A Beginner's Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening for Seniors

Have you been looking for a new hobby that allows you to spend time outdoors, stay active, and enjoy the fruits (or vegetables) of your labour? Think about Organic gardening.

Organic gardening is not just a hobby; it's a therapeutic journey that connects us with nature and nourishes our bodies and minds. For seniors looking for a fulfilling and enjoyable pastime, organic vegetable gardening can be a perfect choice. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a small balcony, growing your own organic vegetables can bring immense joy and health benefits. Your gardening experience should be delightful and rewarding. Not only is gardening a rewarding and fulfilling activity, but it also provides numerous physical and emotional benefits.

Step 1: Before you start planting, it's important to plan out your garden.

Before you get your hands dirty, gather essential gardening tools like a trowel, gloves, a watering can, and a small shovel. Invest in good-quality organic soil, compost, and seeds or seedlings of your favourite vegetables. Ensure your containers or garden beds have proper drainage to prevent waterlogging.

Select a sunny spot for your vegetable garden as most vegetables thrive in full sunlight, and most need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Observe the area where you plan to garden and take note of any shady spots.

Determine how much space you have available for gardening. If you're limited on space, consider container gardening or vertical gardening using hanging baskets or trellises. Make sure the area is easily accessible for watering and maintenance.

Vegetables need loose, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Consider getting a soil test to determine the pH level and nutrient content of your soil. Healthy soil is the foundation of a successful organic garden. Mix organic compost into the soil to enrich it with essential nutrients. Avoid using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to maintain an organic and eco-friendly environment for your plants.

Step 2: Choosing What to Plant

Choose vegetables that are well-suited to your climate and growing conditions. For beginners, start with easy-to-grow options like tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, and herbs like basil and parsley. Consider companion planting to naturally repel pests and improve yield. Avoid vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower that are hard to grow. Different vegetables have different growing seasons. Choose vegetables that are well-suited to the time of year you are growing. Do your research before planting, some vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers, require more space than others, such as lettuce and radishes.

Step 3: Planting

Follow the planting instructions on your seed packets or plant packet for planting depth, spacing, and watering. Space your plants according to their growth requirements to avoid overcrowding. Water your garden regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Plant your vegetables at the right time of year for your climate and the specific vegetable. Finally, make sure you choose organic seeds to ensure that your vegetables are free from harmful chemicals and pesticides.

Step 4: Maintenance

Once your vegetables are planted, it's important to maintain your garden to ensure healthy growth. Keep an eye on your garden for signs of pests or diseases. Use organic pest control methods like neem oil spray or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs. Remove weeds regularly to prevent competition for nutrients and space. Water your vegetables consistently, providing enough water to soak the roots. Weed your garden regularly to prevent competition for nutrients. Use organic fertilizers, such as compost, to provide nutrients to your vegetables.

Step 5: Harvesting

As your vegetables mature, harvest them at their peak freshness for the best flavour and nutrition. Use sharp tools to avoid damaging the vegetables. Spread the joy of gardening by sharing your surplus produce with friends, family, or local food banks. It's a wonderful way to connect with others and contribute to your community  Enjoy the satisfaction of sharing and eating organic produce straight from your garden, knowing you've nurtured it from seed to plate. Harvesting your vegetables is the most rewarding part of organic vegetable gardening.

Gardening is a continuous learning process, so don't be afraid to experiment and try new techniques. Attend gardening workshops, join community gardening groups, and seek advice from experienced gardeners to enhance your skills and knowledge.

Conclusion:

Organic vegetable gardening is not only a fulfilling hobby but also a therapeutic and sustainable way to enjoy fresh and healthy produce. Seniors can benefit greatly from the physical activity, mental stimulation, and sense of accomplishment that gardening brings. So, roll up your sleeves, dig into the earth, and let the journey from seeds to harvest begin!

Remember, every seed you plant is a hope for a greener future and a healthier you. Happy gardening!

Create a Garden Oasis in Your Small Space: A Guide for Seniors

Just because you have downsized to a smaller living space, it doesn’t mean you have to give up your love for gardening. With a few creative ideas and some strategic planning, you can create a beautiful and productive garden oasis right outside your door or even in your home. In this article, we will explore the physical and emotional benefits of gardening and provide tips on how to create a small-space garden that will bring you joy and a sense of accomplishment.

Gardening is a great way to stay active and maintain your physical health. Gardening involves a variety of movements, such as digging, planting, and weeding, that can help improve your strength and flexibility. Gardening can also provide a good cardiovascular workout, especially if you are moving around and working in your garden for extended periods. Being outside in nature and focusing on a creative activity can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

In addition to the physical benefits, gardening also has numerous emotional benefits. Here are a few ways that gardening can improve your mental and emotional well-being. Seeing the results of your hard work can give you a sense of pride and accomplishment. Gardening allows you to connect with nature and the changing seasons, which can be grounding and calming. Being outside and engaging in a creative activity can help boost your mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.

Now that we’ve explored the physical and emotional benefits of gardening, let’s talk about how to create a small-space garden. First, look for a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. If you don’t have access to outdoor space, consider setting up a container garden on a sunny windowsill. Next, choose plants that are well-suited to your climate and the amount of sunlight your garden receives. Consider using a mix of annuals, perennials, and vegetables to add variety and interest. Third, make the most of your small space by using vertical planters, trellises, and other structures to grow plants up rather than out.

