Accessible & Ergonomic Garden Tools
Supporting Comfort, Access and Independence in the Garden
Gardening can be an enjoyable and meaningful part of everyday life, but changes in strength, grip, hand control, reach or mobility can make traditional garden tools more difficult to use.
Accessible and ergonomic garden tools are designed to reduce some of these physical demands. Features such as angled handles, non-slip grips, extended shafts and additional forearm support can make gardening tasks more comfortable and accessible.
At ASR Accessible Products, our range of Easi-Grip® garden tools provides different options depending on how and where you garden, helping you find a solution suited to your individual needs and abilities.
Why Garden Tool Design Matters
Traditional garden tools commonly have a straight handle. During activities such as digging and cultivating, this can place the hand and wrist in a less comfortable working position.
Easi-Grip® garden tools use a specially angled handle designed to keep the hand and wrist in a more natural position while working.
The non-slip grip also helps reduce the amount of grip required to control the tool and makes it less likely to twist in the hand in wet or damp conditions.
For people experiencing reduced grip strength, poor hand control or discomfort when using conventional garden tools, these relatively simple design changes can make gardening tasks easier to manage.
Designed to Make Gardening More Accessible
Different people experience different barriers when gardening. Rather than relying on one type of adapted tool, the Easi-Grip® range provides several ways to modify how gardening tasks are performed.
Angled Ergonomic Handles
The angled Easi-Grip® handle helps maintain a more natural hand and wrist position while using the tool, reducing the strain associated with a conventional straight-handled design.
Non-Slip Grip
A non-slip grip means the tool does not require as firm a grip and is less likely to twist in the hand, particularly when working in wet or damp conditions.
Extended Reach
Long Reach garden tools have an extended shaft that allows the user to reach the ground without needing to bend as far.
They can be particularly useful for people gardening from a seated position, including wheelchair users, or for people who find bending difficult.
Additional Forearm Support
For people who require greater support, an Easi-Grip® Arm Support Cuff can be attached to compatible tools.
The cuff allows the strength of the forearm to assist with the gardening activity, taking some of the load away from the hand and wrist. It also keeps the tool connected to the gardener if their grip is released.
Adapt Existing Garden Tools
Easi-Grip® Add-On Handles provide another option for people who already have garden tools they would like to continue using.
The handles can be fitted to tools with shafts up to 50mm in diameter, providing the benefits of an angled ergonomic handle without needing to replace the existing tool.
They can also be fitted to longer-shafted tools such as rakes and hoes. Using two handles positioned at different angles can provide a wider working area while reducing the need for twisting and bending.
Which Garden Tool May Be Right for Me?
The most appropriate garden tool will depend on the gardening task, how you prefer to work and the type of support you require.
If Grip or Hand Control Is Difficult
The standard Easi-Grip® Garden Tools may be a good place to start.
Their angled handles help maintain a natural hand and wrist position, while the non-slip grip reduces the need to grip the tool as firmly.
The range includes:
Trowel – for planting and general digging tasks.
Fork – for loosening and working soil.
Cultivator – for cultivating and breaking up soil.
Weeder – for assisting with weed removal.
If Bending or Reaching the Ground Is Difficult
Consider the Easi-Grip® Long Reach Garden Tools.
The extended shaft provides additional reach, allowing the user to work at ground level from a seated position or with less bending.
The Long Reach range includes:
Long Reach Trowel
Long Reach Fork
Long Reach Cultivator
Long Reach Hoe
These tools retain the ergonomic angled handle and non-slip grip found on the standard Easi-Grip® garden tools.
If You Need More Hand or Wrist Support
Consider adding the Easi-Grip® Arm Support Cuff.
The cuff connects to compatible Easi-Grip® garden tools and allows the forearm to contribute to controlling and supporting the tool.
This can be particularly helpful where hand or wrist strength is limited.
Because the cuff remains attached to the gardener's arm, the tool also remains supported if grip is released rather than falling immediately to the ground.
If You Want to Adapt Tools You Already Own
Consider the Easi-Grip® Add-On Handles.
These handles attach to existing tools with shafts up to 50mm in diameter and provide an angled grip similar to the Easi-Grip® garden tool range.
They can be used with hand tools as well as longer-shafted tools such as hoes and rakes.
The Add-On Handles can also be combined with the Easi-Grip® Arm Support Cuff where additional support is required.
Supporting One-Handed Gardening
Some gardening activities that would ordinarily involve two hands may be adapted using a combination of Easi-Grip® accessories.
The Arm Support Cuff can help stabilise and support the tool using the forearm. When combined with an Add-On Handle, this may allow some activities that would normally require two hands to be completed using one hand.
For example, the Add-On Handle and Arm Support Cuff can be used together on suitable long-handled tools to assist with activities such as sweeping.
The suitability of any setup will depend on the individual, the tool and the activity being performed.
Who May Benefit from Accessible Garden Tools?
Accessible and ergonomic garden tools may be worth considering for people who experience:
- Reduced or weak grip
- Reduced hand or wrist strength
- Poor hand control
- Difficulty bending
- Difficulty reaching ground level
- Difficulty using conventional straight-handled garden tools
- A need to complete some gardening activities using one hand
- Visual impairment where brightly coloured tools may be easier to locate
Different tools and adaptations provide different levels of assistance, so it is important to consider the particular gardening activity as well as the person's individual abilities.
Quick Guide to Choosing an Accessible Garden Tool
I have difficulty gripping conventional garden tools
→ Consider an Easi-Grip® Garden Tool with an angled, non-slip handle - such as trowel.
I find bending or reaching the ground difficult
→ Consider an Easi-Grip® Long Reach Garden Tool - such as the long reach cultivator.
I garden from a seated position
→ Consider the Long Reach range to assist with reaching ground level - such as the long reach fork.
I have very limited hand or wrist strength
→ Consider adding an Arm Support Cuff to a compatible Easi-Grip® tool.
I want to adapt garden tools I already own
→ Consider Easi-Grip® Add-On Handles.
I use one hand for some gardening activities
→ A combination of an Add-On Handle and Arm Support Cuff may help adapt some suitable gardening tasks.
Explore Accessible Garden Tools
Small changes to the design of a garden tool can make a significant difference to how it feels and functions.
Whether you are looking for a more comfortable hand tool, additional reach, support for reduced grip or a way to adapt an existing garden tool, the Easi-Grip® range provides a number of options that can be selected according to the gardening task and individual needs.
Why ASR Accessible Products?
At ASR Accessible Products, we understand that every person's needs are different. We work with Occupational Therapists, Support Coordinators, Plan Managers, carers, and individuals to source practical solutions that support independence and everyday living.
If you're looking for accessible gardening equipment or have a specific requirement that is difficult to source, our team is always happy to help.