An Accessible Garden in Cumberland

An Accessible Garden In Cumberland

​gilakas’la čɛčɛ haθɛč. We respectfully acknowledge that land on which we garden is the Unceded Traditional Territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of the land. This Garden Matters article features a garden in Campbell River, the Unceeded Traditional Territory of the Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ peoples: the We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum, and Kwikiah Nations⁠.

Ramesh and Julie’s garden in Cumberland is a thoughtfully designed space for living, relaxing, entertaining, and growing food. The garden is in an exciting stage of youth where plants are still filling out and in a state of becoming. Espalier trees are starting to bear fruit, climbers are wending their way up trellises to soften the lines of the fence, and trees and shrubs are stretching out their limbs, promising privacy and shade to come.

The Virginia Creeper is already bringing a sense of maturity to the garden as it spreads over the fence.

The space is laid out into “zones” with a dining area, fire-side seating surrounded by raised beds, a custom greenhouse, areas for growing food, turf for the dogs to play on, and a unique space that the couple calls “the brick room”, which functions as a year-round inside-outside space. This covered seating area with sofa and house plants becomes a link between the indoors and the outdoors when the glass sectional doors are opened. Along the side of the house is a sheltered area where Ramesh tends his bonsai.

A ficus bonsai can be appreciated in the “brick room”, an indoor-outdoor space that is shady in the summer and cozy in the winter.

A selection of bonsai (and future bonsai) from Ramesh’s collection; he is a member of the Vancouver Island Bonsai Society.

There is one key design feature permeating the entire garden that might be invisible to some: accessibility. From front yard to back, the whole of the garden is built on one level. Between each garden zone are seamless transitions without any lips or steps. Below the gravel in the firepit seating area is a grid product from CORE that prevents Ramesh’s wheelchair wheels from getting stuck. The raised beds and raised containers make growing veg more accessible. Beyond garden design alone, other customizations make the outdoor space functional for Ramesh, such as the pulley he created to lift up the barbeque lid, and modifications to bonsai pruning tools to help with grip.

A mix of permanent and moveable raised planters surround the fireside seating area. The CORE gravel stabilizing system in this seating area helps make it wheelchair accessible.

A trip up an in-home elevator led to the second storey balcony overlooking Ramesh and Julie’s creation. Patches of bare earth below revealed where the garlic had just been harvested, having been cheekily planted in the spaces between still-establishing boxwood, along with summer squash and tomatoes. In the shade of the balcony, a neat pile of the freshly-harvested garlic sat curing, and taking cover from the summer sun, Ramesh talked about his experiences and the joys of gardening. He recalled from his childhood the times when his father would harvest food from the garden for dinner, and proudly proclaim something like, “Look at this carrot!” with the immense satisfaction that only comes from ‘growing your own’. While at the age of 11 or 12 he had wondered what his father was so excited about, Ramesh laughs now, realizing that he’s just the same. “Now I can really see what he [my dad] was appreciating”.

A bird’s eye view shows the smooth transitions between the different landscape materials used in each garden zone and highlights the various forms of raised bedding. To the left, level turf and a generous basket-full of dog toys makes the garden pet-friendly as well!

The first of the summer tomatoes are planted in a raised bed.

Freshly harvested garlic cures under the protection of the second storey balcony, accessible by elevator.

An exciting addition to the backyard was their greenhouse, which allows for more space to start vegetables from seed. It also makes for a great space to grow hot peppers, as well as fenugreek for curries. The greenhouse was a labour of love created from found materials. The couple collected old windows that local folks had put out for free on the curbside, or donated to the ReStore, or posted on online marketplaces. A carpenter friend helped them to frame-in the windows, after which Ramesh and another friend painted it a delightful lemon-lime colour. When reflecting on the support he’s had from friends for his projects, Ramesh joked that Julie often fondly comments that he ‘collects people’.

A greenhouse made from found materials is a fun and functional feature of Ramesh and Julie’s garden.

A funky feature of the greenhouse is a vintage light fixture that they found on Marketplace.

Ramesh and Julie had support from a landscape designer, Nancy Silverstein, to lay out their space, as well as landscapers to complete the hardscaping. Ramesh himself is an accessibility assessor and founder of Step by Step Accessibility Consulting, so he brought his training and lived experience to the table when making decisions for the layout of the garden. He had to be “on the ball” throughout the process, because people without disabilities affecting mobility do not always see how slight changes to a design can significantly reduce accessibility.

Sometimes accessible versions of things cannot simply be bought in a shop, and one has to make things up for one’s own needs. Ramesh explains that you have to ask, “What do you want to achieve?” and then work backwards. For example, a standard work surface might not be the right height, and may need to be modified. Ramesh has found the online community of individuals affected by thalidomide has also been helpful for him to come up with alternative ways to do things. He customized his bonsai pruning tools by using oxygen tubing and zip ties. He shared that these modifications could also easily support people with arthritis to better grip their gardening tools.

Tool modifications can help some gardeners who need support with grip.

Garden designer, television presenter, and disability advocate Mark Lane spoke about creative tool use on the BBC Gardeners World Magazine Podcast: “I think… manufacturers of tools still have a long way to go, and I think that they still need to introduce more tools that are accessible to all. And I think that if people start seeing tools like that being introduced into the market … in garden centers and nurseries they will then think, “You know what, I can do that. I can give it a go”. Garden designer, Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Disability Ambassador, and television presenter Sue Kent shared in an interview that personally she “would like to work with tool manufacturers to improve designs of some of their tools and to create some new ones.” Ramesh invites anyone in the community who is needing support with customizing hand tools for grip to reach out to him.

Ramesh shared that universal design and accessibility should be a concept everyone keeps in mind for their gardens. “Start thinking about where you might be 10-15 years from now,” Ramesh advises. “Will you still be able to bend over easily to tend your beds? Is this the house you want to age in?” He recommends that if you want to stay in your home for the long term, consider questions like:  How steady will you be on your feet? Will you be able to climb steps? How can you ensure that you will be able to access your garden as you ‘age in place’? The concept of aging in place refers to “having access to services and the health and social supports you need to live safely and independently in your home or your community for as long as you wish or are able,” according to a Government of Canada online resource.

A selection of elegant pots bring the planting within arm’s reach.

Ramesh has consulted on the design of accessible garden spaces in the local community as well. He highlighted Lush Valley Food Action Society’s “Share the Harvest” community garden in downtown Courtenay, which has some brand new accessible garden beds for people with mobility challenges. He was also involved with the Cypress Gardens project from Comox Valley Affordable Housing Society to make sure that the building and landscaping is safe and accessible for all.

Even the most carefully designed garden is always growing and changing. Ramesh sees his garden as “without finality” and as having “never ending potential”. His description of a garden that is constantly changing is an apt metaphor for our own journey through life as gardeners. Universal design can help any gardener to access the life-sustaining benefits of gardening across the lifespan.

Ramesh Lad, founder of Step by Step Accessibility, with his bonsai.

Posted: 2 December 2024