Senior garden plans: a look at gardening in retirement

By modifying your gardening tools and techniques, you'll never be too old to see out your garden plans. Gardening is important for older people on a number of levels, from flexibility and fitness to emotional health.

Modify your gardening habits

Older people have lower fitness, agility and flexibility levels, and this affects the types of tools they can use, as well the particular activities they can engage in. It also means the physical landscape itself needs to be modified to make life easier.

Use common sense

Older people should not underestimate the changes that have occurred in their bodies as they have aged, but nor should they overestimate them. Assess which particular abilities may have lessened, and cater for them. Don't try to take on too much. But be positive and do what you can to stay active in the garden.

Elevate your garden beds

With reduced flexibility, older people find it harder to bend over and crouch for long periods of time. So consider raising garden beds to a more comfortable height, or place empty pots on raised surfaces before adding soil and plants.

Use smaller tools

There are shovels and spades available that have smaller bales and don't lift as much soil. These are easier to use if you have reduced strength. Trowels and miniature forks are also worth considering. With these implements, the older gardener can still dig and turn soil, but more slowly and carefully. 

Choose low-maintenance plants

Consider plants don't require too much maintenance to survive and prosper. This means fewer annuals, perennials and bulbs and more permanent shrubbery.

Design a sensory garden

As we age, many of our senses fade, so the more sensory stimulation our gardens provides, the better. Think plants with fragrant flowers and foliage; water features that trickle and gurgle; plants with interesting shaped leaves and branches; and plants that attract native birds and insects.

Contact a nursery in your area today to find out ways you can keep your garden plans going all year round: