Grow old, grow green: Practical tips on gardening for the elderly

Gardening is a rewarding and productive activity that you can easily adapt to your lifestyle and capabilities. Hence, if you’re a senior with plenty of time on your hands, you may have thought about pursuing it as a pastime.

But before you sow the seeds of this hobby, there are various matters that you must know to ensure you’ll have a safe and fun time. These include the right plants to grow, routines to follow, and common challenges you might encounter, all of which are covered in this guide to gardening for the elderly.

Why gardening is good for the elderly

Three senior women gardening together in a backyard surrounded by blooming flowers (Source: iStock)

Why is gardening good for elderly people? This pastime brings a range of benefits for the holistic well-being of older individuals, covering their physical, mental, and emotional needs.

A workout for the body

One of the health benefits of gardening for the elderly is that it enables them to stay active regularly. Tasks that are not too exhausting, such as watering plants, removing weeds, monitoring pests, and carrying light pots, can help them maintain and improve their flexibility, strength, balance, and overall physical health.

A calm for the mind

Studies have shown that spending time in nature is good for one’s mental health. This means you will likely feel relaxed, content, less stressed, and more mentally fit if you habitually tend to your garden and enjoy the calm and beauty that it brings.

Everyday fulfillment

You can feel motivated and fulfilled every time you master a new gardening skill, accomplish a chore, and witness the gradual growth of your plants and the fruits of your labour.

Smart gardening strategies for seniors

Senior man trimming plants while others tend to flowers in a peaceful garden (Source: iStock)

Here are various pointers on how to make gardening easier for elderly individuals who are just starting the hobby and how to make it safe for them.

Plan a senior-friendly garden

A senior-friendly garden design integrates elements that reduce strain and promote comfort, including raised garden beds or boxes, seating edges and spaces for rest, shade against harsh sunlight, and non-slip walkways. The garden layout should also make space for wide paths where seniors in wheelchairs and those with limited mobility can pass through with ease.

Use different tools of the trade

Some gardening equipment that can make all the difference in terms of comfort and ease of use are long-handled garden tools for the elderly (such as telescopic pruners), which can reduce strain and improve reach. Lightweight and ergonomic options, such as hand trowels with rubberized handles, can also improve grip and efficiency.

Make small touches count

Thinking of adding gardening aids for seniors? You can incorporate lighting along pathways, add wheeled tool carts, install vertical gardens, and set up self-watering pots to make gardening more accessible.

Another way to make gardening easier is to choose the right type of soil and to pick plants that are easy to cultivate and maintain.

Choosing the best plants for seniors

Close-up view of a tomato plant being planted by an elderly gardener (Source: iStock)

Discover more gardening tips for seniors by reading these lists of the best plants to grow.

Low-care, high-reward plants

Building low-maintenance gardens for the elderly entails knowing which types of plants are easy to propagate, such as the following:

Plants that spark joy

Planting vegetables, fruits, and herbs like the ones below can definitely add sensory delight and lead to a healthier diet.

Seasonal inspiration

Here are plants you can cultivate at different times of year to keep your garden thriving all year round:

Simplifying garden routines

Sustainable gardening using drip irrigation for bell pepper cultivation (Source: iStock)

It’s important to adapt garden routines for elderly gardeners to maximize their benefits and reduce their risks.

Start small, think big

If you don’t have an existing garden yet, you can start small with a few raised beds or potted plants and choose low-maintenance varieties that won’t leave you feeling overworked and overwhelmed.

Maximize efficiency

Work smart and not too hard through strategies that maximize efficiency. These include planting in batches to ensure a continuous harvest, automating your drip irrigation system to conserve water, and using organic mulch to fertilize the soil and prevent weed growth.

Create a schedule that works

To keep this hobby fun and relaxing, you should not aim to complete all gardening tasks in the same day. Moreover, don’t take too long trimming bushes or watering plants without taking breaks; limit each session to 30 minutes at most to prevent exhaustion.

