Challenge: A gardening stool able to support a voluptuous gardener.
While my yard is appreciating all of the attention, my knees are very unhappy with me.
I started out kneeling on an old throw rug on the ground.
Knees unhappy.
I switched to sitting on a Rubbermaid washtub, turned upside down.
Knees happy.
Rubbermaid washtub unhappy.
I need something that can support my caboose, but distribute the mass sufficiently that I don't sink down into the dirt. I know one of you must use or know of something suitable for my needs. Help?!
by
debbiedunlap
asked 2 years ago
Yes, I know I spelled voluptuous incorrectly. Have asked staff to correct my senior moment for me. What's in my mind and what comes out of my fingers doesn't always match.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004W430/?tag=tbook-20 Something like this? These are pretty solid stools and they're low and have wheels, so you can move about a little bit with minimal effort.
I'm about to run outside, but this is what I have, and it's perfect. I can kneel on it (in which case I use the sides to get back up), or use it as a bench.
Actually, when I look at that, it's not quite what I have (which does not fold up, and is sturdier), but it's pretty close.
You'll laugh, but when I head up to the PA mountains, I use my grandmother's canning stove pot. I don't think it's much over 12" deep and must hold 8-10 pints sized mason jars. I can wrap my arms around it, so it's not enormous. I flip it upside down and throw a folded towel across the bottom. I can sit on it or put the towel on the ground and lean my body across it. Weeds and huckleberries seem to be so low to the ground.
At home, I use a stool that looks very much like this one. http://www.abledata.com/product_images/images/07A0771.jpg Of course, after 2 hours of sitting, it's a pain to get up!
Actually, both @ereref's rolling stool, and @shrdlu's kneeler would help me.
My veggie garden is raised, so the rolling stool would be great (and I like that I can store my small hand tools in it). I could scooch forward or back, as need be.
The flower gardens across the front of my house are all waaaaaay down on the ground, and the padded kneeler would work better there. [and I like that I can use the "arms" to get myself back up with]
And @lavikinga, I won't laugh at you, because I looked all around my house to find something I could turn upside down and sit on. The Rubbermaid washtub was the sturdiest and ... um ... widest ... thing I could find.
@debbiedunlap: I like the idea of being able to skooch, that is always my frustration with my kneeling pad, I have to get up move it, get back down, when really I just want to keep on going, I was in the habit last spring of laying down a blanket and working until I hit the end of it. Being 'younger' I am really using it to keep my clothes from getting damp more than for cushion but I am getting to the age where I will need help.
@hobbit: I did that with the throw rug at first. I'd go from one edge to the next, trying to avoid having to move it.
While I'm not that old yet, I have discovered that the floor and the ground are a lot further down than they used to be!!
@debbiedunlap: yes that is what I am discovering too, and getting up is harder.
or
or
that will work for the knees.
As far as a stool goes...I can't find a picture but my Mom used a small wooden wire spool. About 2Ft across and about 18in high. When you need to move it, just turn it up on its edge and roll it to the next spot. Works as a small worktable as well. I'll try to find a picture.
http://web.mit.edu/florey/www/images/OneOnSpool.jpg
This is a large version of the spool I'm talking about.
@jumbowoot: Those are all some jumbo kneepads! Actually, when I opened up the flooring kneepads, I thought they were a great idea. Every time I've watched a professional carpet layer, I've marveled that their knees are totally destroyed. I would imagine these would offer max protection.
The spool reminds me of one we had when I was a kid. My mom used a big one, like you have pictured, as a picnic table of sorts out in the yard. Never understood her fascination with the spool. Everything else in the yard/house was "just so," but the hillbilly picnic table tickled her to pieces. I like the idea of reusing/recycling a small spool. However, where do you find something like this? Local electrician?
@bsalusa: Really like the price of this kneeling pad.
@debbiedunlap: I looked around briefly today. No luck.
Seems like I remember a friend of the family that worked for the phone company.
Didn't know there were so many choices. I appreciate everyone's input. Not being an avid gardener prior to this year, I feel more than a bit behind the learning curve. And I can't really afford to "experiment," or buy something without first knowing a bit about its functionality. I like knowing that when I do purchase something, I get the most useful, appropriate item for the job.
