One of the best things about gardening is that people of all ages and abilities can reap the benefits. Some folks with limitations need only use specific techniques or tools to make it happen. Some types of adaptation include:
Begin with stretches. Although your enthusiasm might be at a super high level, it’s important to stretch your muscles and ligaments before digging and planting. Fortunately, there are lots of sources of good exercises to use, starting with your doctor, physical therapist or trainer at the gym. Like putting toothpaste back in the tube after you’ve squeezed out too much, aches and pains encountered during gardening are much, much easier to prevent than cure.
Sunlight damage prevention. Young, middle-aged and senior gardeners can be sunburned without sun protection. Dermatologists often tell their patients that just a few minutes of full exposure can be damaging, the chronic effects of which lead to skin cancer. Like with stretching, sunlight damage is best prevented than cured. Long sleeve pants and shirts are great for this. A wide brimmed hat that covers the top of the ears and the back of the neck is another standard prevention. Slathering quality sunscreen on exposed skin is a must when it comes to preventing sunlight injury.
Be honest about time spent gardening. Especially for senior gardeners, it’s best to prioritize tasks and work on those first, stopping when they first begin to feel uncomfortable. Taking a break to sit in the shade is not a weakness, it’s just good common sense and self-care. During rest periods, reading books and blogs is a great way to garden without overexerting.
Containers – Yes! Containers and raised beds simply make gardening easier. Bending down to the ground just isn’t a good idea for many of us, regardless of age. Just about anything that can be grown in the ground – both veggies and flowers – can also be grown in a pot or a planter box, and in some cases, better.
Lift with Your legs, not your back. Young and old people alike can injure their back while gardening. It’s best to lift heavy objects by tucking your legs underneath your body, using your back and arms only to steady the load. If a heavy object is hard to lift, consider getting help from another gardener.
Protect the knees. Knee pain can often be prevented with the use of a kneeling pad or strap on pads for the knees. Knee pads are available at most garden centers and are well worth the modest investment as they can be used over and over again.
Garden Paths. Paths through the garden should be wide and easy to navigate. This means designing them a foot or two wider than you ever think they need to be and making them level or nearly so. Lining paths with small rocks and the occasional wind chime help gardeners with visual impairments make their way through the garden without falling.
Content from the National Garden Bureau is acknowledged for this post.
