I use a cheap plastic step stool/foot stool that has a hand-hold in the center, I think I paid $5 for it. It weighs less than a pound and I just leave it out there.

Mine isn't like that one but I use it every day. I don't think I could continue gardening without it...somewhere on here I posted a picture of mine.

Hi Anney,
I have a plastic little bench similar to the one you ordered. I can't really kneel down, so I never turn it upside down. But I definitely use it right side up.
I wish there were more devices to make things easier for some of us.
Yesterday, I was putting grass around alot of my tomato plants, and I used one of those reacher tools so that I didn't have to lean over so much. It worked great!
Enjoy your bench!

I have one of those things with wheels that you can sit on. I got it on sale last year and forgot about it. Can't kneel or crouch down like I used to so its really going to be a big help.

Catherinet, thanks for mentioning using the reacher tool. I have one and I've used it to move things out of the way when I'm on the tractor, but never thought of using it in the garden.

granite

My kitchen step-stool has worked fine for years if I needed to sit in the garden for time-consuming tasks, but since the top step on mine is only about 12 inches from ground level, every year it's been more and more difficult to get to a standing position from it! BUT, until you reach that point, count yourself lucky! -- sounds like yours works fine.

In the interest of economy, I also looked at several Totes and other storage containers that might be sturdy enough to sit on but finally rejected that idea. The truth is that I'd rather use them for storage or plant containers if I have them -- they take up more ground space, don't fold up, and so are more awkward to handle between rows.

I'm going to have to get some sort of container for tools or veggies harvested that I can keep with it. I think a canvas bag of some sort would do or maybe a child's wagon.

ruthie

I didn't see your post with the bench picture, or I might have done this sooner. Setting out my tomato plants this year was really difficult. I've about reached the arthritis stage where I won't be able to garden unless I can get closer to the plants height-wise for as long as a task takes.

catherinet

I won't be using the bench for kneeling either! Do the legs of yours ever sink into the soil, or are your paths "solid"? I always weed right after rain when the roots are easy to pull, and in fact can hardly pull the weeds under drier conditions. As it is, with my clay soil, I may have to keep a board handy that I can set the bench on so the legs don't sink.

bcskye

Well, pull your forgotten bench out of storage if it will help! I almost went with a wheeled one but thought that unless I had perfectly smooth paths between the beds, it might be more frustrating than just moving a seat.

We got one of those for my grandfather before we bought him the scooters. As you get up there in age, it's an invalueable tool

-anney-
Hi, my wife bought one of those and I thought "Man, that's really not necessary" until I tried it. It's a great investment and ever so comfortable. I wish my arms were two or three feet longer though, weeds aren't fun.

I use mine for kneeling too. My knees can't take it otherwise, and the handles are useful for pushing up. I'm also getting arthritis, so anything I can do to spare my joints really helps. I certainly don't intend to stop gardening!

I have one I got from Lee Valley tools. It's really sturdy, and I love that they fold up for storage.

The ground keeps getting further and further down! I can't say exactly why I can't get up and down.........I guess its a total system failure. haha
I tried using Rubbermaid containers in the backyard for veggies, but they didn't work out so well. You really need the soil to come in contact with the worms and the other soil microbes, and I didn't want to use fake soil.
I dream of a waist-high raised bed, but it needs to be soil all the way down to the ground.......which is a ton of soil (or more!).
Anney.....my stool is plastic and has pretty thick sides, but if the soil is soft, it can sink. I think a small board under yours is what you'll need.
Last year, when I was having alot of leg pain and needed physical therapy, I got into using one of those big rubber exercise balls. I started thinking that a slightly smaller one would work great outside. Its easy to sit on them, and then just glide forward to where you're working.
I saw a smaller one at Target (its called "hoppity ball") with a rubber handle on it and thought that would work great. However, when I got it home and blew it up, it was so small that I couldn't even get down to it! So I will continue my search for the bouncy ball that can handle an adult's weight, and be just the right size.
As to the reacher tool.........I have about 6 of them! I just wish they made them in a professional grade.
I use mine for so many different things. I used one to pick up small branches in the yard, reach things up high in my chicken coop, reach things in my water garden. I even used one once to try to catch a snake. haha
I even use them to pick tomatoes through my wire cages too. Romas seem to grow so low down, and fall to the ground easily.
Can you tell I love those things!?
Anything that helps us continue to garden after our bodies start failing us is a good thing!
Here's another tip if you have trouble leaning over for lanting alot of seed.......I got a section of PVC pipe (about 3-4' long), 1" diameter, and if I'm having more trouble than usual leaning over, I use that pipe to drop seeds through, in my rows of beans. It places the seed exactly where you want it.
Anney.....I'm really glad you started this subject!

catherinet, those are all excellent ideas. Thank you also for the info.