In the last two posts, I talked about container gardening. This is a great option for small spaces. Choose containers that are at least 12 inches deep and make sure they have drainage holes to prevent root rot. If you have mobility issues, consider using a gardening stool or chair to make it easier to reach your plants.

Gardening is a wonderful activity that can provide numerous physical and emotional benefits, regardless of the size of your living space. With a little creativity and planning, you can create a beautiful and productive garden oasis right outside your door. So, get started today and enjoy the many joys of gardening!

Gardening in a small space offers numerous physical and emotional benefits for seniors. Whether it's a balcony garden, indoor plants, or a backyard oasis, cultivating greenery brings joy and well-being. Embrace the therapeutic power of gardening and create your own peaceful retreat today!

The Surprising Mental Health Benefits of Gardening: A Beginner's Journey to Wellness and Joy in Senior Years

As we age, it's essential to find activities that not only keep us physically active but also nurture our mental well-being. One such activity that has gained popularity among seniors is gardening. In this post, I will explore the surprising mental health benefits of gardening and how embarking on a gardening journey can bring wellness and joy to your senior years.

Gardening provides a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The act of tending to plants, feeling the soil between your fingers, and watching your garden bloom can be incredibly therapeutic. Studies have shown that gardening can reduce stress levels, lower cortisol (the stress hormone) levels, and promote relaxation. For seniors, especially those dealing with the challenges of aging, gardening offers a peaceful retreat and a chance to unwind.

Engaging in gardening activities has been linked to improved mood and emotional well-being. The sense of accomplishment that comes from nurturing a garden, seeing plants thrive under your care, and witnessing the beauty of nature can uplift your spirits. Gardening also encourages mindfulness, allowing you to be present in the moment and appreciate the small joys of life. For seniors who may experience feelings of loneliness or isolation, gardening can provide a meaningful and fulfilling way to connect with nature and find inner peace.

Maintaining physical activity is crucial for overall health, especially as we age. Gardening involves various physical movements, such as digging, planting, watering, and pruning, which contribute to staying active. These gentle exercises can improve flexibility, strength, and coordination. Gardening also encourages spending time outdoors, soaking up vitamin D from the sun, which is essential for bone health and immune function. By incorporating gardening into your routine, you can enjoy the benefits of staying physically active in a joyful and rewarding way.

For many seniors, retirement can bring a sense of loss of purpose or identity. Gardening offers a new sense of purpose and accomplishment. Whether you're growing flowers, herbs, vegetables, or caring for indoor plants, each successful bloom or harvest can fill you with pride and a sense of achievement. The responsibility of caring for living plants can also provide a routine and structure to your day, boosting your overall well-being.

Gardening allows you to reconnect with nature and create a vibrant ecosystem in your backyard or balcony. Observing butterflies, birds, and bees visiting your garden can instill a sense of wonder and appreciation for the environment. Additionally, gardening can foster community connections. Joining gardening clubs or participating in community gardens not only provides social interaction but also opportunities to share knowledge, resources, and gardening experiences with like-minded individuals.

Embarking on a gardening journey in your senior years can be a transformative experience, bringing wellness, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose. From reducing stress and improving mood to staying physically active and fostering connections, the mental health benefits of gardening are truly remarkable. So, grab your gardening tools, dig into the soil, and let nature's beauty nourish your mind, body, and soul. Happy gardening!

Embracing the Beauty: A Guide to Container Gardening for Beginners

Have you ever dreamed of bringing the lush greenery of a garden into your home, but felt intimidated by the thought of managing a full-blown outdoor space? Container gardening offers a gateway to the world of horticulture, accessible even for beginners. In the fast-paced world we live in, finding moments of tranquillity and connection with nature can be a challenge.  Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a cozy balcony, container gardening opens up a world of possibilities for cultivating your green thumb and creating a vibrant oasis of plants.

The Magic of Container Gardening

Container gardening is a versatile and accessible way to bring the joys of gardening into your life, no matter your experience level. For beginners, it offers a gentle introduction to the art of nurturing plants and witnessing their growth firsthand. With containers, you have full control over the environment, allowing you to tailor it to suit each plant's specific needs.

Getting Started: Choosing the Right Containers and Plants

The container is the canvas upon which you'll paint your horticultural masterpiece. Consider the size, material, and style that best suits your space and aesthetic. From classic terracotta pots to sleek ceramic planters, there's a container for every taste and budget, the options are endless.

Next, choose plants that align with your gardening goals and space constraints. You also have to think about the light and water needs of your chosen plants. For beginners, low-maintenance plants like succulents, ferns, or herbs are excellent choices. You can also create a vibrant mix of flowering plants to bring joy throughout the year. These plants are forgiving and offer a rewarding experience as you watch them flourish under your care.

Creating a Welcoming Environment

Once you have your containers and plants, it's time to create a welcoming environment for them to thrive. Place your containers in locations that receive adequate sunlight based on your plant's requirements. Consider adding decorative elements such as trellises, stakes, or colorful pebbles to enhance the visual appeal of your garden.

