Container Gardening

Container Gardening For Senior Health Container Gardening For Senior Health

Gardening is great exercise, has been proven to relieve stress and Gardening is great exercise, has been proven to relieve stress and improve healing, and rewards us with beautiful flowers, herbs, improve healing, and rewards us with beautiful flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Seniors with limited space or a mobility challenge and vegetables. Seniors with limited space or a mobility challenge can plant flowers, herbs, and vegetables in containers and raised can plant flowers, herbs, and vegetables in containers and raised beds. It’s a great way to connect with nature when the weather in beds. It’s a great way to connect with nature when the weather in your area permits. your area permits. While gardening can be difficult, sweaty work, there are ways While gardening can be difficult, sweaty work, there are ways for seniors to reap all of the benefits – physical, mental, and for seniors to reap all of the benefits – physical, mental, and emotional – without all of the heavy lifting. Container gardens emotional – without all of the heavy lifting. Container gardens are an easily accessible choice and can be kept on the balcony or are an easily accessible choice and can be kept on the balcony or terrace of a senior living apartment. You might be surprised by terrace of a senior living apartment. You might be surprised by how much you can grow in container gardens – everything from how much you can grow in container gardens – everything from azaleas to zucchini! azaleas to zucchini! Containers, window boxes, and raised flower beds all lend Containers, window boxes, and raised flower beds all lend themselves to senior-friendly gardens. You can make it even easier by choosing resin or plastic blend pots that are lighter to themselves to senior-friendly gardens. You can make it even easier by choosing resin or plastic blend pots that are lighter to move than those made from concrete or terra-cotta. move than those made from concrete or terra-cotta. A raised or elevated bed is another senior-friendly gardening A raised or elevated bed is another senior-friendly gardening solution, especially for those who struggle with balance or mobility. These kits can be purchased at a local lumber store or at solution, especially for those who struggle with balance or mobility. These kits can be purchased at a local lumber store or at online gardening sites. online gardening sites. Here are a few tips about growing herbs, vegetables, Here are a few tips about growing herbs, vegetables, or flowers in containers: or flowers in containers: Planning a container garden can be a fun activity for families to Planning a container garden can be a fun activity for families to do together, whether it’s researching which plants will do best in do together, whether it’s researching which plants will do best in a particular spot, gathering supplies, or helping with the set up of a particular spot, gathering supplies, or helping with the set up of containers, soil, and tables. containers, soil, and tables. Engage The Senses

Engage The Senses While younger and middle-aged adults tend to prefer gardens While younger and middle-aged adults tend to prefer gardens that are peaceful and still, older adults tend to look to gardens for that are peaceful and still, older adults tend to look to gardens for stimulation. Choose plants that engage all the senses. Consider stimulation. Choose plants that engage all the senses. Consider the bright colors and fragrance of flowers, herbs or vegetables the bright colors and fragrance of flowers, herbs or vegetables that delight the palate, and a small fountain for soothing water that delight the palate, and a small fountain for soothing water sounds. (Water also attracts songbirds, but be sure that the water sounds. (Water also attracts songbirds, but be sure that the water is continuously moving to avoid attracting mosquitoes, too.) is continuously moving to avoid attracting mosquitoes, too.)

Make It Accessible

Keep containers at the correct height for your loved one. Containers and tools should be kept at an easily accessible height that can be reached while seated in a regular chair or wheelchair.

Choose The Right Tools

Some garden tools can be unwieldy for seniors with arthritis or other physical limitations. Tools modified specifically for those with arthritis can be found online at arthritissupplies.com, while ergonomically designed tools with large handles can be found on amazon.com, and at many other retailers. Water With Care

Eliminate the challenge of filling and carrying a large watering can by using a few small, empty soda bottles. These bottles can be filled and transported easily in a walker or wheelchair bag. Or, families can fill several during a visit and leave them closed within easy reach outside.

Reap The Benefits!

Studies have shows that time spent in a garden reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and encourages healing. Plus, gardening is one of the few hobbies where you literally reap the benefits, whether those are beautiful flowers, tasty herbs, or juicy tomatoes!

IT’S ABOUT LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE AT DREWS PLACE

ASSISTED LIVING FOR SENIORS DREWS COUNTRY LIVING

517-437-0239 | www.drewsplaceal.com 1127 N. Lake Pleasant Road Hillsdale

Essentials GARDEN Written by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation staff EssentialsGardening Essentials

FLEXIBLE GARDEN GLOVES WITH CLAWS

BAMBOO BAMBOO GLOVES GLOVES

Not your Grandmas Garden Gloves! While these Garden Gloves with Claws may look like something from a horror movie, they are actually a big help in the garden. Great for making rows to plant seeds and light digging.

RAISED GARDEN BEDS

No room? No problem - Fabric raised beds are an easy solution if you don’t have a yard, or just don’t feel like digging. They are easy to set up – just unfold and fill with soil. They warm quickly but also release excess heat on those hot summer days and provide excellent drainage. Bamboo Gardening Gloves are quite a thing now. They are breathable and will keep your hands cool in the summer and warm in the fall. Their “bare-hand” sensitivity allows you to work with your phone touch screen without removing them.

HOSE

Flexible Garden Hose - Like skin, the sun also eventually damages your garden hose. Wrestling with a kinked and brittle hose is not fun! This hose is made from a hybrid polymer that stays flat and flexible and the best part - It coils easily for storage.

Garden row covers create a warm environment for your plants and protects them from critters, or in my case, cats that think the 4 x 4 raised bed is a litter box. The mesh top lets water in and warm air out, so your plants don’t overheat. This particular style provides loops for anchoring to the ground. It is also a pop-up which easily flattens for off-season storage.36 | Spring 2022 - Simply Seniors

GARDEN ROW COVERS

GARDEN KNEELER

It’s hard to avoid kneeling or stooping down while you garden, which can take its toll on your knees and back. A portable padded garden kneeler and seat is a necessity. It allows you to sit or kneel comfortably and some provide side pockets to carry your tools. They also fold for easy, convenient storage.

GARDEN CARTS

Garden carts can prove to be very useful for toting supplies such as mulch, soil, rocks, dirt, and tools. Depending on your needs and preference there are many different styles to choose from.

GARDEN SHOES & BOOTS

These are a must in the garden. They will protect your feet from the environment and the grips will help to prevent slipping in the mud and wet grass. They are typically made of rubber and water resistant, so your feet will stay dry and clean as you muck around in the garden. When you are done, just grab the hose and rinse off the mud and dirt. They also come in a variety of colors and patterns if you are feeling stylish.

PRUNING SHEARS

There will always be dead foliage, plants that need shaping, and stems and branches that need cutting. And lets not forget the beautiful flowers to display in your home or give as a gift. Pruning shears are perfect for all of the above. There are many different types, sizes, and weights so do your research and pick shears that best suit your needs.

JAPANESE SOIL KNIFE

This Hori Hori knife, also called a Japanese soil knife, is ideal for sawing off wayward roots and branches. The concave blade can be used for digging and has inch marks on the side you can use as a cheat sheet for planting bulbs.