sowing seeds with arthritic hands

[sammason]

A neighbour told me that she's started using a seed dispenser to sow her carrots. It frees her from the pain that attacks the arthritic base of her thumb if she sows small seeds using thumb and forefinger. I don't know exactly what device she's using, and I'm lucky enough not to have arthritis, but I found this which might be suitable.

Comments

[sarawr]

That's a really good tip for those of us with arthritic hands. Thank you.

[angelchrome]

I'd like to test drive the Oxo Good Grips garden tools that are available now. I don't know how they rank as garden tools, but the rest of the Good Grips stuff (mostly for kitchens) is pretty awesome in terms of having a manageable handle for users who've lost hand dexterity.

[bailey36]

sounds like good advice to me.

[bailey36]

and here they are on this side of the pond http://www.amazon.com/Dial-Seed-Sower-Save-Money/dp/B000VBMVCI

[squid_ink]

just wanted to mention. .. I used to know a gardener who had ALOT of trouble with her hands, early one spring I made seed tape as a gift. She was over the moon about it :)

sadly, she no longer gardens, but thought I'd mention it here as a possible DIY pick me up gift for someone. Store bought seed tapes always have the most boring seeds in them anyway, and I always have waaay too many seeds.

[wowomom]

That's really neat!

[momomom]

I made seed tapes for my spring onions and carrots this year but I planted them right away.

Do you know if there are problems with getting the seeds wet with the flour paste, then letting them dry again for storage?

[yesididit]

i recommend you NOT use one like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Hirts-Mini-Seedmaster-Seed-Planter/dp/B001I49MJ2

i tried it and if you arent extremely careful and nitpicky it crushes the seed when you push the plunger down. the 'dial' one you highlighted looks pretty nice!

also, here are directions for making your own seed tape using newspaper, flour, water, and seeds http://community.livejournal.com/gardening/2826101.html