Nurturing Your Garden: Watering, Feeding, and Maintenance

A well-draining potting mix is key to keeping your plants healthy. Choose a mix that is specifically designed for container gardening, or amend your regular soil with compost or perlite to improve drainage. Like any living thing, plants need care and attention to thrive. Develop a watering schedule based on your plant's needs, keeping in mind factors like soil moisture and weather conditions. Supplement regular watering with a balanced fertilizer to provide essential nutrients for healthy growth.

Regular maintenance tasks such as pruning, pest control, and soil replenishment are key to sustaining a vibrant container garden. Embrace these tasks as opportunities to connect with your plants and observe their progress over time.

Container gardening offers the opportunity to enjoy the changing seasons. Rotate your containers to ensure even light distribution and bring in new plants with each season to keep your space fresh and vibrant.

The Joy of Harvesting and Enjoying Your Garden

One of the most rewarding aspects of container gardening is the ability to harvest fresh produce and herbs right from your own space. Imagine plucking ripe tomatoes for a garden-fresh salad or snipping fragrant basil for a homemade pasta sauce. These simple pleasures add a special touch to your meals and deepen your appreciation for the gardening journey. Once you've mastered the fundamentals, explore the endless possibilities of container gardening. Create cascading waterfalls, build a vertical herb garden, or craft a whimsical hanging basket. The only limit is your imagination.

Connecting with the Community

Container gardening isn't just about tending to plants; it's also about fostering connections within your community. Share your gardening experiences with friends, family, and neighbors. Swap plant cuttings, exchange gardening tips, or participate in local gardening events to enrich your gardening journey and inspire others to discover the beauty of container gardening.

Conclusion: Cultivating Growth, One Pot at a Time

In conclusion, container gardening is a delightful pursuit that invites you to slow down, connect with nature, and nurture a living masterpiece right at home. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned gardener, the art of container gardening offers endless possibilities for creativity, relaxation, and joy. Embrace this journey with an open heart and watch as your container garden blossoms into a vibrant expression of beauty and growth. • Start small: Don't feel pressured to fill your space with a jungle overnight. Start with one container and build your collection gradually.

Remember, that gardening takes time. Don't be discouraged if your plants don't flourish overnight. With a little patience and care, you'll see the fruits of your labor.

Container gardening is a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Don't be afraid to experiment, get creative, and enjoy the journey. So, embark on your container gardening journey today and discover the joy of cultivating beauty, one pot at a time.

Happy gardening!

Butterflies

 Every spring the butterflies come back to my garden, not in droves but enough to make me stop what I am doing and watch them flying around the garden. I and I believe many others delight in the beauty of the butterfly/ They are gorgeous creatures, and they can capture your imagination. However, we rarely think about or consider the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. In fact, many of us use the Butterfly emoji when we text or post. The butterfly emoji represents the butterfly, as well as the symbolism associated with it: positive transformations, hope during a dark time, and new beginnings. Here are some fascinating facts to consider next time you cross a butterfly’s path:

There are more than 17,500 recorded butterfly species around the world, 750 of which can be found in the U.S.

Butterflies and moths are part of the class of insects in the order Lepidoptera. Butterflies are flying insects with large scaly wings. Like all insects, they have six jointed legs and three body parts: the head, the thorax and the abdomen. The wings are attached to the thorax, and they also have a pair of antennae, compound eyes and an exoskeleton.

Monarch butterflies migrate to get away from the cold. However, they are the only insect that migrates an average of 2,500 miles to find a warmer climate. The iconic North American Monarch has been greatly affected by extreme weather events, going through drastic dips and spikes in numbers over the past several decades. The overall pattern continues to point downward, with a 95 percent population decline over the last 20 years, but conservation efforts are helping:

Monarchs are not the only butterfly that migrates. The Painted Lady, American Lady, Red Admiral, Cloudless Sulphur, Skipper, Sachem, Question Mark, Clouded Skipper, Fiery Skipper and Mourning Cloak are among the other butterflies that also migrate, but not as far as the Monarchs.

The Common Buckeye Butterfly is one of the most striking butterflies, with its bold multicoloured eyespots and thick upper-wing bars, all designed to frighten away any birds that might be tempted to chomp on them. If you look under its wings, you’ll find a more abstract profusion of brown, orange and beige. These insects are pretty common all over North and Central America, although you won’t find them in the Pacific Northwest or in the far north of Canada.

The Orange Barred Sulphur Butterfly is one that you can find all over the Americas and the Caribbean. It’s very distinctive, being bright yellow with patches of orange marking both forewings and hindwings. Females tend to be bigger and darker than their male counterparts and unusually, just like the adult butterflies, the caterpillars also have bright yellow bodies segmented by dark stripes.

Speaking of caterpillars, how much do you know about the life cycle of a butterfly? The butterfly starts its life as an egg, laid on a leaf. The caterpillar (larva) hatches from the egg and eats leaves or flowers. It loses its skin many times as it grows, increasing greatly in size. Eventually, it turns into a pupa or chrysalis and finally, a beautiful adult butterfly emerges, and the cycle continues.

An adult butterfly has a very short life: just three to four weeks. However, the entire life cycle of a butterfly can range between 2 and 8 months, depending on the species. Some migratory butterflies, such as the North American Monarch, can live as long as 7 to 8 months in one generation.

