Gardening and Aging

Well, the time has come. It’s time to admit to myself that I can no longer work in my yard like I once did. Getting older is no fun, especially if, through the years, you’ve enjoyed gardening, and I certainly have. Not only is gardening enjoyable, but it also offers health benefits – bending, lifting, digging, and soaking up some vitamin D. While those activities are all good, some become more challenging as we age. So, if you’re like me and don’t want to quit, maybe you’d appreciate some tips on doing what you love without working hard. Work smarter, not harder.

Let’s start with your tools. A ratcheting pruner, telescoping pruner, fulcrum weeder, quick-release hose connector, and a lightweight garden hose are just a few ergonomic tools available and worth the investment. Kneelers are a godsend, as are a few benches or seats throughout your yard for taking much-needed breaks to sit and admire all that hard work.

Consider diminishing the size of your gardening area. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you might think about turning a bed or two back to turfgrass. After fighting it for years, I realized that finding someone to mow the yard is easier on my back. If you can afford to get a garden helper periodically, go for it. I look forward to that help at least once a year.

If you don’t like the idea of turfgrass, consider ground covers around your shrubs instead of spreading mulch every year. Some to think about are moss phlox (Phlox subulata), woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata), or one of my non-native favorites, bugleweed (Ajuga spp.). For shady areas, think about native ferns or Canadian wild ginger (Asarum canadense). Those shady areas actually require minimal care, as most weeds are sun lovers, so you won’t have to contend with many weeds.

Rule number one should be STOP! Just stop buying new plants and creating new garden beds. That’s a hard one for me, as I just can’t resist trying something new, and yet I know I won’t be around to see that tree grow to maturity. Keep it simple if you can’t resist the urge. Plant shrubs instead of perennials. Shrubs afford more value for less work, and they add structure. Evergreens offer year-round color and are certainly easier to maintain. At any rate, choose reliable plants, under most conditions, with low maintenance needs.

Mulch is important for several reasons. It looks nice and freshens up your yard; it reduces a lot of weeds and helps keep much-needed moisture in the soil. But it doesn’t have to be expensive. We have several oak trees on our property, and while they shed a lot of leaves, we make good use of most of them. We use them as mulch in our beds. After storing fallen leaves for at least a year to allow sheltering insects to finish their life cycle, we shred leaves into fine bits and spread them on the grass to help revitalize the turf.

Raised beds and containers are two more ways to enjoy gardening without much back strain. When I say containers, I don’t mean those little four-inch pots. In this case, bigger is better, especially when watering them.

Before you go out to work in your yard, make a list of what you plan to do on a given day. Set some priorities. You’ll have a feeling of accomplishment when you get things done.

Finally, try to be attentive to the areas where you spend the most time or are most visible to you from inside your home. Take in your surroundings and try to make good use of them. Everything does not have to be perfect. Get some good exercise in the garden, but remember it should be enjoyable.