Lancaster farming. (Lancaster, Pa., etc.) 1955-current, May 27, 1995, Image 41
Outdoor gardening can be therapeutic for the healthy or the disabled. The simple activity of weeding can strengthen people physically as well as mentally. One of the most poignant memor ies of my childhood is helping elderly neighbors weed and tend to their garden chores. Laboring together in the sun-warmed dirt brought not just the rewards of more exercise but the larger les sons of how to care for living things. I’ve learned too that for many “older” gardeners physical limita tion does not mean abandoning the garden. Healthy gardening means experiencing the pleasant garden sensations of smell, sight, touch, taste and often sound. Here are suggestions provided by a book entitled: "Backyards and The World’s Most Important Part It could be any part. Because the most important part is the one you need right now. Don’t be frustrated with unnecessary down time. Get your fertilizer application equipment up and running as fast as possible with quality parts, speedy service and fair pricing from Stoltzfus. Equipment and Parts for: Spreaders Truck Spreaders Spreader / Tender Tenders Loaders Blenders Conveyors Sprayers Post-emerge Sprayers Truck-Mount Sprayers Truck Chassis Air Spreaders Air Sprayers Tanks Pumps Valves Rate Controllers Nozzles Foam Markers Sprayer Accessories Call today for the world’s most *■ OAA_D important fertilizer equipment and J ■ parts - the ones you need right now. Morgan Way, P.0.80x 527, Morgantown, PA 19543 Butterflies: Ways to Include Chil dren with Disabilities in Outdoor Activities" by Doreen Greenstein. The key to making gardens ac cessible to all ages with or without a handicap is organizing the space to mesh with the physical limita tions of the gardener. Proximity to the house so it’s easy to get to and fro is the first considera tion. Integrating the plot with the rest of the family garden, so everybody can work together, is the second. For adults and children who use wheelchairs, make a path that leads to the garden and to wher ever tools are stored. It should be, at least 36 inches wide. A 60-inch in diameter space is needed for wheelchair turn-arounds. Form the path with two rows of scrap lumber (spacing the rows to match AG CHEMICAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT Stoltzfus, Willmar (1.5 ton to 15 ton) Stoltzfus, Willmar (10 ton to 22 ton) Stoltzfus, Willmar (5 to 8 ton) Willmar (6 to 24 ton) Willmar (20 to 36 cf buckets) R & R, Speed King R & R, Speed King Agrotec, Jacto Willmar Air Ride Precision, AgChem (slip-in) Stahly Overum Tive Willmar, Spray Air Snyder, Ace, Mid-State Hypro, Ace, Defco, Shurflo KZ, Banjo, Precision Mid-Tech, Raven, Micro-TVak, DICKEY-john Tee Jet, Lurnjark, Delavan RHS, Richway, AgChem Strainers, pressure gauges, solenoids, nozzle bodies the distance between the wheels of the chair) or with plywood sheets, conveyor belting, or any material that provides a smooth surface. The traditional raised bed where soil is built up inside a wooden frame (often made from stacks of railroad ties) —can offer additional reach to those in wheel chairs. For others, elevating the garden to waist level works best. A homemade planting table, which allows a wheelchair to slide underneath the table, makes it comfortable to work the soil in a seated position. Seeds or seedlings are planted in large plastic dish" pans with holes drilled for drain age. Purchase extra large pans at restaurant supply stores. Five-gallon plastic food storage buckets hung from the sides of the planting table (again with holes drilled for drainage) make ideal containers for growing herbs. Cover protruding nails with a slit tennis ball. Smaller raised beds made of stacks of tires bolted together, even window boxes attached to a porch or deck railing, make work able miniature gardens. Old wooden barrels can be used to grow strawberries, tomatoes, and vine crops. Vegetables can also be grown in plastic trash bags set out on an old picnic table or bench. Choose plants carefully for maximum success. Consider the STOLTZFUS Precision Safety Equipment Masks Repirators Spill response kits Decontamination kits Gloves Goggles TVvek suits Buie Necessitie* Bearings Bushings Hydraulics: Pumps Motors Hoses Cylinders Couplings PTO units and shafts Universal Gear boxes Spindles Sprockets Roller Chain Lancaster Firming, Saturday, May 27, 1995-B5 size of seeds or transplants (big ones are easier for weak hands to manage) as well as the garden’s location. Seed tape is easier to handle for lettuce and other vege tables where the loose seeds are fine. Check varieties. Certain ones do better in containers; ask for re commendations at your local nur sery or county extension office. Dwarf fruit trees can be pruned or trellised so the fruit is within easy reach. Vining varieties also make for easier picking. Of course, avoid all poisonous plants, patti- Food Service Sanitation Course LEESPORT (Berks Co.)—The National Restaurant Association Applied Food Service Sanitation Certification Course is planned for Monday, June 12 and 19 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and on June 26th from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon. The two and a half day course will be held at Berks County Agricultural Center. Lunch will be provided on the full days. The third day will end upon completion of the National Restaurant Certification Examination. BUILDING & REMODELING FOR— DAIRY RESIDENTIAL SWINE POLE BUILDINGS BEEF STORAGE ® Featuring I i 1 • Solid one-piece cast-iron bowl Bit P • Coated with Baked On Top Grade Polyester fNH | TGIC Powder IS" n - Smoother finish stays cleaner g CM • more durable than paint 9 BnJ -- Chip resistant ra Bfl • Stainless steel nose pan Be S • Improved brass valve assembly fNB g - Softer washer for better seal S' g - Lighter spring for less required pressure g - Approx. 1.3 gpm at 40 psi 9 i\J • Plastic plug and smaller water chamber for |j ag frost protection t ' {js H • 3/4” top and bottom water inlets INI g • Screen on valve water filtration S" | PAUL B. ZIMMERMAN, INC. S 295 Woodcorner Rd. Houra (ji I LltltZ, PA 17543-9165 Mon. Thru Frl. M I 1 Mile West of Hphrata 7to 5 S’ | 717-738-7365 s.t.7ton | | CaN or Write For AddWonolMonnotton And Your NwrattOoil* § cularly those with toxic sub stances in the flowers. Those who arc vision impaired often enjoy fragrant plants includ ing aromatic herbs and flowers Consider texture, too. There’s a remarkable diversity in feel of leaf and stalk. Todng tools around is a hassle. Bags and buckets of various shapes, sizes, and materials can be attached by Velcro to a wheelchair or walker, keeping paraphernalia easily within reach. Registration will be on a first come, first-serve basis. Course will require reading of textbook and independent study. Cost for the course is $B5. Registration is requested and is due on or before June 3. Please send a check made payable to Berks County Extension Special Account. Mail to: Food Service Course, Berks County Coopera tive Extension, Berks County Ag Center, PO Box 520, Lecspc.t, PA 19533-0520. Please include your name, address and phone number. KEN CLUGSTON (717) 665-6775 CRAFT-BELT CONSTRUCTION INC. FARM-HOME BUILDING 1242 Breneman Road MANHEIM, PA 17545 PH: (717) 665-4372