The Giant Swallowtail Butterfly, as its name implies, is one of the biggest butterflies, with a wing spread of four to seven inches. The female is once again bigger than the male. It too is found throughout North America and sometimes as far south as South America. These butterflies are called “swallows” because they have long tails on their hind wings that resemble the long, pointed tails of the birds known as swallows.

Be sure to get outside this summer and look around for butterflies and other wildlife in your backyard. If you see a butterfly but aren’t sure about the species, you can consult this handy identification guide

 

 

Poems about dandelions

Yellow Mayne on a bed of bright green

Welcomes the sun into its bower

Deep taproots aerate the soil unseen

When raindrops fall in heavy showers

A weed, a food a medicine, a drink

Vitamin A, C, and K, along with calcium

It makes one think

As I ponder this apparent axiom

Is this a flower or a weed that in my garden grows?

Lets ask the poets what they know

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The First Dandelion by Walt Whitman

Simple and fresh and fair from winter's close emerging,

As if no artifice of fashion, business, politics, had ever been,

Forth from its sunny nook of shelter'd grass—innocent, golden, calm as the dawn,

The spring's first dandelion shows its trustful face.

Dandelion  by Hilda Conkling

Little soldier with the golden helmet,

O What are you guarding on my lawn?

You with your green gun

And your yellow beard,

Why do you stand so stiff?

There is only the grass to fight!

The Dandelion by Vachel Lindsay

O dandelion, rich and haughty,

King of village flowers!

Each day is coronation time,

You have no humble hours.

I like to see you bring a troop

To beat the blue-grass spears,

To scorn the lawn-mower that would be

Like fate's triumphant shears.

Your yellow heads are cut away,

It seems your reign is o'er.

By noon you raise a sea of stars

More golden than before.

Dandy Dandelion  by Christopher Morley

When Dandy Dandelion wakes

And combs his yellow hair,

The ant his cup of dewdrop takes

And sets his bed to air;

The worm hides in a quilt of dirt

To keep the thrush away,

The beetle dons his pansy shirt—

They know that it is day!

Dandelion by Nellie M. Garabrant

There's a dandy little fellow,

Who dresses all in yellow,

In yellow with an overcoat of green;

With his hair all crisp and curly,

In the springtime bright and early

A-tripping o'er the meadow he is seen.

Through all the bright June weather,

Like a jolly little tramp,

He wanders o'er the hillside, down the road;

Around his yellow feather,

Thy gypsy fireflies camp;

His companions are the wood lark and the toad.

But at last this little fellow

Doffs his dainty coat of yellow,

And very feebly totters o'er the green;

For he very old is growing

And with hair all white and flowing,

A-nodding in the sunlight he is seen.

Oh, poor dandy, once so spandy,

Golden dancer on the lea!

Older growing, white hair flowing,

Poor little baldhead dandy now is he!

Things I did not know about dandelions 2

 Dandelions are among the most expensive items in the grocery store. Shops sell dried roots as a no-caffeine coffee substitute – for $31.75 a pound. Dandelions out-price prime rib, swordfish and lobster. They also appear in produce and other sections, and even at the liquor store. You can enjoy a complete meal, from salad greens to dandelion quiche, followed by dandelion ice cream, washed down with dandelion wine. If you over-indulge, a cup of dandelion tea is the perfect remedy since dandelions help the liver flush hangover-inducing toxins from the body.

Herbicides used on lawns to kill dandelions take a terrible toll on wildlife. More than seven million wild birds are estimated to die annually due to the use of lawn pesticides. Lawns make up thirty million acres of the United States, and Americans use an estimated 80 million pounds of pesticides on them annually. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that “homeowners use up to ten times more chemical pesticides per acre on their lawns than farmers use on crops.”

But there’s a safer way to have a dandelion-free lawn! Let the grass grow 3 or 4 inches tall to shade out the sun-loving dandelions, or use specialized tools like the Weed Hound to have a thriving, healthy yard that is safe for kids, pets and wildlife.

And at the end of the day, dandelions are just plain fun. The dandelion seems to be the flower earmarked for children: In a park or garden, it’s the only flower a kid can pick without getting into trouble. A child in a field full of dandelions can practically never run out of things to do: Blowing on dandelion puffballs can tell you if it’s time to go home, how many years until you get married, or how many children you’ll have – and of course, if you catch a flying dandelion seed, you can make a wish.

Dandelions require sun and disturbed soil to thrive. That’s why they seem to “look for” human activities: roadsides, construction sites, parking lots – and lawns. Having escaped the herb gardens a few decades ago, they now seem to be on a quest to get back into the yards they once abandoned.

Things I ddi not know about the dandelion 1

Although it’s often dismissed as little more than a stubborn lawn weed, dandelions have deep roots in history throughout the ages. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans enjoyed the flower, and they have been used in Chinese traditional medicine for over a thousand years. Dandelions probably arrived in North America on the Mayflower – not as stowaways but brought on purpose for their medicinal benefits.

Dandelions were world-famous for their beauty. They were a common and beloved garden flower in Europe and the subject of many poems. In the terrifying New World, the cheerful face of the dandelion was a sweet reminder of home. In Japan, for instance, whole horticultural societies formed to enjoy the beauty of dandelions and to develop exciting new varieties for gardeners.

