Adaptive Digging Tools for Gardening
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Don’t let issues like weak grip or arthritis in your hands, back or knees keep you from enjoying gardening. There are a number of adapted tools available. Some have ergonomic designs that allow for easier operation with less stress on the joints. Others have alternate designs for the handles that change the grip direction completely. Add on handles and devices that can attach to the tool shaft can provide additional support and ease bending or twisting while gardening.
1. Mulch Fork and Spade
The ergonomic handle of the Mulch Fork was designed to be used one handed. The handle allows for operating the fork with your wrist straight in line with your elbow and hand. The rest of the short handle follows your forearm and ends around your elbow. The rear end of the handle has a triangle shape that allows for easy handling if you need to use both hands to toss materials. At just under 30 inches long the Mulch Fork is easy to store and transport. If using from a seated position, there is no long handle waving around behind you. Comes with both a spade and fork attachment that can be unscrewed to exchange.
2. Easi Grip Tools
The Easi Grip line of garden tools come in both regular and extended length handles. They are available in sets or as individual tools. The pillar like pistol grip handle and allows you to use the tool while keeping your hand and wrist in line with your forearm, reducing stress on your joints. The Easi Grip line of tools has an adaptable arm cuff that can help secure the tool further up your forearm to allow for additional support and to assist with grip or when using as a one handed garden tool.
3. Curved Handles
Various other tools have ergonomically designed handles that may make it easier for you to garden. The arched design of the Radius Garden line of hand tools might take a bit of getting used to but can relieve stress on both your hand and wrist. Radius Garden also makes shovels with a unique round handle which allows you to position your hands wherever is most comfortable for you.
4. Hand Grips
Adding handles to tools you already own is another option. Most of these add on ergonomic handles can be attached to traditional hand tools that are hiding in your storage shed. Adding hand grips on long shaft tools like spades, edgers, rakes, hoes or brooms allows the user to work in a more upright position, preventing back strain. Made for string trimmers, a D shaped curved handle can provide a large grip surface.
Easi Grip sells some add on handles in a set of two that can also be used with the arm support cuff for increased control and support. Using the cuff and the add on handle together can also assist with one handed gardening.
5. Ergonomic and Unique Designs
Telescoping tools are another option. Although they do not change anything about the manner in which you grip and use the tool, they do allow for gardening with less bending. When gardening from a seated position, telescoping tools can also extend your reach when you need. The tool can still be used in the collapsed position when you don’t need to have a whole lot of handle in your way.
There are a number of other designs to consider if the curved or pistol grip designs don’t work for you. Fiskar makes several different designs that may suit your needs including their Ergo, Big Grip and Softouch tools.
Some tool designers have gone outside the box with new ideas that may just be what you need. Scoop shovels, pointed finger gloves, spoon like scoops, open ended diggers, and claw like hand cultivators.
