Many older people give up gardening due to a decline in muscle strength, back and joints related complications.
But studies suggest that gardening-related activities have a positive aging benefit for seniors. At any age you can make gardening easier and more manageable.
Here are five tips you can easily incorporate into your gardening routine to make gardening easier:
Decrease the Lawn (and Garden) Size
Caring for a large lawn or garden is tasking. A better idea is to reduce the area covered by the grass, flower or vegetable beds.
Instead of a big lawn, plant low maintenance, water-wise native plants that need minimal care. Or create a rock garden with hardy water-saving succulents.
Edge any lawn area with wood or metal edges for easier maintanence. You can also spread gravel and stones around raised gardens to help keep weeds down.
Incorporate flat pathways and hard landscaping ideas to further edge out the grass and make walking safer and easier.
Don’t Forget About Safety Precautions
Always have your cell phone with you while in the garden. It makes it easier to reach out for help if you need it.
Put on protective wear such as a brimmed hat, long sleeve shirt, long pants, good shoes and sunglasses. Wear sunblock. Such protection shields you from sun rays, scratchy stems, thorns and insects.
Also, time your gardening activities to fall either before 10 am or late in the day or early evening when the heat has cooled down. Have drinking water close by and sip from time to time. If possible, work in shady areas. Work in morning shaded areas in the morning and those that are shady later in the day, later in the day.
Engage in strenuous gardening activities for a shorter duration. Instead, handle demanding jobs for around five minutes and switch to light tasks or rest.
Rest when you need to. Take as many breaks as you need. There is no hurry to finish garden tasks. There will be another day to take care of them.
Invest in Raised Gardens
One of the main drawbacks of gardening for seniors is the difficulty in kneeling and bending over. When you have back or joints related complications, the difficulties worsen. Consider using a garden kneeler for a comfortable and stable kneeling platform.
Sometimes bending or kneeling puts you at risk of falling. For that reason, raised planters and beds lighten the gardening task. You don’t have to stoop low and hurt your back and joints.
You can buy easy-to-install raised gardens and large pots. It’s easy to use large containers and elevate them to an easy to reach height.
And as a bonus, a raised garden enjoys improved soil drainage. Adding a bench beside the raised garden adds great comfort. For indoor, patio or balcony gardeners, a vertical garden is the solution to saving space and having a comfortable area to tend the plants.
Pick Your Garden Tools and Equipment With Care
Arthritis-related complications and discomfort are common. So choose spades and garden forks that are lightweight and have long handles. Treat yourself to a new, ergonomic clipper that will be easier on your hands.
Besides having the right tool assume the right posture while in the garden. For instance, long handled tools are easier on the back, allowing you to maintain a more upright posture. Having a pruner with a comfortable grip will make pruning easier. Don’t forget about wearing a pair of gloves to protect your hands and wrists against scratches, stickers and thorns.
Have a Partner
Make gardening more enjoyable by partnering with your spouse, grandchild, or family caregiver. That way you have someone to talk to and break the boredom while you tend to the plants.
Besides keeping you company, partnering with your grandchild helps you train them and pass on vital gardening skills. And in return, they help you with demanding tasks. At the end of the day, everyone wins.
If you don’t have a partner or grandchild close by, hook up with that neighbor who is more than willing to learn from you.
Final Word
You can adjust to make gardening enjoyable at any age. A small lawn, hanging gardens, light and ergonomic garden tools are a big help. Before going out, don your protective equipment and never leave your cell phone behind. Having a partner is a bonus with immense benefits! Gardening is a lifelong enjoyment for many people. There is no reason we cannot continue to enjoy our flowers, herbs or vegetables with a few smart changes.