Dandelions are a green and growing first aid kit. The use of dandelions in the healing arts goes so far back that tracing its history is like trying to catch a dandelion seed as it floats over the grass. For millenniums, people have been using dandelion tonics to help the body’s liver remove toxins from the bloodstream. At one time dandelions were also prescribed for every ailment, from warts to the plague. To this day, herbalists hail the dandelion as the perfect plant medicine: It is a gentle diuretic that provides nutrients and helps the digestive system function at peak efficiency.

Dandelions are more nutritious than most of the vegetables in your garden. They were named after lions because their lion-toothed leaves healed so many ailments, great and small: baldness, dandruff, toothache, sores, fevers, rotting gums, weakness, lethargy and depression. But it wasn’t until the twentieth century was the underlying cause of many of these symptoms realized: vitamin deficiencies. In eras when vitamin pills were unknown, vitamin deficiencies killed millions. In its time, “scurvy” was as dreaded a word as AIDS is today. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reveal how dandelions probably helped alleviate many ailments: They have more vitamin A than spinach, more vitamin C than tomatoes, and are a powerhouse of iron, calcium and potassium.

Dandelions are good for your lawn. Their wide-spreading roots loosen hard-packed soil, aerate the earth and help reduce erosion. The deep taproot pulls nutrients such as calcium from deep in the soil and makes them available to other plants. While most think they’re a lawn killer, dandelions actually fertilize the grass.

Dandelions are masters of survival. They can take root in places that seem a little short of miraculous, and then are impossible to get rid of, as homeowners have found. But why is this plant so hard to kill? It’s because they are fast growers. The sunny yellow flowers go from bud to seed in days. Their lifespan is long, too – an individual plant can live for years, so the dandelion lurking in a corner of the playground might be older than the children running past it. The roots sink in deeper over the years and can go down 15 feet. Like the Hydra who sprouted two new heads for everyone that was cut off, the roots clone when divided; a one-inch bit of dandelion root can grow a whole new dandelion. Dandelion leaves can shove their way through gravel and cement, and thrive in barren habitats.

Gardening in a New Way

Gardening is an excellent hobby. If you have enjoyed gardening for most of your life, you know the delights it can bring to your world. Gardening gives you the chance to work outside and to feel closer to nature by helping make food, herbs, or beautiful flowers where there was nothing but weeds.

For many, the joy of gardening is far more important than any cost savings they might get from growing their own food. If you did the numbers, the food grown at home is not that much less expensive than buying it at the local grocery supermarket. However, to have a garden full of producing plants that give you fresh food is so gratifying. Gratification comes from both growing your own food and harvesting.

Many of us can no longer garden the way we used to garden. Even those who are still living in their own home may find the physical labour of tilling the soil for planting and then tending the garden may be more than they can do at this stage of life. While you may want to get out there and get your hands dirty while planting your favourite flowers or crop-producing plants, you must be mindful of any doctor’s instructions that tell you to take it easy.

Others may have moved out of that house they owned that had a yard where they could create their garden. Maintenance is a concern for any gardener, so you let your kids work with you in the garden. You could also sell your old place and get a condo or apartment that is more manageable.  

Sometimes economy or health concerns play a factor in where you are living and the best place for you right now is an assisted care facility where you can have quality medical care available should you need it. But giving up gardening may be one of the many transitions to a smaller living space that you grieve about losing and missing every spring and summer when you want to be out there in nature enjoying the experience of growing things. 

Where there’s a will, there’s away. And there are new ways you can continue to enjoy the fun of gardening within the constraints of your lifestyle. One way might be to look into getting some window boxes for your apartment. People who want a small indoor flower garden often use these long planting boxes or nurture house planets. But you could get a few of these kinds of growing spaces, solicit some help from the facility maintenance people or your kids to get them installed and filled with good earth and enjoy puttering in those small gardening spaces and see the little plants you picked sprout and grow. With the extra time you have because of retirement, you will do an outstanding job of caring for that little garden.

You can also help your kids learn to garden. By adopting the “sweet but helpful Grandparent” attitude, you may find that your children and their spouses wish they knew your gardening secrets and with a bit of partnering, you could use their muscle and flexibility to set up a nice big garden at their house. Then you can just come over from time to time to tend it as much as you can and “supervise.”

Be there on harvest day so that everyone in the family can enjoy the fresh produce and herbs you grew. And you will get a sense of renewal that you found a new way to garden that lets you keep a treasured pastime and do so within the constraints that retired life brings.

Spring has sprung!

Get outside and enjoy the invigorating effects Mother Nature has to offer.

In my area Spring has officially arrived, where my daughter lives it is now Fall. In the fall I will post about the joys of the Fall season, but I love spring because it means nicer weather and more daylight hours. As the temperatures rise, many of us are eager to get outdoors. Whether you plan to work in the garden, go walking in your neighbourhood, local park, or trails, getting out helps people of all ages. Those who get out report experiencing relaxing or invigorating effects after enjoying the great outdoors. Here are a few ways to make the most of the Spring weather and reap the health benefits too.

Cultivate health and well-being by gardening.

