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Fri, Mar 4, 11 at 9:28
| Because I have developed arthritis in my knees in the last year I am trying to get my beds in such good shape that a trowel will be the only tool I need. Last year was my first year gardening at this house and when my knees went bad I just planted without preparing the bed properly. Last weekend I took off all the pine straw mulch and covered the bed with shredded leaves. Next Sat I will spread a large load of compost from the city. I have some things from last year coming up-lambs ears, monarda and sedum.
Should I pot them up and replant? lift them up higher? just work around them? My concern is if I raise the level of soil around them they may rot. What do you guys think? I am really in zone 7 not 8. (I am unable to update my settings) Please give advice... Linda Jo |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by gardengal48 PNW zone 8 (My Page) on Fri, Mar 4, 11 at 10:45
| You could leave them in place and work around them. The leaves and compost will only add a temporary increase in height to the soil level. Once they decompose, they will shrink significantly in volume and you won't even notice any increase in height. Alternately, if it's just a few plants involved, you can lift them out temporarily while you prepare the beds and then replant. It's really your choice :-) I can sympathize with you re: the arthritis. I also have arthritic knees and it does complicate gardening somewhat. If I kneel, they seize up and lock and I can't get back up easily so I do all my gardening bending over. And that's not helping my aging back much, either :-) Ahhhh, the many joys of getting older!! |
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| As always, gardengal48, has a complete & correct answer. I was wondering(mainly because I will need this someday) if flagstone or pavers between the beds make it easy to use a low seat to work in the beds. |
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| Thanks for the great answer! I think I will leave the plants since monarda and sedum seem to be stunted when I transplant them. Last year I bought a "grasshopper" roling seat from Target and I could sit on that for the edges. I also have a kneeling bench but I can't kneel anymore. My beds weren't very full so I rolled into them to plant, weed etc. I know this will compact soil so I don't want to do that this year. Pavers are a good idea and could be placed inside the bed here and there to stand on. My new husband has just figured out that I am going to do it anyway so stop protesting and HELP ME! Thanks ladies. |
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