Retirement brings with it one obvious advantage for the keengardener… time. Depending on your
lifestyle, you can devote as many hours as
you wish to your favourite pastime and finally achieve the garden of your
dreams.
The health benefits of gardening are far reaching –
especially for those of an older generation. It is a gentle but thorough
workout. Even in a modest sized garden, you can soon clock up the miles,
walking to and from the shed, emptying the wheel-barrow and chasing the cat out
of the Begonias.
especially for those of an older generation. It is a gentle but thorough
workout. Even in a modest sized garden, you can soon clock up the miles,
walking to and from the shed, emptying the wheel-barrow and chasing the cat out
of the Begonias.
Then think about the squatting, bending, lifting and
reaching – the raking, hoeing, mowing and digging. Yes, there is no doubt,
gardening not only burns the calories, but it keeps us supple, agile and
strong. In fact, The British Journal of Sports Medicine found that 60 year-olds
who took part in daily physical activity (such as gardening) had a 27% lower
risk of heart attack or stroke.
reaching – the raking, hoeing, mowing and digging. Yes, there is no doubt,
gardening not only burns the calories, but it keeps us supple, agile and
strong. In fact, The British Journal of Sports Medicine found that 60 year-olds
who took part in daily physical activity (such as gardening) had a 27% lower
risk of heart attack or stroke.
Then there are the mental benefits too. Keeping the mind
busy is just as important as physical exercise and having a project to focus on
that rewards us with a beautiful and colourful display is the best type of
medicine for the soul.
busy is just as important as physical exercise and having a project to focus on
that rewards us with a beautiful and colourful display is the best type of
medicine for the soul.
As we get older, we may find that some gardening tasks we
once tackled with ease, become a little harder than they used to be. But age or
disability does not mean that we need to garden less. No, not at all. It just
means that we need to think a little bit more about our garden design, the
types of jobs we tackle and the types of tools we use.
once tackled with ease, become a little harder than they used to be. But age or
disability does not mean that we need to garden less. No, not at all. It just
means that we need to think a little bit more about our garden design, the
types of jobs we tackle and the types of tools we use.
So, if you are retired or approaching retirement age, take a
look at some of our top tips to keep your garden manageable for the years
ahead.
look at some of our top tips to keep your garden manageable for the years
ahead.
Lawn
Care
Lawn Design
Firstly, take a closer look at your garden design. Has
mowing become too much of a chore? If so, perhaps it’s time to re-plan your
garden layout and remove some turf. Replacing turf with a decorative stone
aggregate or decking can produce a stunning and classical look in your garden and once
laid, is pretty much maintenance free.
mowing become too much of a chore? If so, perhaps it’s time to re-plan your
garden layout and remove some turf. Replacing turf with a decorative stone
aggregate or decking can produce a stunning and classical look in your garden and once
laid, is pretty much maintenance free.
If you really love the look of grass in your garden, you
could consider artificial grass. The technology of artificial grass has
accelerated in recent years and no longer resembles that found on the shelves
of a greengrocer. These days, a high-quality artificial turf weathers to look
very convincing and requires a lot less maintenance than real grass.
could consider artificial grass. The technology of artificial grass has
accelerated in recent years and no longer resembles that found on the shelves
of a greengrocer. These days, a high-quality artificial turf weathers to look
very convincing and requires a lot less maintenance than real grass.
Lawn Care – Tools
For those with a larger garden, it is highly likely that you
will still require a lawn. The good news is that there has been a number of new
products that have entered the market in recent years that can really help to
reduce the effort of lawn maintenance.
will still require a lawn. The good news is that there has been a number of new
products that have entered the market in recent years that can really help to
reduce the effort of lawn maintenance.
