March has arrived and whether it came in like a lion or a lamb, our thoughts are beginning to turn to warmer days, sunshine, flowers and gardening. For many seniors who have been cooped up much of the winter, puttering in the garden is a welcome activity that stimulates the senses as well as providing physical activity.
Gardening is a hobby nearly three quarters of all seniors over 55 enjoy but as we age, the bending, lifting and kneeling as well as heat and insects can present a challenge. There are many way to adapt the garden to make it more senior friendly.
Gardening is a hobby nearly three quarters of all seniors over 55 enjoy but as we age, the bending, lifting and kneeling as well as heat and insects can present a challenge. There are many way to adapt the garden to make it more senior friendly.
- Add benches placed in shady areas for a convenient rest
- Use a kneeling pad or bench and get up slowly
- Bring along a water bottle to prevent dehydration
- Use sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat for sun protection
- Bend at the knees to prevent hip injury
- Considered raised beds for easier access or vertical gardens using trellises or other supports
- Avoid hanging baskets which dry out quickly and can be hard to reach
- Try to garden early in the day or in the evening when it’s coolest
- Enlist family to do the heavy lifting
- Wear sturdy shoes
- Paint tool handles bright colours so they can be found easily
- For seniors who may wander, a fenced garden with a locked gate provides a safe environment
For those in apartments or retirement residences, container gardening can keep the hobby alive. Place pots on casters for easier moving and consider setting up a simple irrigation system for automatic watering.
Many communities are now creating shared green spaces for gardening, a movement that many seniors will remember from the post war era as “Victory Gardens”. The initiative not only gets people outside, growing their own food, but also creates an opportunity for cross-generational interaction.
Check with your municipality for community garden projects. Visit or call your local permit office for more information.
Many communities are now creating shared green spaces for gardening, a movement that many seniors will remember from the post war era as “Victory Gardens”. The initiative not only gets people outside, growing their own food, but also creates an opportunity for cross-generational interaction.
Check with your municipality for community garden projects. Visit or call your local permit office for more information.