Table top question for gardener using a walker

My husband wants to build a small table top box as a surprise for his mother who lives in another state. She has had two strokes and uses a walker. Balance is an issue for her, but she manages fairly well otherwise.

He's also thinking about making a small box to place on the ground for tomatoes and cucumbers. Her family who live nearby could help her get them started growing on a trellis. He thinks she would like to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, flowers, and swiss chard.

Any suggestions on what to set the table top box on? Would sawhorses be stable enough if she needed to grab on to the box to steady herself? Or should we make or buy some sort of table? How many drainage holes should be drilled in the plywood bottom?

We're thinking a 1' x 4' box would be easier for her to work while reaching over her walker, since it will have to be located near her house and she will only be able to access one side of it.

Does anyone have experience to share in this area?
Thanks.

I would think saw horse legs would get in the way of both feet and walker. Box could be secured to the house. (everybody has opinions about putting screw holes in their siding-it's just an option). I'm thinking you'll need a table or cabinet with straight legs/sides. It could be fastened to your deck or ground, and the box could be fastened to it. one quarter inch hole per square plus holes in the corners. Once the box is set up, see where the low side is and add a couple extra holes there.

If you search the forum for 'table top', there are threads with more ideas on how to get boxes off the ground.

I don't have any suggestions on the building, just wanted to say how wonderful of your husband! The garden box might be a real treasure for her and give her some real joy.

My dad builds them for other people using cedar fencing cut into two - 2' pieces and two - 4' pieces for a 2 x 4 box. He uses plywood for the bottom and 2 x 4s for the legs.

An old table or coffee table from a second-hand store works as well.
the legs can be shortened or lengthened to adjust to the perfect height.

Here is a pic of my TT SFG that my hubby built for me. It is very sturdy. I hope it helps to give some ideas.

For the one on the ground: Perhaps that one could be deeper than normal? Either a double box or at least 12 inches? That way it won't be quite so close to the ground and when the peas and tomatoes come in, a little easier to get the lower ones.

What a wonderful idea!! My $0.02:

- Consider grab bars on / near the bed (can buy at Home Depot, make sure they are securely anchored)
- Plan a good place nearby at the perfect height for her to sit down
- Minimize/eliminate trip hazards / grade changes, so walker can move freely. (Soaker hose?)
- If there are vision problems, use high contrast coloring on edges of walkways and beds
- Fit sharp corners (edges of beds, etc) with padding to reduce bumps/bruises... a piece of wide-diameter PVC might do it?
- Sand well to eliminate splinters, countersink screws, etc.
- I agree that ideally legs on a table-top height bed should be eliminated, but probably not practical. If possible, put them well UNDER the bed, rather than at the corners, where the legs of the walker cannot snag on them. An alternative is to put a smaller SFG on a much wider table, so that the supports are not in the traffic path?

Wonderful points, Megan!

I wish I could remember which thread had it, but someone has a table-top SFG that has brick pillars underneath the box. They looked nice and were set under the bed slightly, which would allow a chair beside the TTSFG.

Click here for the pictures of the TT on bricks.

Claire

Thank you all so much. These are all great ideas. Megan, I think we will definitely add a grab bar to the side. Would never have thought of that.

Dear Husband is going to build the box today. We'll try to send photos next month after we get it set up and planted.

Thanks again. People on this forum are wonderfully helpful.

Thank you, Claire! That's the thread I had in mind. Our garden is so utilitarian, you guys are inspiring me to beautify and try a table top garden as well!