My mother had a green thumb. When she finally retired at the age of 72, she immersed herself in gardening.
She had a beautiful small fenced-in backyard which she filled with herbs and flowers.
It was a hobby she enjoyed very much for 15 years until the day she fell while she was in the yard.
I wanted to help her keep up her gardening but we needed to make it safer for her to participate in.
So, I began to do some research on safe gardening tips for seniors. But first, I want to go over some of the great reasons why gardening is such a wonderful hobby for many older adults.
The Benefits Of Gardening
Gardening can offer many benefits for seniors, from improving their physical and mental health to providing a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
Physical health benefits:
Gardening is a great way to get some form of exercise. It can help improve strength, flexibility, and stamina.
It can also reduce the risk of falls by improving balance and coordination.
Mental health benefits:
Gardening can help reduce stress and anxiety, and can also help improve mood and sleep quality.
It also provides a sense of purpose and satisfaction and can help to combat loneliness and isolation.
Studies have shown that gardening can be helpful for memory loss and may help to stabilize the decline of cognitive function in those with Alzheimer’s disease.
So, if you’re looking for a way to improve your health and well-being, get out into the garden and give it a go!
Read about dementia gardens here.
Why Is Gardening Good For Seniors?
I want to start off by encouraging you to do all you can to keep your senior loved one participating in this beloved hobby of gardening – simply because it’s so beneficial for them – mentally and physically.
Just make sure to speak to your doctor about possible precautions and limitations that should be adhered to.
Read our article on The Benefits Of Outdoor Activities For Seniors.
The health benefits from gardening are evident in any population that participates in this great hobby. But for seniors, the perks can have a greater impact.
Gardening, as a hobby for elders, provides:
- Physical well being
- Mental well being
Physically – gardening is an excellent low-impact exercise that improves flexibility through stretching and bending. It promotes strengthening and endurance as well.
Mentally – the fresh air and sunshine that you get from just being outdoors are very helpful for reducing stress and anxiety. But in addition to just being outside, gardening provides a project that provides purpose which plays a significant role in improving one’s level of happiness and life satisfaction.
Singapore is working to curb loneliness in the elderly population. They created a community garden for their residents, which many of their seniors are taking full advantage of.
It has proven popular. More than 1,000 allotment gardens have been leased out to residents at 57 Singapore dollars ($41) annually in national parks across the island, which is dominated by densely packed high rises…Retired taxi driver Roger Loh said he has been spending at least an hour every day at his allotment, tending to his papaya, chili and spinach plants.
TheJapanTimes.co.jp
The issues I would caution any older adult on, as far as gardening goes, is to be careful and to be smart.
Being outdoors for too long under the sun and heat can be unhealthy. I would recommend talking with your doctor and discussing what he/she thinks about you participating in this activity.
The tasks of weeding and pruning can cause you to bend, squat and kneel which can wreak havoc on your joints if you are arthritic. They can cause you to fall if you have poor balance. These are not good and it’s important to know your limitations and to be safe at all times.
Safety Tips For Gardening
- Install a walkway with very large square stones so an older person will not have to walk on the uneven grassy areas
- Protect your muscles and joints by spreading your gardening tasks throughout the day
- Avoid working in the garden during the hottest times of the day
- Install raised gardening beds
- Add tall large pots (for container gardening)
- Install window boxes onto the top of the fence
- Purchase gardening tools that are easier to handle
- Wear gloves and safety goggles, along with the proper clothing, and use sunscreen (and insect repellents, too)
- Consider indoor gardening
- Use a gardening stool or kneeler
- Hire help for the tasks that are too difficult to do
If you have an elderly parent or another senior gardener in your life who can no longer garden safely due to age or physical limitations, there are still ways you can help them enjoy this hobby.
Read on for tips on how to make gardening easier and more enjoyable for seniors.
A Word Of Caution:
- Make sure that your aging parent does not get dehydrated or have heat stroke.
- They should always wear sunscreen and take their cell phone into the garden with them in case they don’t feel well and need help.
- Also, they should spend no more than 10 minutes in direct sunlight and no more than 2-3 times per week.
Safety Checklist
Okay – so let’s get to the multiple ways that you can make gardening safer (and easier) for older adults.
Making gardening easier and safer for those seniors who love it is a big part of home safety matters.
After all, hobbies are a large part of retirement, and being able to continue doing what you love during your golden years is important to anyone’s overall health.
Below is a checklist of how you can make gardening easier and safer for the seniors in your life.
