Are you looking for an engaging hobby that will help you stay active, meet some new friends, and give you a sense of accomplishment? Gardening is an accessible, fun, and fulfilling pursuit that many seniors adore. If you’ve never tried it, use these gardening tips for seniors to get started on the right foot.
Why Should Seniors Garden?
Gardening is one of the most popular post-retirement pastimes. From the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors to the satisfaction one gets from helping something grow, it’s easy to see why gardening appeals to so many people. Seniors with green thumbs enjoy several unique benefits:
- Reconnecting with nature provides natural health benefits for seniors. A gardening habit can lead to lower rates of stress and anxiety and improved sleep and cardiovascular health. Senior gardeners are also less likely to deal with chronic health conditions and get more physical activity than non-gardeners.
- Gardening can give seniors a renewed sense of purpose in retirement. Gardening is also shown to improve self-esteem and is correlated with higher rates of happiness and satisfaction.
- Gardening gets seniors out of the house, giving them the chance to connect not just with nature but also with their larger community. Through this hobby, seniors can make new friends, learn new things, and stay motivated to remain active.
Are you ready to get your hands dirty? If you aren’t sure how to get started, let these gardening tips for seniors guide you.
Use Adaptive Technology
If you have mobility issues, you might think that gardening is outside of the range of your abilities. The good news is that there are plenty of adaptive tools that can make gardening accessible to seniors who need a little extra support. Raised beds and large planters can let you garden without sitting or standing in awkward positions, and ergonomically designed tools with larger handles can make gardening tasks easier for those with arthritis. With a little research, you can find all kinds of ways to make gardening work for you.
Plant a Low-Maintenance Crop
For senior gardeners, fussy plants like bonsai trees aren’t always the best fit for a low-stress hobby. You can make gardening simpler by planting things that require little maintenance to thrive, like hardy perennial flowers. Herbs are also known for being plentiful crops that are easy to grow with little effort. You can even find fruits and vegetables that are easy to maintain, like strawberries and tomatoes.
Make Your Garden Welcoming
Gardening can help you connect to your neighborhood and community by keeping you outdoors and active. So, why not make the garden a place you share with others? You can add a bird feeder to your garden to entice the local fauna to stop by, or put out some chairs and invite a friend over for tea. There’s also no better way to befriend a neighbor than fresh fruit or flowers from your very own garden.
Try Indoor Gardening
If outdoor space is unavailable, you can still have your very own indoor garden with a little creative planning. Indoor gardens are great options for seniors because they’re easy to maintain and can provide fresh air and a touch of green to any senior living space. Try starting with a few pots of herbs in the kitchen or a spider plant or two on a windowsill.
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We hope these gardening tips for seniors will inspire you to bring your own green space to life. Happy planting!
Are you looking for a community that provides a positive, healthy atmosphere where your loved ones can enjoy their golden years? The Shores of Lake Phalen may be just the place. It’s an assisted living and memory care community in a quiet, peaceful environment in Maplewood, Minnesota. Surrounded by a gorgeous wooded setting between two lakes, our residence offers the accessibility of apartment-style housing with the atmosphere and elegance of a resort. We offer numerous health and safety amenities, fun events and activities, and a friendly and accommodating staff. To learn more, schedule a tour of the community, give us a call at 651-777-7784, or send us a message online.
P.S. Check out our blog post Minnesota Gardening Tips!