As the ground thaws and the temperatures rise, gardeners around the country are starting to get busy. They are designing their garden, thinking about timelines to execute their plans, and starting to prepare their seeds indoors. Gardening is not a simple hobby; it is an activity that can have positive impacts on your health and well-being. If you don’t have a garden of your own, many communities have a local garden that provides space for people to work together.

Make walking a regular part of your routine.

If gardening is not your thing, there are other ways to get outside, enjoy the weather, and improve your health and well-being. Did you know that older adults in Canada are more likely than any other age group to live a sedentary lifestyle? Walking has many positives, including improving heart health and physical function, increasing motivation to be more physically active, helping with stroke recovery, and reducing pain. While on your walk, remember to maintain 2 meters from people outside of your household.

Take a stroll through a tree-lined path or a forest.

If you are an avid walker and want to add something fresh to your regular routine, consider trying a new route, such as a safe and well-lit trail through a forested area. Trees are associated with several beneficial effects on both physical and mental health and provide an environment that allows for relaxation and stress reduction.

While we may be tempted to socialize when outdoors, we should be vigilant and maintain 2-meters from people outside of our household.

Spring planting

Spring is here and there is a growing movement at least at my place, to get out and pay attention to the garden. The Spring sun is tempting as it calls from the clear blue sky for our attention. The call for attention is echoed by the earth under my feet and the trees and shrubs in my life who look like they are longing for my presence. 

Plants can communicate to each other according to some thinking and I believe that from time to time, however sporadic or brief, they'd absolutely adore my undivided attention.

There's something special about waking up with sunshine in the bedroom that makes me want to be outside.

You see, my wife loves gardening and landscaping as it gives her peace and quiet from the world, and I love the results of her work.

I know some of you may resonate with what I am saying, and others might think I'm off my rocker.

Since last year was a bust our hope is that magic is going to happen in our garden this season.

With life grabbing us by the horns last year we are considering changed the way we garden but do so without a plan is not a good idea. Planning is fun and as the garden takes shape, I will post some pictures over the summer so you can see how we have done. I hope that you will get a chance to grow your own garden this year and that it will bring you joy over the summer and fall.

Planting Season

April showers bring May flowers. Last year we planted our veggie garden a bit late and as result, because of the weather and perhaps poor garden management we did not get as big a crop as we thought. so this year, we are planting early to see if it makes a difference. This got me thinking about when do you plant each type of veggie.  The answer, of course, depends on which Hardiness Zone you are living in. 

Hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum temperature during a 30-year period in the past, not the lowest temperature that has ever occurred in the past or might occur in the future. Gardeners should keep that in mind when selecting plants, especially if they choose to "push" their hardiness zone by growing plants not rated for their zone. 

For my American friends,  If you aren’t sure what planting zone you are in the USDA has a great interactive map for you. And you can just put in your zip code and it will tell you exactly what planting zone you are in. In Canada and other countries, your Ministry of Agriculture should be able to provide you with the information you need. I live in a Zone called 8b so I need to look for plants that thrive between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius.

So a brief search of the Net I came up with the following visual Garden Org. 

Here is another chart that I found that was also useful

Spring is here, think about your garden.

It is snowing today and it snowed at the end of the month in the lower mainland of BC, where I live. Although many regions of Canada are still buried under tons of snow, I suspect that gardeners around the country are starting to get busy. I know they are in BC. We are lucky here in my region, the snow will be gone in a few days and the ground will be warming up fast. Many of us are out in the gardening stores looking for inspiration to help us design our gardens and thinking about timelines to execute our plans, and some are about to start their seeds indoors.

Gardening is sometimes considered as a simple hobby, but think again! It is an amazing activity that can have positive effects on health and well-being. You may have heard people mentioning the therapeutic benefits of gardening, whether it is to maintain physical fitness, improve flexibility, coordination and strength, enhance physiological and psychological relaxation, improve self-esteem and depression symptoms, encourage creativity, and create social bonds (and even intergenerational relationships). Well, there is research evidence to support many of these claims!

What the research tells us

McMaster University did a systematic review that identified 22 studies that examined the benefits of gardening for older adults living in the community or in institutions. The majority of studies included in the review revealed that gardening is an activity appreciated by older adults that has positive effects on their physical health, cognitive abilities, nutrition, spirituality and social engagement. Gardening can even improve their level of autonomy and their quality of life.

The review also revealed that gardening allows seniors to reminisce childhood and family memories. It is therefore a comforting activity for older adults who can reconnect with their past, their culture and nature. Gardening activities conducted in a group can also promote social interaction and community support.

While the observed benefits of gardening are promising, they may not be the same for everyone. The review highlighted the need to further explore the effects of gardening on people with dementia and older adults with disabilities.

Getting started

Before taking out your shovels and rakes, take some time to plan your gardening activities:

·       Think about your health and safety: You may have a condition that prevents you from enjoying some gardening activities. You also need to assess your garden and the landscape to identify potential risks for falls, to protect yourself from the sun at all times, and to vary positions when working in the garden.

·       Adapt: The gardening activities, the tools, and the garden itself can be adapted to suit your needs and capacities (for example, installing raised garden beds or using lightweight and ergonomic tools may reduce the physical demand associated with gardening).

