Garden Care Tips For Seniors and the Elderly
There can be a lot of uncertainty in life, but one thing that is certain for most of us is that we’ll get old. The older we get, the harder it can be to do things we once used to manage with ease. Gardening is an excellent example of that.
We may have once somersaulted through the garden, trimmed hedges within minutes, and dangled from the tallest branches, but getting older can make it hard to even drag a heavy garden hose around the lawn.
If you’re not quite ready to hand over the reins to someone else, consider these helpful tips to make lawn care and gardening just that little bit easier.
Benefits of Gardening for Seniors
Firstly, let’s look at why gardening can be so beneficial for seniors in the first place. It’s an enjoyable form of exercise, reduces stress, helps with mobility and flexibility, and even makes sure you maintain the use of all your motor skills.
So, while you might hand over some of those trickier tasks like hedge trimming to experts, there is undoubtedly value in continuing to do as much for yourself as possible.
Plant Low-Maintenance Plants
With a lifetime spent in the gardens, it’s easy to think about planting the things you like rather than what you can manage. The reality is, high-maintenance plants can require more labour than you’re able to cope with.
For example, rhododendrons are gorgeous but crave your attention 24/7. They want temperatures of 18°C and plenty of humidity, and they don’t like it when their soil is too alkaline. You may be forever pouring vinegar into the ground and doing soil pH tests. The Wandering Jew is also a beautiful plant, but you constantly need to pinch back the growing tips.
Talk to your local gardening centre about different low-maintenance plants that can grow without you needing to spend hours in the dirt each week.
Use Raised Beds
Your knees, hips, and back are probably not what they used to be. For extra comfort or to alleviate any pain you’ve been experiencing, consider making or purchasing raised garden beds. They allow you to stand in a more comfortable position while tending to your plants.
Raised garden beds can be as simple as wood frames set high on your lawn or ready-made self-sufficient planters on wheels with shade covers and water irrigation.
Change Your Watering Process
As time passes, dragging a gardening hose around your property and carrying heavy watering cans can soon take its toll. Fortunately, there are other options you may like to consider. Built-in water irrigators can be a convenient and cost-effective way to make sure your plants receive as much water as they need.
You may also see the value in a rain barrel for water collection within close proximity to the garden beds that require the most watering.
Focus On Soil Quality
It can be hard work trying to keep plants alive that are determined to die. You may find yourself spending an awful amount of time outside in the elements, praying to the plant gods to please let your precious petunias live.
But just as a house needs a solid foundation, so do most plants. Focus your attention on soil, and most of your plants can take care of themselves. This means you may need to visit your local garden centre for fertiliser, mulch, and compost and brush up on your pH soil testing skills.
Protect Yourself
It’s much harder to bounce back from gardening injuries as you get older, particularly if you are living with a chronic illness or disability. Even if you’re only going to be pruning a couple of branches, put your safety first.
Wear long-sleeved pants and shirts, and make sure you wear gloves that can withstand a rose thorn at a minimum. If you’re not competent working at heights, leave your tree trimming and hedge care in the capable hands of gardening experts.
If some tasks require power equipment like chainsaws and trimmers, question whether you’re best to leave these jobs to a family member, friend, or reputable lawn care business.
Most importantly, don’t forget to take breaks. Purchase lovely garden seating that you can use to admire your efforts and drink plenty of water. If you’re working in the sunshine, don’t forget to wear a hat and sunscreen.
Ask For Help
Even though your mind says you are more than capable of tackling all garden-related tasks, your body might say otherwise. It’s okay to ask for help if you’re no longer able to manage your garden comfortably or you need some ideas on how to make the process easier.
Crewcut is more than happy to assist with all your gardening requirements, from lawn mowing and hedge trimming to tree pruning, gardening, and everything in between. Why not contact the friendly team and find out how they can help?