Not a nroken hip, but with aggressive Forestiers Disease I dare not mention lemy back, hips and legs have such severe pain that I take meds for the most severe pain available. For that reason I have gone to raised hay bail beds filled with compost and for potatoes, onions and such, beds with compost covered by deep hay beds. Most of my gardening is done while seated on the ground with 18" tools. Yesterday, I had to use a lot of physics and ingenuity to take all day raking compost from my truck into a pile. Today I am paying dearly. BUT, it can be done, it just takes more time and a lot more planning. No more tilling and long rows, and no more fighting the red clay soil. Now most of my gardening will be done above ground, but in raised beds. I call it therapy! It cost 85 per session three times a week for therapy that left my pinched nerves aching evene worst. Now, with every ligament and tendon turning to bone, every nerve is pinched, so this therapy of sitting in the sun is FAR preferable. My fifth book will be one based upon the lives of those living in pain..but really choosing to live!

mensplace - sorry to hear about your terrible disease. I didn't mean to sound like I was a whinner over a common thing like a broken hip. I need tips like yours to help me get back into the garden again.

I have raised beds, so it is a little easier then planting straight into the ground. I have read about hay bail gardening and have wanted to try it. I will just have to convince my DH. Thanks for the information on it.

I have been a gardener for over 50 years and miss it so. Good luck with all your gardening projects.
Clare