Some links in the post are affiliate links and I get a commission from purchases made through some links found in the post.
Gardening is a great way to relax – until your back and knees start to hurt from bending or kneeling. Once that happens we may begin to feel frustrated and less inclined to spend time on our knees tending to our plants.
One solution to this quandary is to have a garden kneeler which will not only take the strain off backs and knees, but it will also keep clothing clean and free from grass stains.
A regular garden kneeler and seat will work for many people, but an even better idea is to have an ergonomic garden kneeler and seat.
What is an Ergonomic Garden Kneeler?
An ergonomic garden kneeler will be the ideal height for you to kneel on in order to stop pain from prolonged kneeling. The foam cushion should be firm enough yet comfortable to kneel on.
The ergonomic garden kneeler should have side handles for you to hold on when you stand or kneel. You should be able to get up and down without straining your back or shoulders.
Many ergonomic kneelers can be flipped over to become seats and they should ideally be able to support at least 200 pounds in weight.
When choosing your ergonomic garden kneeler or seat you should also look for additional side pockets where you can place your garden hand tools.
Ideally when you are finished gardening you should be able to fold the kneeler up for compact storage as well as easy carrying.
You may also like: Best portable greenhouses for winter
What to Look for in an Ergonomic Garden Kneeler
There are several things which make a garden kneeler ergonomic.
- An elevated knee cushion. This needs to be between 3-5” off the ground.
- Rails on both sides. These need to be sturdy and comfortable. They should be firmly attached so there is no risk of them detaching when you are trying to stand up or kneel.
- Foam cushion. This is essential to protect the knees from being on hard surfaces. If the foam is too soft the cushion will not give enough support. The foam also needs to be firm enough to sit on comfortably for any length of time.
- Handy pouches. They will prevent over stretching to reach your garden tools. They need to be placed within easy reach and have pockets not too deep for tools to slip out of reach.
- The entire seat/kneeler needs to be light enough for you to carry comfortably around the garden.
While compactness does not necessarily make the design ergonomic, it will be very handy for your kneeler to be able to fold down so you can pack it away when not in use.
Having pouches that can be removed to be washed is another bonus as things can get a little dirty when we get stuck in to gardening. The fabric should be at the very least able to be wiped down with a damp cloth.
What is the Best Ergonomic Garden Kneeler?
1) Nausikaa Garden Kneeler and Seat
The kneeler can be easily folded up and is light when carried. It can support up to 330 pounds in weight, the steel is scratchproof and waterproof, which means it will not rust if it gets wet.
There is a garden bag for holding hand tools and included in the price is a hand trowel, hand rake, and fork. The bag is made with three mesh pockets and two deep pockets.
The seat weighs just 5.5 lbs and folds up for storage. The bag is made of 600D Oxford cloth for extra durability.
2) Novinex Folding Gardening Kneeler
The bag is made up of two large pouches to store small hand tools and the kneeler can support up to 330 pounds of weight.
When folded up the kneeler measures just 22.5” x 10.5” x 5” so can be easily stored when not in use.
The kneeler comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and will be replaced or refunded within the first year if you are unsatisfied with it.
3) Livebest Folding Garden Kneeler
The EVA foam cushion is soft and comfortable to protect knees and the side rails are at the perfect height to help standing up with ease.
The kneeler folds up easily and is light to carry. It is also small enough to store in small areas. You can turn it over to make it a seat if you need to sit down.
What is an Ergonomic Garden Seat?
When something is classed as ergonomic it means that the item has been designed to carry out a task in the most efficient and safest way. The design will ensure that there is as little impact as possible on backs, knees, hands, arms, and wrists.
An ergonomic garden seat has been designed specifically to help you carry out gardening tasks without injury or strain to your back, knees, wrists, shoulders, or any other part of your body.
What is the Best Ergonomic Garden Seat?
1) H> Garden Seat
Being multi-purpose, you can invert it to use as a garden kneeler. You will find a deluxe removable pouch which attaches to the side rails by Velcro.
The seat weighs just 5.7 pounds and can easily be folded and stored when not in use.
The cushion on the seat is comfortable and washable.
2) TomCare Garden Seat
The bag is removable and can be washed. The foam cushion is comfortable and made of high-quality material which is also washable. The seat can support a weight of up to 330 pounds.
The seat can easily be folded and packed away when not in use. It is lightweight and easy to carry around.
3) Garden Seat/kneeler
The seat is made from good quality steel tubing and is padded with EVA foam for extra comfort.
The side pouches are removable for washing and the seat takes very little space when folded down to store. It is a tool-free assembly and is put together quickly.
The weight limit on the seat is 330 pounds and the seat can quickly be inverted to form a kneeler.
How do you Make Garden Kneelers?
If you are a handyman, or you know a handyman, then you can easily build a kneeler/seat at home.
1) Take a piece of 1 x 10” hardwood and cut into a length of 24”. This is the base of the kneeler.
2) Using 1 x 2” hardwood, cut four 12” lengths for the legs of the kneeler.
3) Sand the edges of the base and the legs to stop any splinters.
4) Lay the base on the ground and attach the legs at each corner using the toenail method. This is done by driving a nail into the leg and base at an angle. You will find that a nail gun does this easily.
5) Turn the kneeler over and use the nail gun to shoot nails through the base and into the legs
6) Use a piece of 1” foam and cut into a length of 22” x 8”. You will be able to do this with a set of decent scissors.
7) Place the foam between the four legs.
8) Cut a piece of waterproof fabric over the foam. Cut this 26” x 12”.
9) Lay the fabric over the foam and staple the fabric to the sides of the base with staples every 2” along the edges.
Final Thoughts: What is the Best Ergonomic Garden Kneeler and Seat?
While many people love gardening and want to spend more time there, it is often a source of pain and discomfort due to bending or kneeling at odd angles.
Having an ergonomic garden kneeler, which can also be used as a seat if required, can remove those back and knee pains and allow you to spend as long as you want in your garden.
If you choose to make one yourself, it can be done in a very short time. Whether you choose to make one or buy one, you will find this an essential piece of equipment around the garden.
If you enjoyed this article, check out our article on are folding wheelbarrows any good.
