VISITING ANGELS RICHMOND, VA 804-353-0000
Facebook YouTube X Instagram LinkedIn

Garden with Ease: Six Gardening Tips for Older Adults

Gardening has been a favorite hobby across all generations and continues to grow in popularity as more and more Americans choose to grow some of their own food. According to the National Gardening Association, one in three American households grow food at home or in a community garden. Beyond supporting healthy nutrition, gardening has many other health and therapeutic benefits, especially for older adults. Gardening reduces stress, promotes relaxation, encourages use of all gross and fine motor skills, increases strength and endurance, and serves as means to socialize with others. Many older adults find that gardening helps connect them with nature and can be a way for them to express their creativity and/or spirituality.

As pleasant, gratifying, and relaxing gardening can be, there are challenges that older adults may face when working outdoors. Older adults with low mobility can find it cumbersome to dig in the dirt on the ground. Low vision or poor eyesight can restrict gardening activities. Older adults generally have fragile, thinning skin, which makes them susceptible to sunburn, cuts, bruises, and need to be conscious of overheating. There’s also an increased risk for falls. However, with a little planning, older adults can continue to enjoy gardening. Whether you’re a novice gardener or have been gardening your entire life, here are six gardening tips for older adults.

Switch to Raised Beds
The first way to garden with ease is to switch in-ground garden beds to raised beds. Whether you build them yourself or purchase them at a hardware store, raised beds can allow many older adults to continue to enjoy their favorite hobby. Raised beds allow older adults to work while seated or standing and limit their need to bend over. Raised beds can be placed near or on patios or porches too, which helps prevent falls out in the yard.

Plant in Pots
If you can’t utilize a raised bed, consider planting in pots instead. Container gardening is popular, and is essentially another form of raised gardening, just in smaller portions. Planting in terra cotta pots, whiskey barrels, or galvanized buckets adds aesthetic interest and practicality to your outdoor space.

Use Adaptive Garden Equipment
If you need to dig in the ground, weed your garden beds, or complete other gardening tasks that require you to bend over, use long handled gardening tools instead. Weeding can be a breeze if you use a long-handled hoe to dig around existing plants. Look for garden tools made specifically for seniors, which are often designed more ergonomically than the average garden tool. Paint tools bright colors so that they’re easier to spot if dropped on the ground. If you do need to bend over, remember to bend from the knees and hips, not from the back, to avoid injury.

Decrease Your Garden Space
Consider ways to decrease your garden space so that you can continue to enjoy the great outdoors, without the hassle of maintenance. Plant beautiful ground cover that can take over portions of your lawn, so that you don’t have so much to mow. Replace mulched beds with garden rocks to help reduce the amount of mulch you need to spread each year and to help reduce the growth of weeds. Add stepping-stones or pavers to allow easy access through your garden. Partner with a few friends or family and plant your vegetables in a community garden so that you don’t have to take on the full work load yourself. Finally, hire help where needed and significantly decrease your risk for injury in the garden.

Take Breaks & Hydrate
As you tend your garden, it’s important to take breaks and take them often, especially as the weather warms up. Give yourself a time limit and set a timer so that you don’t lose track of time. If you’re feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or overexerted, stop immediately. Find a shady place to rest and rehydrate. Use the down time to meditate and enjoy your hard work.

Wear Protective Gear
Gardening with ease begins before you even head outdoors. Wearing the right clothing can help prevent minor scrapes and cuts, as well as prevent you from overheating. Choose lightweight and light-colored clothing that is made with breathable material. Lather on the sunscreen and grab a hat and sunglasses before heading outside. Select closed toed shoes that are supportive and non-skid. Evaluate your garden gloves and replace them if they are worn or torn. Finally, don’t forget to take a cellular phone outdoors with you in case of an emergency. Always keep it within reach.

While you’re making adjustments to your usual garden habits, perhaps this season it’s time you reach out to Visiting Angels Richmond for more support. We are pleased to offer in-home senior care to elderly and disabled adults throughout the counties of Hanover and Henrico. We can assist you outdoors, too, by helping you with simple garden tasks that bring you joy. If you are looking for reliable, nurturing, non-medical home care for yourself or an aging loved one, look no further than us. Getting started is easy. Simply contact us today to learn more about our custom-tailored care plans.

Serving communities in the Metro Richmond Area including Richmond, Mechanicsville, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Henrico & Hanover Counties

Visiting Angels RICHMOND, VA
4914 Radford Ave #211
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-353-0000

Serving communities in the Metro Richmond Area including Richmond, Mechanicsville, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Henrico & Hanover Counties

Visiting Angels RICHMOND, VA
4914 Radford Ave #211
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-353-0000