Getting Out in the Garden

Cultivating a garden is a great activity for seniors, it’s fun, purposeful, and provides numerous health benefits.

Gardening Lowers Stress

Studies have found that gardening can lower levels of cortisol which can alleviate stress and even reduce high blood pressure. Plus, being out in the sunlight and creating a beautiful space to rest and relax will bring peace and a reduction in anxiety.

Gardening also increases serotonin, a chemical in the brain that increases mood and feelings of calmness and peace.

Gardening Boosts Heart Health and Increases Mobility

Gardening is a moderately intense exercise and can count towards the expert recommended 30 minutes of exercise daily. A study from Stockholm found that regular gardening can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by as much as 30% for people over 60.

In addition to being a great form of physical exercise, gardening can increase mobility and strength. Keeping lesser used muscles engaged, gardening has been shown to be a productive way of rebuilding strength and mobility following a stroke. Activities in the Garden

While planting, watering, and weeding are all typical gardening activities, there are other ways senior adults can get pleasure from the garden. Learning to pair flowers and vegetables, harvesting produce for food and food preparation can be great educational experiences for residents.

There is also a large amount of sensory enjoyment one can get from a garden, including smelling, touching, looking, listening, and remembering. Safe Gardening Tips for Seniors

Some medical conditions and physical disabilities may restrict or prevent older people from participating in gardening. However, with planning and a few changes, you can create a safe, accessible, and pleasant space.

Garden spaces, tools and equipment can be modified or adapted to help reduce the physical stress associated with gardening for older people, for example: • using vertical planting to make garden beds accessible for planting and harvesting – try using wall and trellis spaces • raising beds to enable people with physical restrictions to avoid bending and stooping • finding adaptive tools and equipment – these are available from some hardware shops • using foam, tape, and plastic tubing to modify existing tools for a better grip • using lightweight tools that are easier to handle • providing shade areas for working in summer months • having stable chairs and tables to use for comfortable gardening • making sure that there is a tap nearby or consider installing a drip feeder system for easy watering Creating a Gardening Club

out in the garden on a regular basis, but if there’s no one at your village with the type of green thumb it takes to run a gardening club, there is help out there, for example, The Yates Garden Club.

The Yates Garden Club is perfect for both first time and experienced home gardeners. Whether you want to grow fresh vegies and herbs, indoor plants, roses and other flowers, Yates Garden Club have trusted gardening advice to help.

As a member you’ll receive a monthly gardening email with what seeds and plants to grow that month, exciting newly released plants Yates has discovered, plus timely projects and problems to watch out for.

Visit www.yates.co.nz for more information.