{"id":1591,"date":"2026-09-02T20:16:39","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T00:16:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/?p=1591"},"modified":"2026-09-02T20:16:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T00:16:40","slug":"tips-and-tricks-for-senior-gardeners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/2026\/09\/tips-and-tricks-for-senior-gardeners\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips and Tricks for &#8216;Senior&#8217; Gardeners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>by Anne Wiskind, Fulton County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This article is part of Garden Buzz, a series from Appen Media and the North Fulton Master Gardeners, where rotating columnists explore horticulture topics like herbs, insects, and wildlife conservation.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.appenmedia.com\/opinion\/columnists\/garden_buzz\/\">Find all Garden Buzz articles here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not that any of this applies to you, but in case you are \u201casking for a friend&#8230;\u201d Read on!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gardening is the second most common leisure activity for older adults. The personal benefits of gardening are well-established: stress relief, exercise, fitness and regulation of emotions. As we age, gardening also protects our cognitive function and improves our ability to focus. It gives us a sense of accomplishment, which boosts our overall health and happiness. Studies show gardening promotes positive aging and may lower the risk of dementia by up to 36 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who can turn down an opportunity to dig in the dirt? However, with aging we may develop mobility, functional and physical limitations. Read on for smart gardening suggestions to protect and extend our abilities to garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Protect aging skin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Skin becomes thinner and more sensitive as we age, increasing the risks of cuts, scraps and rashes. Wear long sleeves, gloves and pants to protect your skin. Always use SPF sun protection and a hat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Minimize pain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aching muscles and joints are often an obstacle for older gardeners, particularly low back pain, neck pain, shoulder tendonitis, carpal tunnel and kneecap bursitis. A few ways to deal with these issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Limit bending over by using a garden bench\/seat and long tools for weeding.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep all your tools handy with a garden tool belt or a rolling cart.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Water efficiently with drip systems or soaker hoses or use lightweight expandable hoses to minimize hauling heavy hoses around the yard.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prioritize mulching to decrease weeds and watering requirements.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minimize hand and wrist fatigue with lightweight, ergonomic tools designed for \u201cexperienced\u201d fingers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Using long-handled tools such as a stirrup or diamond tipped hoe can really simplify weeding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use garden augers attached to any power drill to make planting bulbs and small plants easier and cut through those pesky roots.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2026\/09\/6a5788dae464f.image_.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"806\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2026\/09\/6a5788dae464f.image_-1024x806.png\" alt=\"A metal cart on an asphalt driveway that contains a green kneeling pad, tool bag with gardening gloves, floral sleeves, and a stirrup hoe.\" class=\"wp-image-1594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2026\/09\/6a5788dae464f.image_-1024x806.png 1024w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2026\/09\/6a5788dae464f.image_-300x236.png 300w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2026\/09\/6a5788dae464f.image_-768x605.png 768w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2026\/09\/6a5788dae464f.image_-1536x1209.png 1536w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2026\/09\/6a5788dae464f.image_.png 1622w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tools for smart gardening: rolling cart, garden tool pouch, garden sleeves, sunhat, stirrup hoe. Image by Anne Wiskind.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prevent injury<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>injuries from gardening<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>come from heavy lifting and repetitive motion, such as hauling bags of soil and weeding. Recent research has focused on gardening biomechanics and ergonomics to prevent injury. Here are some recommendations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Break up gardening tasks into 20\u201330-minute increments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Change your body position and grip during longer activities.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Warm up your body with stretching or a short walk before gardening.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take breaks to stretch during your gardening and especially afterward.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Counter the effects of gardening on your body with swimming and yoga.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recruit help if you are unable to safely complete a task.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use raised beds and containers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Raised garden beds and container gardening can allow us to continue to benefit from gardening with fewer physical demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The higher the raised bed, the less need for bending and stretching. Raised bed soil is loose, well-draining, and free of contamination from pests and weeds. Raised beds can be freeform, square or rectangular, are usually wood or metal and may be on wheels or elevated to facilitate gardening from a wheelchair.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Metal raised beds are usually galvanized steel, coated with a zinc alloy to prevent rusting. They can be ordered online in numerous sizes, colors and configurations. Selection usually depends on available space and access to a water source. The height should be at least 3 feet to limit bending. To minimize stretching, the width is typically 2 feet but may be as wide as 4 feet if the bed is accessible on all sides. The depth of an elevated bed should be at least 18 inches, and 24 inches or deeper is ideal. Ensure adequate drainage. Low maintenance plants such as daylilies, herbs, hostas, coral bells and succulents are likely to thrive in a raised bed with minimal care. Raised beds are food-safe and ideal for raising vegetables.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can make large containers easier to move around by reducing the weight and filling the bottom with pinecones or recycled water bottles before adding potting soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While bagged raised bed soil is excellent quality, filling a large, raised bed with bagged soil and compost can be expensive. Other options for filling a raised bed are the \u201clasagna method\u201d and \u201ch\u00fcgelkultur\u201d (an old German technique). With the lasagna method, the bed is filled with alternating layers of green and brown material. The green layer consists of vegetable scraps, garden trimmings and grass trimmings. The brown layer includes dry leaves, shredded newspaper, peat and pine needles and should be twice as thick as the green layers. Garden soil is placed on top. With h\u00fcgelkultur, a layer of cardboard is placed at the bottom of the bed, followed by decaying logs, thinner sticks, 12 inches of compost and topped with garden soil.&nbsp;&nbsp;Both methods are inexpensive and sustainable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You are never too old to enjoy the experience of planting and the wonder of watching things grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Happy gardening!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Visit us the second and fourth Saturdays at the Alpharetta Farmers Market and the third Saturday at the Sandy Springs Farmers Market. We will also have a booth at the Crabapple Festival in Milton on October 3, 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learn More<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4469628\/\">Gardening Activities and Physical Health Among Older Adults: A Review of the Evidence<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/joegardener.com\/podcast\/how-to-maintain-gardening-body-movement-expert-katy-bowman\/\">How to Maintain Your Ultimate Gardening Tool, Your Body, Podcast #367<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6977207\">Positive Aging Benefits of Home and Community Gardening Activities<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"936\" height=\"808\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2025\/07\/Anne-Wiskind-headshot.jpg\" alt=\"portrait of the author in front of trees\" class=\"wp-image-1279 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2025\/07\/Anne-Wiskind-headshot.jpg 936w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2025\/07\/Anne-Wiskind-headshot-300x259.jpg 300w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2025\/07\/Anne-Wiskind-headshot-768x663.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 936px) 100vw, 936px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This week\u2019s \u201cGarden Buzz\u201d guest columnist is Anne Wiskind, a Master Gardner since 2024. She is a life-long gardener with an active interest in protecting pollinators and encouraging biologic diversity. Anne does most of her gardening at her lake house in Blairsville, Georgia. She is appreciative of her mentors in the North Fulton County Master Gardeners.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Anne Wiskind, Fulton County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer This article is part of Garden Buzz, a series from Appen Media and the North Fulton Master Gardeners, where rotating columnists explore horticulture topics like herbs, insects, and wildlife conservation.&nbsp;Find all Garden Buzz articles here. Not that any of this applies to you, but in case [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":458,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,22,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-community-gardening","category-container-gardening","category-master-gardener"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1591","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/458"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1591"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1591\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1595,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1591\/revisions\/1595"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1591"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}