patio ideas for a disabled person

Last post 12-08-2009 11:18 AM by miranda. 15 replies.

• 12/02/2009 05:41 AM

  patiopal Location: My Garden forums Joined on: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 72

  Reply | Contact I hope to allocated a patio garden when relocated to a downstairs apartment. I have quite a lot of movement but tire very easily and couldnt do a lot of heavy work. My body tells me that I will get worse, I do use wheelchair when out and ab out. Initially I hope friends will help me get my 'patch' going but I would love some ideas to make a small patch interesting, lively, a bit wacky (as in a past life was an abstract painter), stuff like designing layout and having planters, water, raised beds and most important, to feel it is a garden and I can do gardening no matter how limited i am. I also love nature and want to draw the birds bees and bugs, and have two chihuahuas. Tall order? any advice very welcome.

• 12/02/2009 03:13 PM	In reply to
  James1664 Location: UK Joined on: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 82	Reply | Contact  I've answered this question for you on your other post.................. Roll on the weekend!

• 12/02/2009 03:35 PM	In reply to
  miranda Location: Oxfordshire Joined on: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 4,072	Reply | Contact  'I've answered this question for you on your other post..................' Which is here: http://mygarden.rhs.org.uk/forums/p/20493/31819.aspx#31819

• 12/02/2009 03:52 PM

  In reply to

  miranda Location: Oxfordshire Joined on: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 4,072

  Reply | Contact This is something I've been thinking about for my father, as his mobility is limited and becoming more so. It sounds like you've already got some good ideas, patiopal, if you're thinking of planters and raised beds and whatnot. Depending on what sort of light your patch gets, select perennial plants that will come back year after year - if you've got plenty of light, things like Echinops ritro,  Achillea millefolium, Rubeckias, Sedums and Heleniums will attract bees and butterflies and look good in winter when frosted. Grasses provide movement and soften edges and will also provide some nesting material for birds. To save on having to spend a lot of time weeding, mulch the beds well with small-chipped bark, which will make it harder for weed seeds to germinate. A good mulch will also mean less watering is needed. The blackbirds might chuck it about a bit when they come looking for worms and insects but it will help to keep your soil healthy. Get yourself some magazines and look at all the pictures and try to visit gardens for ideas. Going to Wisley is a good start. I hope you can find something that suits you well!

• 12/02/2009 07:47 PM

  In reply to

  Phot's-Moll Location: The sunny South coast. Joined on: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 4,542

  Reply | Contact Raised beds sound a great idea if you can get help to construct and fill them. Large pots would be nearly as good, but will require more attention with regard to watering. If you can have more than one raised bed, it might be nice to have one for annuals/bedding plants. If the area is small, then the cost of filling it with pot grown plants wouldn't be too ridiculous and the work involved shouldn't be too tiring. You could also consider growing food plants - tomatoes bought as small plants are very rewarding for example. You could have a tiny cornfield - one packet of mixed seeds sprinkled on to raked soil in spring would give months of interest. Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.

• 14/02/2009 06:53 PM

  In reply to

  patiopal Location: My Garden forums Joined on: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 72

  Reply | Contact Well went for a cuppa at a posh place today in Co. Wicklow and I went into the gardening section. At the back I saw a lot of debris and broken stuff. Found two workers who said I could have what I want. I got a massive ceramic glassed blue pot, it has a very large crack but with care it will be fine even if I put a large plastic pot inside. Also a beautiful roundy reddish/orange tricolour glazed pot too, it was more damaged but I will think of something.I got a few medium size terracotta pots which have either crack or chips off but I think they are usable. When on disability you cannot be too fussy. A lot of broken crock, great for drainage and some large pieces of glazed broken pots, I can DO something with that, I KNOW! There was a terracotta birdbath, a bit more ornate than I would like, they wouldnt give it to me but it was very badly chipped around one edge slightly underneath so if placed where you wouldnt sit staring at it or where that part would not be obvious, I think I will go back and see if they will sell it to me for next to nothing! I was thrilled! xAnn

• 22/03/2009 03:33 PM

  In reply to

  James Gardner Location: Cambridgeshire Joined on: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 29

  Reply | Contact Hi Have a look at the gallery pages on my website. In the figure of eight garden on the top row you will see raised beds and artificial grass. This was done for an elderly lady who cannot do much work herself now. The artificial grass is also used in the play area of the first garden (pic of circular hardwood decks) just click on the link for the pics, it looks pretty convincing and saves on a lot of work mowing. James Gardner

• 22/03/2009 05:01 PM

  In reply to

  patiopal Location: My Garden forums Joined on: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 72

  Reply | Contact Thanks James, I looked at that garden patio you mentioned. Its a bit formal for me. but I like a few things defo. The solid barrier from my neighbour as our walls are VERY low, with a trellis up against it. It is a very nice trellis too. I think too the bricks is what I will have to go for too. As twins with parki cannot afford to trip and do daft things. I really want a water feature. I love the sound of water, I think that is going to be near the seated off area where there will be bright pots in a far corner of the area and the water feature leading down to more natural looking areas. I HAVE to have real grass! my toes MUST touch damp grass! the features too cannot be grand, but simple and stylish and not modern. Just tokens for the eye but not loud and brash. A quirky little gnome is a MUST, its tacky but thats why I want one. It gave my friend who married a giggle when I bought her one for the wedding and she still has it 30yrs on. My mum loved hers when she had dementia only knocked the head off with a golf stick - eventually. I want my very own Gnome!!!

