Do you love gardening but are tired from all the constant bending you have to do? None of us are getting any younger and sometimes working in the garden can take its toll, especially if you’re already injured or are beginning to age a little. However, don’t feel that you need to stop doing something you enjoy because it’s starting to hinder your health. There are some solutions, and one of these is in the form of a rolling seat.
What is a rolling gardeners seat?
A rolling gardeners seat is pretty much as the name suggests. It’s a kind of seat that’s been specifically designed for use in the garden. It helps to prevent aching back and sore knees that people sometimes get when working in the garden without one.
Who can benefit from one of these seats?
Pretty much anyone! While these seats have been designed with those less mobile in mind, you don’t have to be old or injured to benefit from using one. Remember, prevention is always better than treatment.
Gardening can take its toll on anyone, young or old, and a rolling garden seat can be very useful for doing most tasks at ground level such as weeding or planting seeds. However, if you have existing medical conditions and are unsure as to whether this kind of seat is suitable for you or not, please to be sure to check with your doctor first.
Do rolling gardeners seats take much to maintain?
The level of maintenance required to maintain your rolling gardener’s seat will vary across models. As a general rule of thumb, those made of metal will require a little more work as if not done already they will need to be rust-treated to ensure they remain free of rust and corrosion while being exposed to the elements. You may also find that the wheels need oiling every now and then. Other than a quick wipe over as and when needed, there’s very little more you need to do with a metal garden seat.
If you have a plastic garden rolling seat, the only real maintenance you have to be concerned with is keeping it clean. Again, simply give it a quick wipe over with a warm water and a sponge as and when needed and it will be soon be looking as good as new.
What to consider when buying a gardening stool with wheels
If you’re new to the world of gardening and all the tools that are associated with it, or you’re simply new to the world of rolling gardeners seats, it can be a little bit daunting when actually going to buy one as you’re faced with so much choice. The following section should help you out tremendously with that as here, we’ll run through all the main things to consider when purchasing a gardening stool with wheels:
Movability
This is probably the most important factor to consider when buying a rolling gardeners seat. The last thing you want is something that’s going to get stuck in the mud the first time you use it. To try and avoid this from happening look for a model that has durable wheels. You’re going to go over various types of terrain while working in the garden, so you need wheels that are heavy-duty and have a good weight capacity.
Another thing you want to bear in mind that while you want a rolling garden seat that’s easy to maneuver, you don’t want something that’s going to slip about every time you lean left or right. A stopper or wheel lock may help with this, but whenever possible, you should always try a few models out before you buy, just to ensure it’s comfortable and works for you.
Type
When it comes to rolling gardener’s seats there are two main types. The first type are those that have an open design and look kind of like a small tractor. These models usually have swivel or adjustable seats, a rear basket, and a steering axle.
Rolling seats that are enclosed have a small compartment underneath the seat and look more like a kind of rolling cart. The downside to this type is there’s no way to adjust the seat.
Storage
As briefly mentioned above, you need to ensure that the rolling seat you purchase has adequate storage space for any tools, gloves, or refreshments you’ll need while out gardening. If you plan on taking quite a few items out with you just make sure that as well as having adequate space to put your tools, the garden scooter can handle the extra weight also.
Size
Before you make your purchase you should consider where you will most likely be using your rolling seat as this will help determine the size that’s most suitable. If you have a small garden or need to get into tight spaces, you should opt for a model that’s narrow in width.
Weight
If you’re young and fit, this may not be such an important factor for you. But, if you are elderly or have suffer from any mobility issues the more lightweight the seat, the easier it will be for you to maneuver.
The main thing to consider here is the landscape in which the rolling seat will be used. Will you have to lift the seat and carry it at any point? If the answer is yes, I would suggest looking for a model that weighs less than 10 pounds.
Material
The material of the rolling garden seat you opt for goes hand-in-hand with the above point. Metal seats are no doubt the strongest and most durable of garden seats, but they will be the heaviest, so just bear this in mind if you need to carry it anywhere. They’re also prone to rusting so make sure you store them indoors or under cover when not in use.
Plastic rolling seats are much lighter, making them easier to lift and carry if need be. The downside is they’re nowhere near as durable as metal ones.
Weight allowance
Rolling garden seats come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and while some of them have quite high weight allowances others are not so generous. Be sure to check that the model you’re looking at is strong enough to cope with both your weight and that of your tools, accessories, or refreshments.
It’s very important that you don’t exceed the weight allowance of these seats at any time as it could cause permanent damage, rendering it unsafe to use.
Adjustability
Having a seat that’s adjustable is imperative in order to get the right height for you. Swivel seats are also very useful as they allow you more movement with less effort. Open designed garden seats are best for adjustability.
Budget
While a rolling garden seat should be seen as an investment in your health, the cost is, of course, something you still need to consider. The price range of these seats varies considerably across the board, but most will cost you less than $50.
Assembly
This is another thing that varies from model to model. If you’re someone who’s gets scared at the very sight of a screwdriver then make sure you look for an option that requires very little assembly. Most rolling garden seats are pretty easy to put together, but you do get the odd one that is a right pain in the backside, so be careful.
Product Reviews
If you’re looking for a garden seat that’s lightweight, easy to use, and holds a staggering 8.5 gallons worth of yard clippings, then the Suncast GDS2000D Garden Scooter is the model for you. Available in four different color options (tan, green, orange, and blue tan), and weighing in at less than 9 pounds this is a great little accessory for any gardener.
