How to Keep Gardening Fun and Safe As We Age

What are some of the common challenges that gardeners might face as they age that they will need to adapt to?

Well, for starters, our joints don't work quite as well as they once did, oftentimes not as strong as we were when we were in our 30s.

There are a lot of things that we can do.

I'd like to go through those specifically.

But first, overall, I just want to thank you for having this presentation available to people.

My background has been working with all ages and abilities and encouraging universal design.

And one thing we know is that gardening is one of the very best things we can do all through our lifetime.

But as we age, it is something that keeps us feeling better, keeps us connected with our community.

And I really believe that this is one of the best things we can do as master gardeners is encouraging each other to continue to garden.

Definitely.

So how do our priorities change as we age in the garden?

Well, The number one thing that I have told people is make sure that your balance is good because what you absolutely do not want to do is fall.

But our priorities continue on developing community.

And I think that's something that it gets easily overlooked that as we get older, sometimes we feel like, well, we'd really just rather stay home than get out and do some of the things that we've done in the past.

But very few things are as important as getting fresh air, being outside, moving.

And of course, growing something just makes you feel good.

So I would say you start with a commitment that you want to continue to garden.

And then we will talk as we go along here today about ways that we can make those gardening habits easier for ourselves.

I'd start really from the top in answering your questions.

Just don't anticipate that we're going to be able to do the same thing that we could do in our 20s and 30s.

But we can continue to garden and to be somebody that is a mentor to others.