Gardening, A Healthful Hobby for Seniors

Gardening, A Healthful Hobby for Seniors

Gardening can be the perfect activity for seniors, or anyone, of any age. Not only can it provide some exercise and fresh air, both of which are important to good health, but it can also nourish your creativity and help ease boredom.

Container gardening is a great way to nourish your green thumb. You can experiment with tons of different styles, plus, the small space can be made to work well in a variety of environments. It doesn't matter if you own your own yard, or garden area, or if you only have the balcony space on your patio to work with.

Start by coming up with a garden plan by looking at online gardening sites, or in gardening magazines for the different garden plans you like, and then scale those to a size to fit your garden area.

You may choose to grow vegetables and herbs, so you can grow your own healthy food. Maybe you will decide to grow colorful flowers in your garden that will also attract birds and butterflies.

You can have a planter filled with just one type of plant, or mix them up in combinations that you like. Finding the containers really can be half the fun of this type of gardening for seniors.

There is a large selection of commercial planters for you to choose from, or you can visit garage sales, as well as craft fairs, and flea markets for just the perfect item (This is where the fun can really be found, and really helps gardening be healthy for seniors.

Make sure that it is something that will drain properly, and choosing a container, or planter that is light enough and can be moved easily will also allow you to bring your garden indoors during bad weather.

Different levels of plants can make even tiny spaces look flourishing. You can even talk to your nursery about dwarf varieties of your favorites.Soil is crucial to potted plants. Make sure that it is good quality potting soil, and that you will have proper drainage.

For containers that you cannot or do not want to drill holes into, add packing peanuts or gravel to the bottom third of the planter to help the roots drain.For container gardens, look for plants that do not need a lot of pruning. Remove dead flowers and weed as needed.

A good fertilizer and plenty of watering can do wonders for your garden as well. Watch carefully the amount of water you give your plants, since containers can dry out quickly.Keep in mind your planting area when choosing plants. Some plants do well indoors, others like it better out. Some need full sun, while others do fine in the shade.

Your local nursery will be able to give you recommendations. Gardening can be a therapeutic activity, and it is unlimited in its creative applications. Herbs can be a great choice, since they are easy to grow anywhere.

Plus, for the person who loves to cook, it can be wonderful to have fresh herbs regularly available. Consider the size and direction a plant will grow when arranging your planters. Some grow up, others grow over and down, and so you will want to keep this in mind.

Annuals should be packed into pots. This will root-bind them, making them grow up and over for a more fantastic display.Look into equipment that makes gardening easier for seniors. Special tools, gloves, cushions, and more can make gardening an enjoyable activity even for those with disabilities or movement impairments. Make sure your garden is accessible to you.

Container gardens can be placed in a variety of places, making them easily accessible to seniors. Even if you or a senior gardening friend cannot physically garden anymore, living plants can be a cheerful addition to any home. Enlist the help of friends, neighbors, or caregivers in keeping plants and flowers around.