• 05/04/2009 11:13 PM

  In reply to

  patiopal Location: My Garden forums Joined on: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 72

  Reply | Contact Tomorrow I will be told if I am allocated the ground floor apartment which has the garden I was hoping and praying for. I dont know what I will do if I do not get it. Up until now they have being saying that I am only entitled to a one bedroomed flat but I have had many medical support letters so hopefully I will be in luck. I have been fevourishly looking at stuff and books and mags, but twin thinks I may have a hard land if i do not get it. To tell the truth, I will be absolutely GUTTED, and plan to either appeal or stay here until I get a garden, this apartment is a hazard to me and it will help me get more support locally too. Think of me tomorrow and I shall report back. xAnn

• 06/04/2009 07:49 AM	In reply to
  Anemone Location: County Down, Northern Ireland Joined on: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 575	Reply | Contact Best of luck patiopal.  Anemone

• 06/04/2009 04:53 PM

  In reply to

  patiopal Location: My Garden forums Joined on: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 72

  Reply | Contact I have to tell my friends here that I didnt get my garden. I am only to be allocated a one bed 'unit' that is a word for home as in family home, here. they will find storage for the medical stuff like wheelchairs, scooters and physio stuff. I am gutted. Just gutted. Gardens are not a 'need' they are a 'want'. I dont know what to say, I am crying my eyes on on my bed. Hellish life I have had from day one. No garden, no garden... Ann

• 07/04/2009 09:11 AM	In reply to
  Anemone Location: County Down, Northern Ireland Joined on: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 575	Reply | Contact Patiopal I am very sorry.  Anemone

• 07/04/2009 09:51 AM

  In reply to

  Phot's-Moll Location: The sunny South coast. Joined on: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 4,542

  Reply | Contact  I'm so sorry about that. I wonder if it's worth you contacting the local horticultural society to see if someone near you would be able to share their garden or find another way you could become involved in growing things? A friend of mine is in a wheelchair but is still involved with the society and attends the shows and social events as well as editing the newsletter. If you have a gardening friend (or can make one) you could maybe grow seedlings and cuttings on a windowsill for them, in exchange for sitting in their garden with your toes in the real grass. Get the gnome anyway! Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.

• 21/04/2009 10:15 PM

  In reply to

  patiopal Location: My Garden forums Joined on: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 72

  Reply | Contact for all who commiserated. I do have my gnome! I am not giving up and still thrawling all things gardening. the medical people involved in my care are going to appeal but I am not very hopeful but still something tells me that I will get a garden, but I thought that the last time. I am also asking 'TRIVE' to add their spoke on the therapeutic benefits for me who has had a lifelong litany of problems both mental, physical and emotional. At present I am in hospital as I had a crohns flare and they may be thinking of another resection. Again all I can do is be hopeful. Tomorrow will be the deciding day for the doctors. Twin came home for a week and I end here!!! I tell you my friends, I will find my garden. I will oh I will oh I will!!!! xAnn

• 19/06/2009 09:59 PM

  In reply to

  patiopal Location: My Garden forums Joined on: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 72

  Reply | Contact FANTASTIC NEWS! After a awful traumatic fight and a flight to london to destress, i heard on my return that the council have capitulated. they have given me a small bungalow with a very concrete yard, not big but stretches the length which takes in the bedroom window and the sitting room window, that will give an idea. it has a raised garden on the back wall. on top of that i share a communal garden for three people in the front, it has a lot of grass and a gate! yep! and a lot of green around, so real birds! not pigeons. I am in grass heaven!!!! on the day i was to view my PA who takes me out for respite took me to an auction house nearby, i thought of it at the last minute. there i saw a large terracotta stoneware laughing buddha, i rubbed his tum and put reserve. we then went up to see the new place. Immediately i rang auction house and asked to really really bid for Bud for me. I got him!!! I have a patio door from sitting room and Bud will sit on the raised bed directly ahead of door so that when i am there or anywhere Bud will be laughing madly at me and making me smile. But will have bamboo sommut near him and maybe a water barrell with reeds and a mini water lily plant just below him on the ground. I have read though here on a web page not to do too much too soon, so i shall get the feel of it all first, but thats a first sort of idea. My friends who is happy? who is very very very happy? Guess what the name of my place is gona be called '2 The Hoose!' the bungalow to my left is painted a soft pale yellow and the one on right a harsh terracotta, i am thinking of pale lilac and the porch, Lovely wood overhead and posts will be white. how does that sound for starters? NONE of you are getting away from me now!!!! advice will be asked and asked and asked I am dizzy excited. patio pal