Gardening offers profound therapeutic benefits, both in the activity itself and in the harvest it yields. For those of us with mobility challenges, the healing connection to plants becomes even more significant—especially when growing medicinal herbs that can support our wellbeing. Today, I'm sharing my journey of how my accessible raised garden beds were built in order to allow me to nurture a thriving medicinal herb garden despite mobility limitations.

Why Raised Beds Are Game-Changers for Accessibility

When I first started experiencing mobility issues, I thought my gardening days might be behind me. Traditional ground-level gardens require kneeling, bending, and sustained periods of uncomfortable positions that can exacerbate pain and fatigue. The allotment board ruled that I could not make my plot accessible with any hard standings and they were against raised beds as well. So I looked at my home and two small gardens.

Raised beds solve many of my challenges by:

• Eliminating the need to bend to ground level

• Reducing the strain on joints and muscles

• Creating a defined workspace that can be approached from a seated position

• Allowing for better organisation of plants within easy reach

• Providing better soil drainage and control over growing conditions

• Less weeding - great for grip issues - and fewer pests, due to being at height

The raised beds I'll describe can be accessed from a wheelchair, used while seated on a garden stool, or approached standing with minimal bending—making them versatile for various mobility considerations.

Designing Your Accessible Medicinal Herb Garden

Before grabbing your tools, spend some time planning your herb garden with these considerations:

1. Location Assessment

Choose a spot that:

• Receives 6-8 hours of sunlight for most medicinal herbs

• Has a flat, stable surface for safety

• Provides easy access from your home

• Offers proximity to a water source to avoid carrying heavy watering cans

2. Bed Dimensions

The most accessible raised beds follow these general guidelines:

• Height: 30-36 inches from ground level (wheelchair accessible height)

• Width: 24-30 inches maximum (allows reaching center from either side)

• Length: As needed, but 4-6 feet sections are manageable

• Pathways: Minimum 36 inches between beds for wheelchair navigation

3. Material Selection

Consider durability, sustainability, and your budget:

• Cedar or redwood: Naturally rot-resistant, chemical-free, but pricier

• Composite lumber: Long-lasting, recycled materials, moderate cost

• Galvanized metal: Modern look, excellent longevity, mid-range price

• Concrete blocks: Affordable, extremely durable, no construction skills needed

DIY Construction: Step-by-Step

Here's how to build a basic accessible raised bed using cedar boards, I had a local builder put mine together for a very reasonable price, as he was just starting out and below is how he did it:

Materials Needed:

• 2×12 cedar boards (enough for your planned dimensions)

• 4×4 cedar posts for corners

• 3-inch deck screws

• Drill/driver

• Measuring tape and level

• Landscape fabric

• Hardware cloth (to deter burrowing pests)

• High-quality soil mix

• Optional: L-brackets for reinforcement

Assembly Instructions:

1. Prepare the site by removing grass and leveling the ground where your bed will sit

2. Cut your lumber to your planned dimensions. For a 4'×3' bed at 36" high, you'll need:

   • Four 4'×12" boards for the long sides

   • Four 3'×12" boards for the short sides

   • Four 4×4 posts cut to 36" length

3. Construct in layers:

   • Create three or four identical rectangles using the 12" boards

   • Secure each board to the corner posts using deck screws

   • Stack and secure the three or four rectangular frames - I have used four.

4. Add bottom protection:

   • Staple hardware cloth to the bottom frame to prevent pests

   • Layer landscape fabric over the hardware cloth

5. Reinforce as needed:

   • Add L-brackets at corners for additional stability

   • For beds over 4' long, add center supports to prevent bowing

6. Fill with soil:

   • Start by filling the bottom with logs, this saves you on the amount of soil you and compost you need, but also feeds the soil from the bottom up as it decomposes. Plus, its another barrier to burrowing pests.

   • Use a mix of 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% perlite for good drainage

   • Fill in stages, gently tamping down to prevent excessive settling

Ergonomic Enhancements

To make your raised bed even more accessible:

• Add a seating ledge around the perimeter using a 2×6 board - alternatively grab yourself one of these bad boys! https://amzn.to/3EAAwWP

• Install vertical trellises for climbing medicinal plants like hops or passion flower. Here is a very cost effective option https://amzn.to/43h5g9R

• Incorporate tool storage with PVC pipes attached to sides. Alternatively try these hooks attached intermittently along the edges https://amzn.to/4ip65Sd

• Add a drip irrigation system to eliminate heavy watering cans, try this one: https://amzn.to/3XsdYyf

• Use color-coded plant markers for easy identification, try these: https://amzn.to/4hXlj0W

Choosing Medicinal Herbs for Your Accessible Garden

When selecting herbs, consider growth habits and accessibility:

Easy-to-Grow Medicinal Herbs:

Upper Level (Tallest/Back/North side of Bed)

• Echinacea (immune support)

• Valerian (sleep aid)

• Elecampane (respiratory support)

Middle Level

• Calendula (skin healing)

• Holy Basil/Tulsi (adaptogen, stress support)

• Lemon Balm (anxiety, digestive aid)

• Sage (throat, menopausal support)

Front/Edge Level (Shortest/Most Accessible)

• Thyme (respiratory, antimicrobial)

• Chamomile (calming, digestive)

• Mint varieties (digestive, headache relief)

• Oregano (antimicrobial, immune support)

Companion Planting Considerations:

Some medicinal herbs enhance each other's growth while others compete. Consider these pairings:

• Plant chamomile near basil and mint to enhance their essential oil production

• Keep mint contained as it spreads aggressively

• Place sage away from cucumber or rue

• Combine thyme, oregano, and rosemary as Mediterranean herbs with similar needs

Maintenance Tips for Limited Mobility

Make ongoing care manageable with these approaches:

• Mulch heavily to reduce watering and weeding needs

• Use long-handled, lightweight tools specifically designed for seated gardening

• Try these: https://amzn.to/41ELJyF

• Install a timer-based drip irrigation system for automatic watering

• Try this: https://amzn.to/3XsdYyf

• Plant perennial herbs that don't require annual replanting

• Schedule short, frequent gardening sessions rather than exhausting longer ones

• Keep pruners and harvest baskets within reach on a rolling cart

• Try this one, which also serves as a seat: https://amzn.to/4kooiBe

Harvesting and Processing Accommodations

Create an accessible workflow for your medicinal herbs:

1. Harvest during cooler hours when you have the most energy, also morning is when medicinal plants are at their most potent

2. Use ergonomic cutting tools with cushioned handles

3. Set up a processing station at comfortable counter height

4. Invest in a good-quality herb drying rack that can be placed at accessible height

5. Label clearly as you process to avoid confusion

Seasonal Adaptations

Extend your gardening season with these accessible modifications:

• Attach hoop house extensions that can be managed from a seated position

• Install cold frames with props or hydraulic openers for easy ventilation

• Use frost cloth with edge weights rather than pins for winter protection

• Create a rolling plant dolly for containers that need to be moved indoors

Final Thoughts

Creating accessible raised beds for medicinal herbs is transforming my relationship with gardening. Beyond the practical benefits of having healing plants within reach, there's profound empowerment in adapting the environment to suit our needs rather than limiting our passions.

Your accessible herb garden will evolve as you discover what works best for your specific mobility considerations. Start small, adjust as needed, and remember that the therapeutic benefits begin the moment your hands touch the soil—long before the first harvest.

Happy gardening!

This blog post is based on personal experience and general knowledge about accessible gardening and medicinal herbs. Always consult with healthcare providers before using medicinal herbs for treatment, and ensure plants are properly identified before use.