By Anthony Reardon

With the growing season once again upon us, many one-time gardeners may be longing to get some form of a vegetable garden back into their space, even if they can’t quite manage all the hard physical labor they used to put into it. Luckily, options still exist for these people to adapt their gardening practices to what works with their abilities and still produce a desirable crop.

Oftentimes, the thought of having to kneel, hunch and/or dig when tilling garden soil is enough to send even the most passionate gardeners packing, opting instead for store-bought options for their favorite vegetables.

What these gardeners may not be aware of, however, is that tilling can be optional in the vegetable garden. By opting for no-till gardening practices, soil quality is preserved. The soil aggregates and mycorrhizal networks in the soil are maintained, and that can help with the growing process.

In no-till gardening, gardeners only dig in the location a plant is placed. They add mulch and compost to encourage a healthy soil biome. And, they intentionally plant crops that can address surface compaction, including fall radish, potatoes and sweet potatoes.

For other plants, gardeners seeking to avoid physical digging may consider raised beds. Raised beds are an easy way to preserve the body while gardening.

These beds can easily be very successful when following a few simple guidelines.

Namely, the beds should be large enough to fully support the crops being grown in them, and then some.

A minimum depth of 10-12 inches is desired, no wider than 3 feet for reaching. The beds should also be well drained, allowing the soil to flush out a heavy watering.

Because raised bed soil is contained, it is more likely to accumulate salt and hard water deposits, potentially decreasing its quality.

Adequate drainage helps remove these. Finally, gardeners should remember that, by nature, raised beds are prone to drying out rapidly due to their exposed soil.

Most vegetables require regular, non-fluctuating soil moisture to perform well. Because of this, gardeners should make a point of regularly checking the soil moisture in their raised beds and supplementing it with more water when the top inch of soil has dried.

Whether grown in the ground or in containers, a plethora of gardening tools exist to reduce strain on the body while doing what you love. These include ergonomic hand trowels, shovels and rakes; garden kneelers with handles; rolling garden seats and scooters; electric pruners; 4-wheel wheelbarrows; collapsible, lightweight yard carts; shrink hoses; bucket caddies; strapped harvest baskets; and small-batch soil amendments.

For general protection, wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved gloves, cooling towels, high-SPF sunscreen and fit-over polarized sunglasses can help with enjoying the outdoors without succumbing to the heat. On cooler days, layer up and wear a large, waterproof windbreaker to stay comfortable while tending to urgent tasks.

No matter your circumstances, there are ways to get outside and enjoy the garden without overexertion or risk of injury. The satisfaction you’ve missed is waiting right alongside those fresh vegetables.

Anthony Reardon is the horticulture small farms agent at K-State Extension Johnson County.