- The very first thing you need to do is to make it accessible – especially for older gardeners with limited mobility. That means creating a walkway that they can maneuver with a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair. Of course, a solid cement walkway would be the best solution but that can be very costly.
- So, another solution would be to use large, square stones and either places them or cement them together to create a walkway that’s as smooth as possible.
- The next step would be to raise the level of the garden so there is less strain on the lower back when tending to vegetable and flower beds. This can be accomplished in several ways:
- Build or buy an elevated garden bed. You can even take it a step further and install or place “benches” on the sides of these raised gardens.
- Use large and tall pots to also raise the level of gardening. Any kind of container gardening that is elevated would work.
- If there’s a wall or fence, consider installing window boxes to make the garden more vertical.
- Note that there are vertical gardens that you can install (or build) and they can be placed on a wall, like the side of the house.
- Your senior family member should make it a point to warm up before any physical activity and that includes engaging in garden work.
- For some seniors, handling gardening tools can be difficult. You will want to look for ergonomic tools that have larger than normal handles that are not slippery. (But not so large that your elderly mother or father could not handle it.) You also want to consider the weight of the tool as well.
- The right tools make a difference. The tool(s) that you select truly depends on the issue(s) the elderly person is having. Whether it be arthritis, Parkinson’s, vision problems, or mobility problems – the idea is to do your best to accommodate that problem.
- I would avoid power tools completely and only use manual ones.
- If, for whatever reason, your elderly parent cannot go outside – consider creating a space within the home for indoor gardening. Of course, you can use pots on shelves and in tower gardens. You can also get ultra fancy and purchase indoor garden kits that come complete with their own LED lights.
- Hire help for the tasks that are just too difficult or strenuous to do.
- Make sure to wear the proper clothing. Proper shoes (no sandals or anything that can slip off easily), large brimmed hats to keep the sun off of you, gardening gloves and use bug spray to avoid insect bites. Also, be sure to protect your skin with sunscreen lotion.
- Keep a jug or bottle of water nearby and within easy access and of course, drink plenty of water often to avoid dehydration.
- A garden stool can make gardening so much easier and safer. It allows you to sit while you weed or tend to your plants. If you use a stool with wheels, it then allows you to scoot around without having to keep getting up.
- Work in the garden periodically throughout the day vs. all at once. An example would be to work 20 minutes at a time in the garden, 3 or 4 times throughout the day instead of a full hour or more all at once. This helps to protect yourself from heat exhaustion, protects you from overusing your muscles and overtaxing your joints.
One great tip from Insteading.com is…
Even when you have raised garden beds and wide pathways, moving the garden hose from one area to another can be a total pain and inconvenience. Consider installing a drip irrigation system to eliminate the problem of dragging your hose from one end of the garden to the other.
What Is The Most Low-Maintenance Garden?
This is a question that we hear a lot, and it’s one that can be difficult to answer. There are so many variables to consider when it comes to low-maintenance gardening, from the type of plants you choose to the way you care for them.
That being said, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your garden is as low maintenance as possible. Here are our top tips:
1. Choose plants that are well suited to your climate.
This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s worth repeating. Plants that are native to your area will be much easier to care for than those that aren’t. They’ll be more resistant to pests and diseases, and they’ll need less water and fertilizer.
2. Avoid delicate plants.
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance garden, steer clear of delicate plants that require a lot of TLC. Choose tough, hardy plants that can withstand some neglect.
Perennials can be much easier than annuals.
3. Plant in masses.
Planting in masses is a great way to reduce the amount of time you spend caring for your garden. When plants are grouped together, they compete for resources and help to keep each other healthy.
4. Use mulch.
Mulching is one of the best things you can do for your garden. It helps to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and regulate temperature.
5. Use native plants.
Native plants are adapted to your local climate and soil, so they require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. Plus, they provide food and shelter for local wildlife.
6. Use rain barrels.
If rain barrels are allowed in your area, this is a great way to conserve water. You can use the water to water your plants during dry periods.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
If you’re not sure how to take care of something in your garden, don’t hesitate to ask a friend or neighbor for help. They may be able to give you some good tips.
Garden Trolley For The Elderly
I considered getting my mother this scooter pictured here. But the majority of her garden did not have a cement or flat surface adjacent to it so pushing this along the tough Florida grass was too difficult for her.
But, I do know of several older friends and relatives who love their Garden Trolleys (or Garden Scooters). They are perfect for seniors and anyone who happens to have a bad back!
There are many different varieties and I encourage you to take a look at this one and the others that are available at Amazon and your local hardware and gardening centers.
