland I think but it's fairly good.

Squiffy Wed 03-Mar-21 12:43:18

I use an oscillating hoe, which is brilliant.

Here's a link in case you're interested:

www.amazon.co.uk/The-Oscillating-Stirrup-Hoe-13-5cm/dp/B00JLJ81SY?tag=gransnetforum-21

JackyB Wed 03-Mar-21 07:25:53

Although I could probably get up and down, I've always been lazy about weeding. I loosen the top 6" or so with a fork, then sit on an old plastic stool which the DC used to use when washing their hands and gather in all the weeds around me, only needing to lean over a bit to get at those a bit further away. Then I sit for a bit, then I get up and move the stool along.

midgey Tue 02-Mar-21 20:04:17

I have found the one I was trying to explain....
www.gardening-naturally.com/short-handled-weed-slice?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-d2WuLOS7wIVT9TtCh2ZegwdEAQYBSABEgIup_D_BwE

Whitewavemark2 Tue 02-Mar-21 18:23:49

A small headed hoe would do the job I think. I now use one as my back plays up as well as not being able to get up without a puff.

Grandma11 Tue 02-Mar-21 18:21:22

Try a long handled ‘Helping Hand’ grabber, available from most Disability shops. They have a choice of Grab end types and Lengths, and some are long enough to use whilst seated on a chair or a stool. I use my outdoor one for pulling up bits of weeds that grow around the edge of our block paving, mines one of the original Helping Hand branded type, with the trigger handle and the fine rubber grip end, it also has a rather handy plastic stud sticking up above the gripper that’s handy for poking things out of gaps, or scraping things off the ground.
I’m fairly tall, so l have the full 1metre long version, a bargain at around £20, and no added VAT if you have a disability like you describe.

Fennel Tue 02-Mar-21 17:44:08

Right - now motivated to get out there tomorow, secateurs in hand.
As long as it's not raining.
Starting on the roses first.
And looking online at these gadgets, but I have a lightweight stool which I will try first.

Callistemon Mon 01-Mar-21 23:34:55

You can also buy a long handled small fork, useful if you need to dig a deeper rooted weed out.

Callistemon Mon 01-Mar-21 23:31:17

I have a garden stool which I bought in Lidl years ago but in fact I preferred using my very old hoe, although I did find DH using it to scrape moss and weeds from between brick pavers and he could have wrecked it. hmm

Marydoll Mon 01-Mar-21 20:51:04

I just used one of those garden kneelers today. I can't bend and sat on it to clear the rockery. If I need to kneel down, I just turn it upside down and use the handles to get back up, otherwise I would be stuck.

Fennel Mon 01-Mar-21 20:09:24

I can't start to thank you all for the ideas.
There are obviously ways around my problem.
xx+

Blossoming Mon 01-Mar-21 18:02:41

I cannot kneel. Mr. B bought me a wheeled garden seat that I can scoot along on, with a tray underneath to hold tools.

3dognight Mon 01-Mar-21 17:55:45

Just search 'Long Handled Cultivator' on the Internet.
It is like a three pronged claw on the end of a broom handle.
My husband found one in a skip, brought it home, it is the most useful thing for getting all sorts of hard to reach weeds.
Just this week I have been scratching out nettle roots and couch grass from the raspberry beds.

Greyduster Mon 01-Mar-21 17:45:18

I have the kneeler pictured above. It’s strong, stable, comfortable and the handles are invaluable for helping you get off your knees. You can also turn it the other way up and sit on it.

silverlining48 Mon 01-Mar-21 17:39:58

Have always rather enjoyed weeding but did some the other day and struggled to get up. I have the kneeler stool I bought my dear mum years ago. Suddenly I have become the old lady who struggles to kneel, and get up. It’s a bit much to take in.

shysal Mon 01-Mar-21 17:37:34

I have a kneeler which I find uncomfortable, but do most of my weeding with a stirrup hoe which does a good job.
stirrup hoe

Hetty58 Mon 01-Mar-21 17:30:37

I put the garden fork in next to me - as I know I'll find it difficult to get up from my kneeler pad!

nadateturbe Mon 01-Mar-21 17:26:14

Garden kneeler here too.

winterwhite Mon 01-Mar-21 17:25:22

I can't kneel on any account after two ops on same knee. Fortunately I can bend down to my feet (the sight can't be one for sore eyes ?) but worry about toppling over forwards ?? if I stretch forward or do more than pick up a leaf or two.
Have just bought online a 'long-handled fork for weeding', to be used standing up and intended mainly for people with back problems,. A bit like a hoe with prongs I suppose. Should tackle small annual weeds and plants that seed themselves in the wrong place. We do have a gardener to help with anything tougher, or I zap it,

Nell8 Mon 01-Mar-21 17:19:59

Hello, Fennel Yes, I'm another fan of the garden kneeler. I also use a long handled tool with interchangeable heads e.g. rake, fork, hoe etc.
This year I might experiment with the long handled grabber I used after my hip replacement op. It could be handy for picking up weeds after I've dislodged them with the fork! Anything for an easier life.

midgey Mon 01-Mar-21 17:11:42

There is an amazing hoe. The business end is shaped like an arrow and is sharp. It has a much smaller head than most hoes so I think it might help you. I have searched for a link to show you what I mean but failed, it was on offer in B and Q today but is not on their website!