Container Gardening for Elder Garden Lovers
Once a gardener, always a garden lover. Growing plants is such an enjoyable and fulfilling past time but for many senior citizens it becomes difficult to continue. Perhaps physical disabilities prevent them from handling the usual gardening chores. Or they may even be housebound. Maybe they had to downsize to smaller quarters.
Container gardening could be the answer. Once planted, container gardens are nearly maintenance free; eliminating the problem of strenuous garden chores. And planters come in just about any size, shape and material making them ideal for any location – a porch or deck, or even a corner of a room.
Hanging baskets can be hung on a porch or near a window. Tiered plant stands can hold several rows of plants without taking up a lot of room. Containers that are a little larger can be placed on a “Plant Dollie” for ease in moving.
The selection of plants and flowers are so varied that there is certainly something that will grow in just about any location from full sun on a porch to a room with some light coming in a window. There are plants that grow bushy or tall and straight. Plants that are viney and will cascade down the side of a planter, or some that are compact and remain tiny. Many types of roses, and even some small trees will do well in containers.
Many senior gardeners have a favorite plant or flower and would be thrilled to continue to be able to grow them. My parents had to move from their three story house down to a smaller one level due to aging disabilities. My mom had to leave her beautiful rose garden and my dad had to give up his vegetable garden.
It was a hard adjustment for them to move. Fortunately, their home has a porch, so even though they are no longer able to go out to do “gardening” my mom has a rose bush with pretty pink roses and my dad has two tomato plants. And he proudly showed me the tomatoes starting to bloom.
Studies had been done about the health and mental state of seniors, showing that both improved when they were given the responsibility to care for plants or a pet. Since caring for pets can be a problem in itself, I recommend plants. They are easy to acquire and maintain and give lots of pleasure.
If you know of a senior citizen, perhaps someone related to you, who may be a former gardener, living alone and needing some cheering up – perhaps they need a “container garden.”