A recent survey indicated that 56% of folks
who plant and tend vegetable gardens are over fifty, yet
many are unaware of adaptations they may need to make in
their gardening habits as they continue to age. Like it
or not, strength, balance and coordination diminish with
aging, and hoisting a 50-pound bag of fertilizer or pushing
a wheelbarrow laden with manure can become formidable tasks
on a hot day. The repeated motions of digging, bending and
lifting may aggravate physical problems and cause many would-be
gardeners to give up what can be a healthy and life enhancing
activity.
Instead of laying down your hoe and resigning
as a gardener, take on the mantra, "I will adapt, accommodate,
and pace myself." There are as many tips for making
gardening easier for seniors as there are zucchinis in July.
Consider these.
RAISED BEDS and trellises are easier
to reach and maintain than in-ground garden plots. Raised
beds filled with deep loose soil and surrounded by low supports
for kneeling on provide permanent access to gardening without
tilling. Watering, weed control and harvesting are easier
in raised beds, and soil warms up more quickly in spring
because of the added height. So what's the bad news? Creating
your beds will require an initial output of physical labor
(enlist a friend, neighbor or family member!), but once
you have them you will never go back to gardening the old
way. Make your raised beds no more than four feet across
to minimize long reaches.
WATERING your garden can be an arduous
task unless Mother Nature blesses you with enough gentle
rain to maintain strong green growth all summer. One gallon
of water weighs eight pounds. It doesn't take a math wizard
to understand how carrying hundreds of pounds of water to
and fro will take a toll on muscles, joints and energy levels.
If possible, design your garden so your water source is
nearby. Use mulch of straw, hay, newspaper, black plastic
or wood chips to retain soil moisture and cut down on the
need to water. An added bonus of mulching is increased weed
control. Consider using a soaker or drip hose snaked throughout
the garden instead of hauling water gallon by gallon.
Keep your GARDENING TOOLS as close
to your garden as possible, and when in use try pulling
them along in a gardening caddy or wagon. There are large-grip
tools available that make gardening less stressful on finger
joints, knee pads for cushioning knees while kneeling, and
adaptive tools whose ergonomic designs reduce strain on
muscles, joints and lower back. A watering wand attached
to your hose can extend it up to 36", allowing you
to reach high places or across beds. To avoid unnecessary
searching around garden beds, take the time to paint the
handles of all your tools a bright easy-to-see color. An
alternative to paint is colored tape or ribbon - anything
to catch your eye among the greenery.
Other tips to put on your short list
include:
- Plant your garden near your house - you
will visit it more often and see its beauty from your
windows.
- Garden in the morning before the sun's
rays are too strong and while your energy level is highest.
- Protect yourself. Wear a wide-brimmed
hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. Loose cotton clothing is
cooler than polyester. Garden gloves will protect you
from cuts and bug bites.
- Gardening requires lots of water, mostly
in the form of perspiration! Drink plenty of water to
stay hydrated.
- Buy supplies in smaller packages to avoid
the stress of lifting heavy bags.
- Garden leisurely and stop to rest in
the shade. Gardening is part work, part enjoyment.
- Start small. If you can handle your compact
garden with ease you can always decide to enlarge it.
- Share your garden with a child and show
them how satisfying growing food and flowers can be.
- Share your flowers and vegetables with
those around you who don't have the good fortune of enough
time and space for a garden.
- And always, always take time to smell
the flowers.
USEFUL BOOKS
- The Able Gardener: Overcoming Barriers
of Age and Physical Limitation. (Kathleen Yeomans, 1992)
- Accessible Gardening: Tips & Techniques
for Seniors and the Disabled. (Joann Woy, 1997)
- The Enabling Garden: a Guide to Lifelong
Gardening. (Gene Rothert, 1994)