The thing I like most about this rolling garden seat is that it has so many different features. It has two built-in cup holders to ensure you remain hydrated while out in the garden; there’s a durable pull strap to make for easy maneuverability, and it has a removable accessories basket to pull all those necessary items.
It’s resin wheels make it easy to glide over most terrains and the foam cushion can be removed and used as a kneeling pad or to sit on. The only real downside that I can see with it, is that the plastic is a little soft and while there’s no suggested weight limit that I can see, I wouldn’t suggest anyone weighing more than 150 pounds or so use it.
Pros
- Available in 4 colors.
- Lightweight.
- Huge storage capacity.
- Loads of extra features.
Cons
- May not be suitable for individuals weighing in excess of 150 lbs.
The Pure Garden Cart Rolling Scooter is an innovative little product, to say the least. It doesn’t really look much like your traditional tractor style seat or your cart-style seat. It’s a kind of mix in between. That being said, it’s a versatile tool that can be used when planting or weeding or even for carrying out odd jobs around the house such as painting or cleaning.
For me, the most prominent features of this rolling seat are the 3” heavy-duty, plastic wheels. While some people are convinced that rubber tires are better, at least with plastic ones you don’t have the same concerns over them popping under pressure or puncturing. The frame of the seat is made from stainless steel and has a generous 200-pound weight limit.
Assembly of this garden seat is not too bad and took me around 20 minutes altogether. Where this product falls short is that it is a little small. And while being compact is great when needing to store it away when not in use, it’s not so great when you want a comfortable seat to sit on while doing the gardening.
Pros
- Durable 3” plastic wheels.
- 200-pound weight capacity.
- Great price.
Cons
- Small and uncomfortable seat.
As the name (and price) suggests, here we have a deluxe rolling garden seat on offer from Vertex. It’s sturdy, well-made, and is so easy to use. As well being the perfect tool to use for gardening in even the tightest of spaces, its Never Flat tires ensure you’re not left abandoned in the middle of the yard.
There’s a long push/pull handle to make moving of the seat hassle free. However, it also doubles up as a handy backrest when using as a seat. The easy access storage bin is pretty big and easy to clean. And, thanks to its innovative design you can attach extra buckets for even further storage (bucket clips included, bucket not).
And while those are all very good features, what makes this model a cut above the rest (in my eyes) is its ergonomic design. Not only does it have a backrest, but there’s a height adjustable swivel seat too that can be raised between 15” and 19”. It also has a generous weight allowance of 220 pounds.
There are no real bad points to highlight when it comes to the Vertex Easy Up Rolling Seat other than it’s a little pricey.
Pros
- Heavy-duty design.
- Never Flat tires.
- Easy to clean.
- 220-pound weight capacity.
Cons
- Expensive.
If you’re looking for a rolling garden seat that’s lightweight, easy to assemble, and won’t cost you a fortune, be sure to take a look at the Step2 Garden Hopper. One of the first things that stands out for me is its cute little compact design. Measuring in at just 12.5 inches wide and 22 inches long, it’s the perfect accessory to have by your side when out in the garden.
The 7” smooth rolling wheels roll very easily over grass, and it has a storage space that’s easy to access and big enough to store gloves, tools, seeds, or anything else you want with you while gardening. It even has an integrated 12-oz drinks holder to eliminate the need to go back to the house to get refreshed. The open sides make accessing your stuff nice and easy and the fact that it sits around 14 inches high makes it a good height for anyone that’s of average height.
While most other rolling garden seats have a weight capacity of around 200 pounds, this model steps it up a notch with a 250-pound weight limit. The problem I have with this model is that unlike the Vertex rolling garden seat, there’s no back support and you’re unable to adjust the height of the seat.
Pros
- Compact design.
- 250-pound weight allowance.
Cons
- Unable to adjust height.
- No back support.
Here we have a fine example of an open-faced, tractor-style rolling seat. Made using powder-coated steel and fitted with pneumatic tires, the Gardener’s Supply Company Deluxe Tractor Scoot is one mean machine that’s built to last. You should have no concerns over going over any terrain on this beast as the tires on it are amazing.
It has a fully adjustable swivel seat that can be positioned anywhere between 16” and 19” high, and it’s available in three great colors (red, blue, and green). And, thanks to the heavy-duty steel frame, the weight capacity of this chair is 400 pounds – one of the best out there.
While there is a storage tray that sits underneath the seat, and a small bucket basket to the rear, storage space is still pretty limited with this model. So, if you have a lot of stuff to take out in the garden with you, it may not be the best model for you. You should also be aware that you will need a few extra tools for assembling this item, including a large flat head screwdriver, a ½” wrench, and some adjustable slip jaw pliers
Pros
- Excellent 400-pound weight capacity.
Cons
- Storage space is limited.
- Extra tools required for assembly.
Hopefully, by now, you’ll have a good idea at least to the type of rolling garden seat that’s going to work best for you. My personal favorite is the Vertex Easy Up Deluxe XTV Rolling Seat as it’s sturdy, has an ergonomic design, and has wheels that are super solid and resistant to damage. It may be one of the more expensive models out there, but if it’s going to allow you to carry on doing something you love without being in any pain or discomfort, then surely it’s worth it?
But, if the Vertex model doesn’t do it for you, there are plenty of other great choices on the list. It’s now simply a case of going through them all and picking out which is going to best rolling garden seat to suit your needs.