You all have been tremendously helpful with all of my gardening questions this past month or so. I've used the knowledge and wisdom offered, and the results have been wonderful so far. My yard is looking SO much better! Thanks so much!!
@jumbowoot: I think my mother got hers from the electric company.
Personally, I'd opt for spending the extra dough on a wooden foot/gardening stool. Something such as this: http://www.runnerduck.com/gstool.htm
I know you probably don't want to built your own, that's just an example. :P Plastic and metal products of this type (low-cost consumer products, at least) just don't last. They are too easily warped. You'd think the metal ones would last, but they are often hollow and fold at the bolts too easily. A well crafted stool made of decent wood will last you a lifetime.
However, they would be impractical to buy on the net, due to the weight. I'd take a look through your phone book for wood-craftsmen. I have a few near me, and they are loaded with such items they've built over the years. You can get some relatively good deals buying unfurnished items from them.
Forgot to include in my previous message:
Before investigating craftsmen, take a look at thrift stores. You can find amazing prices on furniture (such as a stool) that was made before particle board killed everything.
@gregorylikescheapstu: That's a great idea. I suppose in a pinch an old wooden orange crate might work as a bench. Good way to cart stools too.
@debbiedunlap: You know those little half moons that some women get where the top of their thighs meet their buttocks?, Well, if you have privacy in your back yard and the sun is shining in the right direction, weed on your hands and knees while wearing your bathing suit bottoms. Sun gets where you want it and the little smilies disappear.
@lavikinga: hahahahaha Remember to apply sunscreen!
@lavikinga: You always make me laugh out loud!!
If you have a Harbor Freight nearby I suggest trying one of these on for "size" http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91495 supports a fairly ample keester and the all terrain tires do well even in soft clay.
@debbiedunlap: & @hobbit: I'm serious. Works like a charm. I have to be super skinny for me NOT to get them (and that's hard work to get back to "will-you-eat-a-sandwich-or-something weight) and the weeding with the sun on my moon is like magic ;) Of course, I have LOTS of privacy.
@jimeezlady: Whoa! It's a tractor stool! That is SO COOL! It's a butt bucket!
@lavikinga: I'm just afraid if my husband found me weeding in the backyard on my hands and knees, half-moons showing, I'd need a WHOLE LOT of privacy!!
@jimeezlady: Now THAT would fit a voluptuous bottom!!
@debbiedunlap: Wouldn't that be a good thing?
@reemus: Unfortunately, all too well, my friend, all too well.
@jimeezlady: That's totally awesome, and $40 seems like a good deal for something that substantial. Solves the pick-up-put-down problem mentioned earlier.
Question: would that only be good for elevated gardening? My mom spends many hours pulling weeds when the weather is nice, but I'd worry bending over to weed-level in this thing would not be comfortable.
@joshmonkey: I'm pretty tall (5'9") so it works well for me... The seat height is adjustable and the tires are only 10" so you really aren't that far off the ground. The tires are the only thing I've found that won't sink in the soft clay after it rains. I haven't fallen off... yet...LOL
@jimeezlady: I'm seriously considering this for my veggie gardens. Am I too much a glutton for gadgets for wanting both the kneeling gizmo, and a rolling do-hickey?
@debbiedunlap: Are you referring to the kneeling bench I'd spoken of? Trust me, when you've been putting in bedding plants for two hours, having a way to get up is the next best think to sky hooks. The rolling tractor seat was great too, bu I don't think my yard would like it.
@shrdlu: I am referring to your kneeling bench. Getting up is no small task. I like the helpful handles. As I mentioned earlier to @hobbit or @lavikinga, the ground gets further and further down the older I get. And once down, getting back up seems to take more energy and muscles than I ever remember it taking.
@debbiedunlap: I love my kneeling bench. I also have filled gel pads that I used to use when kneeling on cement, but I don't use them much any more. The place I got them from closed when the owner retired, and I've never seen them since. I haven't looked that hard, of course, since I have what I need.
@debbiedunlap: Actually, I'm beginning to wonder if gravity is getting stronger. That could explain why everything seems to be sagging down towards Earth!
Get them both. It's only money. Now if you could only equip it with a cup holder.
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