Gardening engages all of the senses, not just sight. So whether you have a green thumb or hope to develop one, vision loss doesn’t have to stop you.
6 low vision tips for gardening
Here are 6 helpful tips for getting started or back to working in the garden:
- Wrap your garden tool handles with brightly colored tape to make them easier to see in the grass and dirt.
- Raised garden beds clearly mark the boundaries of your garden space.
- Place distinctive-smelling plants in different areas, and use your sense of smell to orient yourself around the garden. For example: citronella plants in your herb garden or lavender in your butterfly garden.
- Use fountains, wind chimes, or other accessories as audio landmarks around the garden.
- Play a radio or music device right where you’re working. That way when you go get something, the sound helps you return to where you were.
- Use technology. Smartphone apps like Picture This, Be My Eyes, and Aira can be helpful for identifying plants.
Support for gardening with vision loss
Connect with others to share gardening experiences and advice. Join Hadley Growers, a monthly discussion group, to hear from gardeners of all levels.
More practical help for gardening with vision loss
If you’re just starting out or are limited in space, container gardening may be the way to go. Find helpful low vision tips in our Container Gardening workshop series.
The workshops in our Labels for Everyday Use series offer helpful ways to label your plants.
The Blind Angel Gardener, Sue Brasel, chats with Hadley about gardening, no matter your level of vision or gardening experience, in this Hadley Presents podcast episode on gardening and vision loss.
In the Hadley Presents podcast episode Losing Vision, Reconnecting to Nature and the Spirit of Giving, hear how Ron Peterson shares his connection with nature by guiding visitors using the four senses besides sight in the Tijuana River Estuary in Southern California.
Hadley’s podcasts are also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, as well as by phone: 847-558-1317.
More questions about gardening and vision impairment? Call us at 800-323-4238 with any questions at all or send an email to [email protected].
How do you feel about gardening with vision loss? Do you have any practical tips to share?