·       Socialize: Don’t go at it alone! Take advantage of community or local garden groups to connect with others, and share your passion and knowledge. By sharing gardening tasks with others, you may be able to find tasks that can better suit your needs and capacities (for example, digging, planting, watering, or harvesting fruits, vegetables and flowers). And nothing is better than enjoying the fruits of your labors with others!

Why (older) men should do housework

Easy answer, it is good for your health, both physical and mental and it can help your relationship. In a new report Why older men should do more housework, published in January 2018 written by Honor Whiteman and fact-checked by Jasmin Collier, researchers have found that every day, older women spend an average of 2 hours more doing household chores than men. But it's not all bad. Older men and women who engage in more housework might have better health. Though if women get too much or too little sleep, the health benefits of housework diminish.

A new study which was recently published in the journal BMC Public Health was led by Nicholas Adjei and Tilman Brand, of the University of Bremen in Germany.

The research was designed to get a better idea of how adults spend their time in later life, and how certain day-to-day activities impact their health.

"The percentage of those aged 65 years and above," explains study co-leader Adjei, "is increasing globally due to higher life expectancy. It is important to understand how older adults spend their time in these later years and the possible positive and negative implications for their health."

In the study, the team points out that household activities have become the main "productive work" for older adults following retirement, but little is known about how such activities affect health.

After retirement, elderly men and women allocate more time to housework activities, compared to working-age adults. Nonetheless, sleep constitutes the lengthiest time use activity among the elderly, but there has not been any study on the associations between time spent on housework activities, sleep duration and self-reported health among the older population. This study looks at those issues.

The study found a positive association between time devoted to housework activities, total housework and health status among elderly men and women. Compared to those who spent 1 to 3 hours in total on productive housework, elderly people who spent between 3 and 6 hours a day had higher odds of reporting good health

With regard to the number of hours of sleep a night. Those who slept less than 7 hours and those who slept more than 8 hours reported negative health for both genders. However, the interactive associations between total productive housework, sleep duration, and self-reported health varied among men and women. Among women, long hours of housework combined with either short or long sleep was negatively associated with health.

The study concluded that although time allocation to housework activities may be beneficial to the health among both genders, elderly women have higher odds of reporting poor health when more time is devoted total housework combined with either short or long sleep duration.

For many seniors, if you ask, household activities are part of the daily lives of older people. These activities have become their main “productive work” after retirement. A study by Szinovacz found that retirees devoted more time to housework activities than their working spouses. However, evidence suggests that gender inequality in the division of household labour largely persists in high-income societies even after retirement Most studies confirm that elderly women spend more time on housework activities than men although time allocated to housework activities among men has increased over recent years

Older women typically perform routine, repetitive tasks such washing clothes, cooking and cleaning house, while older men are responsible for occasional tasks such as household repair works, vehicle maintenance and yard work. This inequitable division of housework is one of the factors that contribute to the observed adverse health differences among men and women including psychological distress and depressive symptoms.

The study found that between men and women, there was a positive association between housework activities and self-reported health. However, there were differences in the magnitude of the associations. Time devoted to both routine and repetitive housework activities was significantly associated with good health. We observed that elderly people who spent more than 120 min/day on cleaning, cooking and shopping activities had higher odds of reporting good health compared to those who devoted no time to these activities.

Gardening and maintenance activities were associated with higher odds for good health. Older people who spent more than 120 min/day on these activities were more likely to report good health compared to those who did not allocate any time to these activities. The odds of reporting good health were significantly higher for elderly people who spent more than 120 min/day on childcare activities compared to those who devoted no time to childcare.

This studies findings of the association between routine housework activities (cleaning, cooking and shopping) and health contrast with a recent study conducted in China. The China study found no significant association of cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping and health among older men, but washing clothes and house cleaning were negatively associated with health among women.

Meanwhile, our results corroborate a longitudinal study of 2761 older Americans aged 65 years. That study found productive housework activities such as cooking, shopping and gardening to be associated with lower risk of mortality.

8 Gardening Blunders and the Ways to Fix Them

We often see fashion blunders on TV. We may even hear ourselves giving opinions about them. But do you actually realize that blunders can even happen right in your front yard? Whether you think that your garden looks good or not, it really doesn't matter. If everything doesn't work, your whole garden will not work. So, here as our last post on gardening for a while, we enumerate some gardening blunders and the ways to fix them:

1.    Grass is not greener. This ranks number 1. Why? Most gardens have lawn, but one may be slightly greener than the other. If your lawn looks more than the soil underneath, it is time to reassess your watering, fertilizing and mowing schedule. Think where you have gone wrong and make the necessary adjustments on the areas mentioned. If nothing happens, replacing your entire lawn is a better alternative. Consider other ground covers such as periwinkle and thyme. Ask your local nursery for a possible option.

2.    Tools and clutter are everywhere. They may be useful objects, but if they are stacked in your garage because you think they are not worth the storage, they don't just look like junk, they are junk. Go over them one by one and determine whether you want to keep them or not. Your criteria when deciding if they deserve the trip to dump or not is simple: Ask yourself, do you specific plans for them?

3.    Your home and garden can be seen from the road. There are several short- and long-term solutions to create some privacy. One quick-fix solution is to build a concrete wall that would separate your garden from the side walk. For a longer, much appealing look, planting fast-growing shrubs is a good idea.

