Gardening for Seniors: Tips and Tricks to Make the Process Easier
Gardening is a very enjoyable hobby, but it can be quite tedious, particularly as you age. Luckily, there are a few tips of the trade that make the various tasks you need to engage in just a little easier on you. In particular, tasks like weeding and watering can make your back and knees ache. Feeling badly the next day often takes a lot of the joy out of gardening, so it is important to do all you can to minimize these negative effects. The following tips are important for any senior gardener to follow.
The tools you select are important, because if you have the right ones, they will do much of the work for you. Heavier is not better; get rid of anything you have that is difficult for you to lift and replace it with tools that are lightweight. When you are picking them out, seek out tools that have offset handles; this will make your job much simpler. Finally, don’t be shy about modifying the tools that you buy. Handles can be easily changed so that they are more comfortable. For example, purchase some foam tubing and wrap the handle of your shovel in it. You shouldn’t have any trouble putting it on your tool, and your hands will thank you after a long day out in the garden!
Don’t underestimate how much a sharp tool can help you. When a tool is sharp, it is able to perform its job much better. That means you won’t have as much trouble manipulating it to get it to do what you want it to do. In addition, research which tools should be used for which tasks. If you are using the wrong product to help you do something, you are probably investing extra effort into the process. Sometimes a simple switch is all you need to save your back from experiencing pain.
Invest in a good pair of handle extenders. You can put these on just about any tool you use in the garden, including your shovel. They will keep you from bending over as much, therefore saving your back from some of the routine tasks that you need to engage in. Reachers are also a good idea, particularly if you suffer from arthritis. This product can assist you in getting rid of the debris in your garden and can help you gather your tools at the end of the day.
Consider planting perennials instead of annuals. This will cut down on the amount of planting that you need to do and allow you to invest your energies elsewhere. Also, do your research when it comes to which varieties of plants you put down in your space. This will ensure that you have plants that will bloom in the spring, summer and fall.
Many seniors enjoy gardening, although the process can be hard on them. Take the information included in this article, and use it to make the tasks you need to accomplish just a little bit easier to do.