If you love gardening and you’ve done it for many years, you’ll likely notice some differences in what you can accomplish as you age. Use the suggestions below for implementing some easy changes that will allow you to continue gardening as you get older.
Don’t substitute gardening for your regular exercise routine because specific results achieved from exercise such as cardio benefits cannot be achieved with gardening. Instead, if you find you don’t have time or energy for both gardening and exercise as you get older, consider simplifying your gardening activities to those you enjoy and perhaps hiring someone to perform time-consuming tasks such as raking or clean-up that are less enjoyable but time consuming.
Make sure that none of the medications you take or supplements you consume warns against exposure to sunlight. You can check with your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about sun exposure while taking specific medication.
Always bring a water bottle outside with you and make sure you drink from it. Staying hydrated is important at every age, and having a water bottle with you will encourage you to remember to drink water.
Always protect yourself from getting too much sunlight, which is important at every age but can result in more apparent impact as you get older, from the appearance of your skin to the appearance of your hair dye. If you’re losing your hair, make sure that your use of sunscreen extends to your scalp.
Buy a wheelbarrow for carrying plants and soil as well as other garden supplies from your garage or car to your garden. If the ground isn’t level enough in your garden to accommodate a wheelbarrow, look into smaller and lighter bags of supplies you need for gardening.
Don’t buy as many annuals or other plants that you’d like to include in your garden at one time as you used to when you were younger if you’re concerned that you won’t have the energy to plant everything at one time. You can save yourself the expense of having un-planted plants that are more susceptible to being knocked over or devoured by animals by purchasing fewer plants at one time.
Avoid digging into harder soil by using picks or shovels that can be high-impact threats to your joints. Determine whether there is another way to get through the hard soil that might take longer but will be kinder to your joints, or consider container planting in a spot with particularly hard soil.
If you’ve developed more sensitive skin or suffer from a condition such as diabetes, avoid plants with thorns or sharp edges in order to prevent injury and possible infection.
Break up or saw heavier branches that fall from trees rather than risking strain or injury by dragging them out of your garden. Be careful of the weight of anything you’re lifting as part of your gardening activities.
Gardening should remain a pleasant activity for you even as you get older. Use the suggestions above to make adjustments to your gardening style to accommodate your increasing age.