GARDENING MADE EASIER FOR ELDERS
Having the right products on hand can make all the difference to older gardeners.
Your green thumb may have faded a little over the years, and your aches and pains increased but that doesn’t mean you should give up gardening. Instead, adjust how you do things so you can feel good again while working the land. A sensible tip from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society: Work in 20-minute spurts, take a break, and return to your garden tasks.
Making small changes that address your physical needs is called adaptive gardening, and it’s a boon for people with creaky knees that make weeding difficult or whose arthritic fingers hurt while trying to harvest tomatoes for dinner. Take a look at these tips to make gardening a (gentle) breeze once again.
Raised Beds
Instead of planting in the ground, which requires a lot of bending and kneeling, it’s much less taxing on the body when you plant in elevated raised beds. They’re typically made of wood or metal and come in different sizes (4x4, 2x8). Older folks may prefer raised beds that are waist-high and on legs.
Containers
Important considerations for making gardening easier: the size of the container and its weight. While it may be tempting to plant in large containers, it’s more practical to use several smaller ones instead. They’re easier to pick up when filled with soil. Lightweight plastic pots may be a better option since even small containers made of heavier materials like terra cotta and ceramic may be too heavy for some older people to lift.
Kneelers
It’ll be much more comfortable to be on your knees for a long period of time when you use a kneeler made of a thick cushion. There is also a more deluxe foldable version with a metal frame that allows you to sit.
Perennials
These are flowers and plants that come back to life every year, which saves you from having to plant new seeds or seedlings (young plants) every year. Choosing native plants whenever you can will attract beneficial insects, butterflies and birds, according to horticultural experts.
Shrubs
Consider replacing patches of lawn with shrubbery to reduce the need to mow and increase the habitat needed for a healthy environment.
Tool Bag
Look for a carryall made of a sturdy but lightweight material like cotton or rubber and has pockets to hold small tools (pruners, gloves) in one place. Identify your tasks and the tools you’ll need before heading to the garden to avoid running back and forth between the house, garage or tool shed.
Vertical Gardening
Instead of a traditional horizontal installation in the ground, a garden with a vertical wall means flowers and vegetables are installed vertically on a trellis or other support. Also called a living wall, it is less strenuous to grow than the in-ground variety because you plant and care for it standing up.