Have you always been interested in the benefits of gardening, but never knew where to start? Gardening is a favorite hobby of many active adults. Gardeners find working outdoors with their hands soothing, healing, and fun. You don’t need a big investment or plot of land to become a gardener, anyone can get started! Here are a number of tools, techniques, and best practices designed to simplify your gardening experience:
Practice on a Community Garden
Whether you live in a condo with limited yard space, or you are intimidated by your large yard – a community garden is a friendly starting place for beginners. Not only will you be taught by others, but you will help maintain the garden! Many recreation clubs have community gardens available to practice on. The benefits of a community garden include: nutrient-rich soil, raised beds, and tools available for use. Some of our communities even have a community garden for your use! Find out if your local community has one.
Grow Plants Using Seed Tape
Seed tape is fantastic for easy, no-waste planting. Seed tape is a strip of biodegradable paper that is lined with seeds all ready to plant. You simply lay these in a garden area and cover them with dirt. Also, try incorporating plants that heighten the sense of touch or smell. Plants that activate our senses are beneficial for memory care. Studies have shown that our sense of smell is closely linked to our brain’s emotion centers. That is why planting soothing smelling flowers can be calming and mood enhancing.
Utilize Vertical Gardens and Hanging Planters
A common complaint of gardening is the back-strain caused by bending over to reach the ground. By using a vertical garden, you will remove the need to bend and squat down! A vertical garden is a garden that grows upwards, and they are available online and at gardening or home improvement stores. Another option is hanging plants, which are not only a beautiful decoration but they also make it easier to water and take care of. Vertical gardens and hanging plants are also easy and wonderful ways to garden on your patio or balcony!
Garden at the Right Time of Day
To prevent sunburn, dehydration, and heat exhaustion in the summertime, try to avoid the harsh hours between 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Try gardening in the morning or evening hours, and always remember to wear the proper gear: long sleeve shirts, pants, gloves, a hat, and sunglasses. Ensure that you are well rested, drink plenty of water, and eat a healthy meal beforehand. It is important to know your personal limitations and don’t push them!
At Rittenhouse Village, we encourage our residents to continue to be active and pursue the hobbies and interests that they love. That is why we keep a full activities calendar with a wide variety of options for our residents to participate in. All of our activities are fun, safe, engaging, and open to participants of all skill levels! Take a look at our activities calendar today and join in on the fun!
