Are you a senior with a green thumb who loves to spend time in the garden? If so, you should know that gardening isn’t just an entertaining hobby but benefits longevity and health. In fact, areas in the world called Blue Zones, with the most centenarians (people over 100 years old), have a significant shared characteristic: they garden frequently!
Just because the weather is getting colder doesn’t mean you can’t get outside and work in the yard. Fall is the perfect time to prep your garden and landscape for the spring. Below are tips for seniors who aren’t quite ready to put down the hoe and shovel this autumn.
Aerate Your Lawn
Those funny little holes in the ground are a head-scratcher for many people. But did you know aeration is your lawn’s best friend? Next time you stroll in the neighborhood, pay attention to the lawns that stand out, looking healthy and green. There is a good chance they are aerated in the fall and spring.
So what exactly is aeration? In a nutshell, aeration removes thatch and soil compaction, allowing for better water penetration and oxygen to get into the root grass’s root.
Many seniors prefer to hire a landscaper to aerate simply because of a misconception. You don’t need to own a fancy electric core aerator and plugger to get the job done. Manual lawn aerators are straightforward to use. They take a bit of pushing and pulling around the yard, but that’s beneficial for your healthy aways!
Plant Light Frost Vegetable
Just because it’s colder for you doesn’t mean certain plants don’t enjoy a little chill. Light-frost vegetables, also known as cold-tolerant, can survive and grow in lower temperatures. Among many recognizable vegetables are carrots, lettuce, turnips, cabbage, and beets. Don’t give up on getting your hands dirty in the cold soil.
Gardening, like yoga, pet therapy, and meditation, is a natural and healthy way to relax and lower your blood pressure. Don’t wait until spring to satisfy your green thumb!
Trim Bushes and Shrubs
We all need a haircut sometimes, and plants are no different. Trimming your bushes and foliage before winter promotes new growth in the spring and summer. According to Thriving Yard, Pruning stimulates growth if it is done correctly. Small nodes or regions along each plant structure contain growth hormones, and if you prune directly above them with a clean, sharp tool, these hormones are triggered to repair or regrow plant tissue.
Clear Out Vegetable Garden
Above, we discussed certain vegetables that can grow in low temperatures. After raising these light-frost veggies, it will be time to prepare your garden for winter. This is not only necessary for healthy harvesting in the spring and summer, but a great activity for seniors who have a green thumb.
The first step is to remove all weeds and dead vegetables, ensuring your garden won’t have diseased plants come springtime. Next, you will want to lightly till the soil, making it easier to plant next year. This might be difficult, especially for seniors who may not be as strong as their younger selves. That’s ok because next, adding a layer of compost to absorb nutrients and a layer of mulch to prevent soil erosion is necessary. Lastly, don’t forget to turn off your water system because the last thing you want is for your pipes to freeze.
Leaf Management
Nothing represents autumn quite like multi-colored tree leaves sprinkled around the lawn. However, leaving your leaves out all winter can ruin your yard and leave a nasty cleanup job come spring. For seniors looking to get a little more outdoor exercise, consider raking and bagging your leaves instead of hiring a landscaper. It is a great way to increase heart rate and get much-needed vitamin D. Don’t forget that your gutters must also be cleaned. For this dangerous job, we do recommend hiring help