Gardening with a disability....

 It'll be exactly a year ago in a couple days that I had shoulder surgery. It went well, but it's a long recovery. I didn't get a lot of heavy-duty gardening done last summer. I still have pain if I over-do it.


I have always had a cloth wheelbarrow. I love these and was working on my second one before I had my surgery. They are much lighter than a metal wheelbarrow and I love how they fold up to take up less room when not in use.

But I knew this wouldn't work for me because of my surgery, due to the fact that you have to PUSH this and it was just too heavy even before I loaded it up with gardening "stuff".

                                  
                                                    

I checked out WalMart.com to see what alternatives they might have and saw the little plastic cart above. It is much lighter than my cloth wheelbarrow.

I loved the idea of it because it looked like something I could PULL, rather than push. It holds a ton of material. It would work for taking out my garbage, too, which is always hard on my arms, especially because I change my kitties' litter every week and this is especially heavy for me.

I ordered the cart and it came in 2 days. All I had to do was screw the handle onto the cart.

I have to say I absolutely LOVE this cart. It holds a ton of material and allows me to do my garbage so much easier. Pulling it behind me is so much easier on my arms and shoulders.

                                                                                       

I get no money for this post - I just want to recommend this little cart if you struggle from any kind of disabling problem such as arthritis or something similar to my issues. I just went on WalMart.com and these carts are $10.00 off right now! The link is below if you are interested. And what a great gift for a gardener you know that struggles with their own physical issues.

                                      


https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=suncoast%20lawn%20cart

Happy pain-free gardening my friends!
~Ann
libbylottie@yahoo.com

Something hidden will manifest itself to us....

“A waiting person is a patient person. The word patience means the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us.” BrainyQuotes

This quote is AWESOME! Isn't that just what gardening is all about? Something hidden - though hidden, it's working feverishly to manifest itself. When the time is right?

The above two photos show that patience is rewarded. I planted the two rhododendrons two years ago. Last year neither one had a single bloom. I was sad to think they would never bloom. The first one is a gorgeous raspberry color, and the bottom one is white! I'm so glad we all hung in!

Another happy surprise is the return of this beautiful dianthus. Beside it is a black-eyed Susan also from last year, looking very healthy. I love these because I just pull up a stray runner from my daughter's huge clumps and stick them in the pots. They'll look weepy for a while, but will eventually perk up and start growing well.

I must share with you my daughter Erin's rhododendron....just exquisite! This is out in East Central Pennsylvania.

I hope your spring awakening was a good one!

Happy gardening, friends!

~Ann