Looking for simple ways to make gardening easier? Here’s a quick list of tools that reduce bending, lifting, and strain – so you can keep enjoying your time outdoors.

This quick list is for older adults who want to reduce strain and pain from gardening.
Use this page to explore our top 10 recommendations for helpful garden tools. The list is split into 2 sections to help you quickly find what matters most – whether that's tools to reduce joint strain or ways to carry items more safely.
Select each tool from the list to discover:
Science shows that gardening is great for healthy ageing. It's not only good exercise, but also emotionally rewarding. A 2023 study from the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that:
However, some gardening tasks can get harder to do as you age. LiveUp’s allied health professionals have picked 10 tools to help fix that.
Interested in learning more? Read about the mental, physical, and social benefits of gardening in our gardening for healthy ageing article.
These tools can make gardening easier and safer for older people. Each tool in this list has its own page in our assistive products database. There, you'll find more details on the products, including where you can buy them.
Our occupational therapists have curated this list of tools because each item has the potential to improve your life at a very low cost. We're impartial when recommending products and suppliers. We don’t sell anything. We simply suggest stores that are widely available and affordable.
LiveUp is a non-profit funded by the Health Department, so we don’t earn money from these suggestions. We’re not connected to any retailers or products in any way. Our goal is to help you find practical, cost-effective solutions that make everyday life easier.

Lifts plants up to your height, so you don’t need to kneel.
Learn more about raised garden beds
Soft surface for kneeling and sitting, with handles to help you stand back up.
Learn more about garden kneelers
Has a soft, comfortable grip that makes digging easier on your hands and wrists.
Learn more about adaptive trowels
Designed with soft, ergonomic handles that are easier to squeeze, even if you have arthritis or pain.
Learn more about ergonomic secateurs
Longer handles with soft grips give you more leverage and protect your hands.
Learn more about long-handled shears
Full-length handles let you stand while gardening, so you don’t have to bend or kneel as much.
Learn more about long-handled garden tools
Keeps tools together as you move around the garden, preventing lost items. Lightweight, brightly coloured buckets are easier to carry and see.
Learn more about buckets
Makes it easier and safer to move bulky items or tools. For extra stability, choose one with two wheels.
Learn more about wheelbarrows
Helps you move heavier items like pots or bags of soil without lifting.
Learn more about outdoor carts
Sits under a pot so you can roll it to a new spot instead of lifting.
Learn more about flowerpot trolleysWant to find more tools? For a detailed guide, see our adaptive gardening tools article.
An occupational therapist (OT) can help you:
Find an OT near you through Occupational Therapy Australia.
Can’t find an OT in your area through OTA? You can also check Healthdirect’s tool for finding an OT by location.
If you need more information about healthy ageing, take the LiveUp quiz or get in touch with one of our helpful team on 1800 951 971.
Howarth, M., Brettle, A., Hardman, M., & Maden, M. (2020). What is the evidence for the impact of gardens and gardening on health and well-being: A scoping review and evidence-based logic model to guide healthcare strategy decision-making on the use of gardening approaches as a social prescription. BMJ Open, 10(7). https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/7/e036923
Fjaestad, S. L., Mackelprang, J. L., Sugiyama, T., Chandrabose, M., Owen, N., Turrell, G., & Kingsley, J. (2023). Associations of time spent gardening with mental wellbeing and life satisfaction in mid-to-late adulthood. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 87, 101993. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.101993
LiveUp provides free information to help you make informed decisions about your health. This information is for general and educational purposes only, is not intended to provide a comprehensive guide, and does not replace medical advice. Everyone is different, so some of these tips may work better for you than others. You should use your own judgment and seek medical advice when applying this information to yourself, to determine if it is suitable in your circumstances. Your use of, or reliance on, this information is solely at your own risk. Independent Living Assessment Incorporated is not responsible or liable for any injury, loss, or damage caused as a result of your use of, or reliance on, this information.
You can print out the PDF and stick it to your fridge or file away the tips to revisit at a later time.

Did you enjoy this article? You may also like reading similar healthy ageing articles.
See all Comfort articlesYour feedback helps LiveUp to curate information that matters to you.