Gardening safely and confidently

Senior woman sitting on a garden stool, holding a mug and enjoying the greenery (Source: iStock)

Here are more ways to ensure that gardening is not just an enjoyable pursuit for older people but also a risk-free one:

Guard against strain

There are various devices you can use to protect your joints and muscles while gardening. These range from using kneeling pads and stools to warming up and cooling down before and after each session. Additionally, it’s not advisable to keep using broken tools since they can cause discomfort, unnecessary strain, and even injury.

Be mindful of the sun and weather

Being exposed to the brutal sun for a long time is an easy way to tire out. Because of this, it’s wise to do garden work at a cooler time of the day and wear suitable sun protection, such as a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight clothing that covers the whole body.

Additionally, don’t forget to stay hydrated with water and take breaks in the shade of a small tree or under a canopy.

Stay balanced

Apart from having a supply of gardening tools for the elderly, it’s also crucial to install stabilizers like safety handrails (where necessary) and to level uneven ground (if possible) to prevent slips and falls.

Gardening as a social endeavor

Community members of different ages working in a shared garden space (Source: iStock)

Gardening with others can greatly benefit elderly individuals, as socialising is an excellent way to stave off loneliness and boredom and to improve one’s overall health and well-being.

Build a gardening network

Why not invite fellow seniors in your area to form a gardening club where you can share horticultural tips and tricks? You can also join or help create a community garden where vegetables and other kinds of produce are grown.

Share the gardening bug

There are different ways to create precious memories with your family through gardening. These include teaching your grandkids how to sow seeds or trading flowering plants with your children.

You can also bond with your neighbors by introducing them to this form of recreation and working on gardening projects together.

Expert tips for elderly gardeners

Indoor hydroponics setup using glass jars to grow basil, mint, and thyme (Source: iStock)

Discussed below are more tips for senior gardeners to help them florish and find fulfilment in this hobby.

Go with the flow

Forcing yourself to follow strict schedules and self-imposed deadlines can take out the fun of gardening. Always listen to what your body tells you and work at a speed you are comfortable with to avoid turning a relaxing pastime into a stress-inducing one.

Discover new techniques

One tried-and-tested technique that can make gardening more convenient and accessible for you is hydroponics, which eliminates the need to handle soil and do yardwork. Another option is container gardening, which involves growing plants in pots, hanging baskets, planters, buckets, or other containers rather than in the ground.

Celebrate the process

Getting too hung up on your garden’s natural imperfections can take away the joy from this endeavor. Instead, choose to focus on the process while celebrating your small and big wins.

Addressing common gardening challenges

Various indoor houseplants in terracotta and plastic pots arranged on a shelf (Source: iStock)

Gardening presents some challenges that elderly people can easily work around through the right strategies and ways of thinking.

Can elders garden without a yard?

If you don’t have an outdoor space suitable for growing plants, there are still several indoor gardening options available. For instance, you can collect greenery on your balcony and windows or build a vertical garden in your living room.

What if gardening feels too overwhelming?

Being new to gardening and reading about all the things you must learn and do can be rather daunting. To avoid feeling overwhelmed before you even start this hobby, start small by trying low-maintenance plants and container gardening, attending hands-on workshops, and setting feasible goals.

Finding and getting gardening help

Senior woman holding gardening tools while a young man carries a potted plant (Source: iStock)

If you need help acquiring information and gardening assistance for the elderly, check out community resources and reach out to expert gardeners near you.

Explore community resources

The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s website contains an array of resources that older gardeners may find useful and interesting. These include a list of growing guides and a location-specific planting calendar. To search for local gardening groups that you can join, you can check out the American Community Gardening Association’s interactive map.

If you’re looking for free gardening services for the elderly, you can contact groups that can link you to volunteer gardeners and yard workers, such as the nonprofit I Want To Mow Your Lawn.

Reach out to gardeners on Airtasker

In need of gardening help for seniors? You can seek out skilled, experienced gardeners who can assist you with lifting heavy pots, pruning leaves, removing weeds, or handling tedious garden maintenance tasks. You can also ask them for expert tips to help you excel in your horticultural hobby.

With Airtasker, finding a gardening pro can be done from the comfort of your home. All you need to do to reach out to them is sign up on the platform and post a task with all the relevant details about the service you need done.