Ergonomic Tools in the Garden

(Courtesy: Pixabay)

Written collaboratively by Sara Ogan, SDSU Extension Horticulture Assistant; Leacey Brown; and Prairey Walkling.

As the saying goes “use the right tool to do the job right.” Physical limitations might prevent your or your loved ones from participating in a much-loved, beneficial, and therapeutic hobby like gardening. The right tool can make all the difference.

Thankfully, the gardening industry has embraced ergonomic design for tools. Ergonomics is an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most-efficiently and safely.

Benefits of Ergonomic Tools

Who can benefit from ergonomic tools? Everyone! Children, older people, and anyone with arthritis or other physical disabilities would benefit from lightweight tools that are easy to hold and comfortable to grip. Ergonomic tools may also help reduce the wear and tear on the body because they are supposed to reduce body strain and repetitive movements that damage the body over time.

Replace hard-to-hold, squeeze-trigger nozzles (Figure 1) on hoses with nozzles that have large push levers (Figure 2) to produce continuous water flow. Look for large grips or tools that have upright handles to keep the hand and wrist at a natural angle. Telescoping tools will help you stand on the ground in a comfortable position. When you do need to get down in the soil, benches and foam mats are necessary for comfort.