- Robot lawnmowers
– The first tool to consider is a robot. Although these products have been
around for 30 years or so, it has only been in the last five years that they
have become accepted by consumers. In fact, it is reported that in Scandinavia,
50% of all lawnmowers sold are now robotic. Once installed, by way of a guide
wire that is buried under the perimeter of your lawn, the robot can be left by
itself. It ‘nibbles’ the grass on daily basis and then disappears off to a
little shed to re-charge once it’s finished the job. For those with limited
mobility, robot mowers are an attractive option but they are not suitable for
all types of garden. Currently the technology is still quite expensive, and the
robot’s ability is limited by the terrain of the garden and its layout. If you
have anything other than a basic, fairly flat and square lawn, installation can
become tricky. Also, so far at least, there is not a model that can cut the
front garden as well as the back! - Zero-turn ride-on lawnmowers
– Zero-turn lawnmowers (so called because of their ability to turn in a zero-degree
turning circle) are a true break-through in recent years. Just like robots, the
technology has been around for a number of years, but only in recent years have
these ride-on lawnmowers appeared in Europe. These days, in the U.S., more
zero-turn lawnmowers are now sold than the traditional ride-on lawn tractor and
Europe is catching up fast. The market grows by around 30% every year as more
Europeans find out about this technology.Zero-turn mowers have several benefits over a walk-behind or lawn-tractor.
Firstly, they are controlled with your hands. There are two levers (rather than
a steering wheel) to control forward motion and to steer the product. For those
with hip pain or lacking strength in their legs, these machines are perfect for
cutting larger areas as there are no foot pedals to content with. Also, their
design allows you to comfortably step into the machine – perfect for those with
limited mobility. Because they are so agile, a zero-turn can mow right up to
and around trees, flower beds and garden ornaments.
- Battery walk-behind
lawnmower – Lithium Ion batteries (the type that are in your smart phone or
power drill) have revolutionised the garden machinery industry in the last two
years. The battery technology is now so good, it has become a feasible
alternative to petrol power equipment. A battery powered lawnmower is light, manoeuvrable
and requires no petrol (obviously) and being battery powered, the mower is
totally wire free. This gives peace of mind for those of us who worry about accidently
mowing over the power cable.
Beds and planting and Garden Chores
Raised beds
Getting older can provide the perfect excuse to invest inraised beds. Firstly, let’s be honest, raised beds can look superb. They bring
an architectural elegance that lets you add variety, height and symmetry to
your garden. They can help protect your prized veg from the nibbles of mice and
rabbits and help place flowers at eye-level. For the older gardener, the
additional benefits are obvious. Bending, leaning and stretching is greatly
reduced and so is the amount of weeding
Containers and pots
If raised beds are not an option for you, consider
purchasing large pots and containers. You can achieve a similar result and over
time, you can fill you old borders with pretty pots where once the plants were
bedded straight into the ground. Remember that not all plants are happy in
containers, so be sure to think carefully about your plant choices
purchasing large pots and containers. You can achieve a similar result and over
time, you can fill you old borders with pretty pots where once the plants were
bedded straight into the ground. Remember that not all plants are happy in
containers, so be sure to think carefully about your plant choices
Kneel Pads and stools
Wherever possible, avoid the need to kneel. It’s not the most
comfortable position for anyone (regardless of age), but as we get older,
kneeling becomes more problematic. If you must kneel, be sure to invest in a
good quality ‘kneeler’ – a simple but effective tool to protect your knees.
Good models can also be used as a stool and will have handles either side to
help you lift yourself back up once the job has been finished.
comfortable position for anyone (regardless of age), but as we get older,
kneeling becomes more problematic. If you must kneel, be sure to invest in a
good quality ‘kneeler’ – a simple but effective tool to protect your knees.
Good models can also be used as a stool and will have handles either side to
help you lift yourself back up once the job has been finished.
General Garden Chores
There are plenty of tools on the market to help take the
back-ache out of clearing up the garden. Once again, battery power equipment
really comes into its own here. Not only is a battery trimmer lighter than its
petrol equivalent, but it is much quieter and doesn’t blow exhaust fumes into
your face. There is no storing or refuelling of petrol, no long cables to worry
about tripping over or accidentally strimming. Buying a quality brand of power
equipment will also give you access to a battery system – this means that you
can share the batteries between different tools, greatly reducing the overall
cost of ownership.
back-ache out of clearing up the garden. Once again, battery power equipment
really comes into its own here. Not only is a battery trimmer lighter than its
petrol equivalent, but it is much quieter and doesn’t blow exhaust fumes into
your face. There is no storing or refuelling of petrol, no long cables to worry
about tripping over or accidentally strimming. Buying a quality brand of power
equipment will also give you access to a battery system – this means that you
can share the batteries between different tools, greatly reducing the overall
cost of ownership.