The one caution I would give when using these trolleys is to be aware of any problems the user may have concerning balance and/or coordination. The complications could include:
- It may be too difficult to sit down on the trolley. These are not very tall, and lowering oneself down onto it may prove to be a challenge for some older adults.
- The same would be true for getting up from these types of scooters. There are no lift chair options here so it will take some strength and a bit of coordination to get up from such a low position.
- Trolleys are on wheels and if it’s on a cement patio or pathway – there is the potential that while getting up or down, it could begin to roll which could cause the user to fall onto the ground.
Gardening Tools For Seniors
In addition to any products I mention in this article, check out more on our Recommended Gardening Products page.
Other products that could be helpful to make gardening safer are…
- Lightweight coiled hose – my mother loved this product very much. It was so easy to pull out and put away when she was done. We attached this extended nozzle (aka watering wand) that had an on / off switch right on the handle. It was really one of the best things we got for her.
- Garden tools with easy-to-grip handles – many seniors suffer from arthritis and generally weakened muscles and grip. Using garden tools that have easy-to-grip handles which are larger and usually have a no-slip type of material on them makes it so much easier to garden with.
- Safer weeding – my mother did a lot of weeding. In fact, I don’t think she ever went a day (unless the rain was too severe) that she did not get out in the yard and weed, even if it was just a small portion of the garden. So, it was a no-brainer to get her a tool that would make it easier to weed.
There are many different brands but the one we chose was the Yard Butler Rocket Weeder – it seemed the easiest one to use and she was able to manage it as long as the ground was soft enough for her to push the weeder down with one hand.
CAUTION: If your senior loved one has poor balance and/or poor upper body strength then I would recommend to NOT use any kind of weeder. Most require the user to hold the tool with two hands and then step on the pedal to push the weeder down into the ground. I strongly urge you to consult with your physician and/or physical therapist first. - Garden benches and kneeler pads – there are products that can make it easier for anyone to get down to the ground level for their gardening. I personally am not a fan of these, I strongly prefer to raise the garden itself via raised garden beds or container gardens (which is what we did for our mother). But, I do understand there are many healthy seniors who are very capable of getting down on the ground or lower level and getting back up safely so be aware that these products could be beneficial for them.
- Garden tool apron – my mom loved her garden apron. Such an easy way for her to carry the few things that she needed (gloves, spade, seeds, etc.). When she was done, she would just hang the apron on a hook in her porch. So, when she needed to go back out again, everything she needed was still in the apron waiting for her.
- Garden cart – A garden cart is a very versatile tool that can be used for a variety of tasks in the garden. They are great for carrying soil, plants, and other gardening supplies around the garden. Garden carts can also be used to haul weeds, mulch, and other debris out of the garden.
- Gardening gloves – there are a few things to consider when choosing gardening gloves for seniors. First, look for gloves that are made from lightweight and breathable materials. Secondly, look for gloves that have a good grip. This will help you keep a firm hold on tools and gardening pots. And finally, choose gloves that are easy to take off and put on.
- Long-handled hose sprayer – These hose extensions can make watering your garden a breeze! They attach to the end of your hose and give you an extra few feet so that all that hard work is not wasted. Made out of durable material, these wands will stay put even when under pressure.
Container Gardening
Container gardens are wonderful for seniors, apartment dwellers, the handicapped, and for anyone who simply wants to make gardening as creative and easy as possible.
The reason I threw in “creative” there is because you can use so many different objects as a container.
I mean, if you really get creative, and you don’t mind a little quirky, you can really have some fun with this type of gardening.
There are many different kinds of objects you can use as a container – basically, as long as it can hold dirt, you can make a plant container out of it.
Here are some ideas on what you can use as a container garden:
- Tool Boxes
- Rain boots
- Dresser drawers
- Pots / Collanders
- Concrete blocks
- Stacked tires
- Washtubs
- Toy trucks
- Old paint cans
- Large cans (like the ones for pureed tomatoes)
- Large plastic soda bottles
- Large outdoor garbage cans
Just scroll through some of these images on Google for creative ideas for plant containers and I am sure you will be inspired and maybe just a little surprised. For sure you’ll have a few things in your home that you’ll be able to use!
Now, it’s true, my mother was not into “quirky” so I didn’t implement any of these ideas in her garden but I just thought they were too awesome to pass up and not tell you about them!
Container Gardening Tips
Now, there are just a few tips that I can give you when it comes to making container gardening safer for your elderly parent(s).
- The first thing I want to emphasize is that if you’re creating a container garden for your elderly mother or father, you want to make sure that the container is big enough that it won’t trip over it or knock it over. And in case there might be a need to move these containers it would be beneficial to use a lightweight product/container.
- Another note for moving plants, to avoid injury I would recommend placing containers on planter caddies (aka planter dollies).
- When upcycling or recycling a container to use as a garden make sure to make holes for drainage and I would recommend adding a layer of rocks at the bottom of the container so that your dirt doesn’t just seep out.
- Make sure that the placement of these containers is set up in such a way that you don’t have to overstretch to water or tend to the plants.
- For outdoor containers, a drip watering system is a great way to water container gardens. No need to hand-water each container. It’s surely a safer alternative for seniors.
- For indoor containers, a self-watering system can be used. You can buy some or you make your own with bottles. You can fill a long-necked bottle (plastic or glass) with water and invert it into a plant watering stake. Then put that in the soil OR you can punch holes in a plastic water bottom, bury it in the soil (but leave the opening above the soil) – fill it with water which will disperse through the holes.
Container gardening rules vary slightly from ground gardening so if you aren’t familiar with this type of planting I recommend Container Gardening For Beginners. It’s a great resource!
You need to pay more attention to your hanging and contained plants during the autumn months. Primarily, this is because they’ll be packed solid with roots and will require extra feeding, watering and deadheading to make sure they keep looking their best.
Berkeleyparks.co.uk
Raised Bed Gardening
Vertical gardening and gardening in containers are one of the best ways for senior citizens to continue their favorite hobbies despite joint pain or other physical limitations.
The advice for gardening in raised beds or elevated beds is generally the same as it is for container gardening. The main difference is the size.
Generally, raised beds are larger so they would require more soil and a larger footprint but they will also allow you to plant more plants, herbs, flowers, or vegetables.
So, depending on the space you have, the types of plants you want to care for and how much you want to spend on materials, you can make the decision whether a raised or elevated garden bed would work for you.
Here are some examples of the types of raised garden beds available.
Personally, I think a mixture of the two types would work best. You will just have to assess the needs and wants of your senior parent and what they can and cannot do safely.
Celebrate gardening with virtual garden tours during National Garden Week.
Is Gardening Good Exercise?
Of course, gardening can be wonderful exercise but the amount of exercise anyone would get depends on how much they are able to do, to begin with.
But what gardening does mostly for seniors is that it…
- Gets them moving!
- It’s a functional exercise in that a task is being performed (you’re not just running on a treadmill here!)
- It improves balance, sensory perception, and flexibility.
- The extra physical movements promote the release of endorphins and help to strengthen muscles (including the heart).
Even if your elderly mother or father is in a wheelchair, gardening can be performed with container gardens, raised beds, and even indoors.
Even from a wheelchair or seated position, the amount of exercise they are getting is much more than if they were just sitting in front of the television set.
For seniors who are living alone, the issue is always safety.
I would strongly recommend making sure that your senior loved one uses a medical alert device (that’s on them at all times) so that IF they were to lose their balance or fall or injure themselves somehow while gardening, they could get some help immediately.
I would recommend doing your gardening in the early morning or at dusk when the sun is not as harsh.
How Does Gardening Help Mental Health?
Gardening can help to improve not only physical but mental functioning as well – In a wonderful article in Psychology Today, author Sarah Rayner lists 10 benefits gardening provides for mental health:
- Looking after plants gives us a sense of responsibility.
- Gardening allows us to be nurturers.
- Gardening keeps us connected to other living things.
- Gardening helps us relax and let go.
- Working in nature releases happy hormones.
- Being amongst plants and flowers reminds us to live in the present moment.
- Gardening reminds us of the cycle of life, and thus come to terms with that most universal of anxieties: death.
- Some aspects of gardening allow us to vent anger and aggression…
- …while others allow us to feel in control.
- Last but not least, gardening is easy.
How Does Gardening Help The Brain?
As I’ve been saying, gardening is often thought of as a calming activity, and for good reason. Research has shown that gardening can help to reduce stress and anxiety, and it can also improve cognitive function.
This is especially important for the elderly, who are at greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Gardening helps to keep the mind active and engaged, and it can also provide a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
For family caregivers, gardening can be a social activity – a way to connect with their elderly loved ones while also providing them with an opportunity to get some exercise and fresh air.
And for those who don’t have their own garden, simply spending time in nature can have similar benefits.
Whether you’re tending to your own plants or taking a stroll through a nearby park, getting some time in the great outdoors is good for the mind and the soul.