4.    Weeds invasion. Weeds problem can be solved by keeping your lawn regularly maintained. Check for weeds as often as you can. Dig the weeds out by hand and keep the weed from re-growing by seeding the empty areas of your lawn.

5.    Limited space. If your problem is space, then here's one idea that can definitely help you maximize every square inch of your garden: think vertical. Create a sense of lush greenery by using wall space, arbors and trellises to allow plants to climb upwards.

6.    Where's your home? If shrubs have swallowed your home, then a hedge clipper comes in handy. Cut everything that is blocking your way. Seriously, you want a garden, not a house in the middle of the forest. Also, shrubs swallowing your home is a security problem and just invites the bad guys to help themselves.

7.    Dry spell in winter. Most garden plants do not survive the winter temperature. Hence, they die. When planning for a garden, think of the plants that can grow year-round. Or you can always include evergreens and plants with winter interests.

8.    Fences are falling apart. Fences are not just to separate your property from your neighbor's. They also add to the overall look of your garden. Make sure that you maintain the looks of your fences like the way you keep your plants.

Mulching for Free

I’m sure that if you are reading this, you have used some form of mulch during your gardening career. However, you probably didn’t know that there are many other options for organic mulching that you can explore. These days, many gardeners are discovering new sources of free mulch that has been there all along; an untapped resource. These include clippings from a lawn, or woody pruning’s from other plants in your yard. You will be surprised by how beneficial all these things can be, and how often the opportunity arises to use them.

Many gardeners have taken to spreading out their excess grass clippings across the rest of their yard. You may think this will look tacky, with big piles of grass just sitting in your yard as if you were too lazy to rake them up. However, if you spread them out enough then you won’t even be able to tell that there is an excess amount. Leaving the extra grass in the yard acts as a sort of mulch by preventing evaporation and weed growth. With this extra water, you won’t have to water nearly as much to keep your grass green. When I started leaving my grass clippings, I had to adjust the frequency of my sprinkler system because I was worried my yard was getting too much water!

If your garden is in more need of mulching than your yard, it is not unheard of to rake up all the grass and transport it to your garden. By making a small layer in the vicinity of the plant, you’ll apply all the same benefits from leaving it in your yard. My yard is rather green on its own, but I often have trouble with my plants staying green and healthy. So, rather than leave the grass clipping in my yard, I move them all around my plants. It is just a matter of choosing what your highest mulching priority is.

Sometimes, our pruning activities will lead us to have an amazing number of branches and twigs. If this is the case, you should consider renting a wood chipper to put all of those branches to use. After one day of intense pruning, you would be surprised at just how many branches you end up with. Rather than throw these away, you can turn them into a huge amount of mulch for your plants. However, if your pruning has not left you with that big of an amount, you should bundle it all up and save it to add to the next batch. This is because the chipping machines can be slightly expensive to rent, and you want it to be absolutely worth it!

Over time, all organic mulches need to be replenished. This is because they will naturally decompose in the conditions of your yard. Usually, you can tell for yourself just by looking at it, but sometimes it can look perfectly regular but still have problems. If you start to notice any poor plant growth whatsoever, you should replace your mulch. Always keep in mind that during the process of decomposition, your mulch will use up the valuable nitrogen in the soil. Without this, the plants will be missing a key nutrient. There are several types of fertilizers available on the market that are specifically designed to deal with this problem.

The use of mulches in the yard and garden is something everyone should try. Not only can it save lots of time by reducing the amount of garbage you have to transport out, but it increases the healthiness and integrity of your plants by putting that so-called garbage to good use. So, if you think you would be able to save a good amount of branches and twigs for chipping, or if you think that you are ready to stop raking up all your grass clippings, then I think that mulching is for you.

Using Gardening to Get in Shape

While gardening is usually thought of as a productive way to grow beautiful plants and obtain tasty fruits and vegetables, few gardeners have ever considered the immense amounts of exercise one can get in the process of gardening. While you can get almost as much muscle (if not more) exercise as you do working out, it is very productive at the same time.

A recent study found that gardening and maintenance activities may increase fitness level and muscle strength because they require some form of physical exertion such as carrying equipment for repair works, lawn mowing, shovelling, digging holes and carrying soil. Previous studies have also stressed the health benefits of gardening for older adults; such benefits include physical health, psychological health, cognitive ability, and low risk of depression. The study recently reported that gardening has a positive effect on the blood lipid profiles, blood pressure and level of inflammatory markers in blood.

You may wonder how gardening could possibly give as much exercise as working out. Just think about all the various facets of preparing a garden. There are holes to be dug, bags and pots to be carried, and weeds to be pulled. Doing all of these things help to work out almost every group of muscles in your body.

My best friend is a fanatic about working out. Almost every time I call his house, I end up interrupting some muscle toning activity. I’ve never really enjoyed working out, though, as it seems that the constant lifting of heavy things just puts a strain on my body with no immediate positive results. But while he is into working out, I am almost equally enthusiastic about gardening. I work outside improving my garden almost every day. I think I definitely surprised my friend when he realized that I am almost as muscular as he is, but I have never lifted a single dumbbell!

Before you go out into your garden, you should always stretch out. Even if your goal isn’t to work out and get exercise, it’s still a good idea. Often gardeners spend long periods of time hunched over or bent over. This can be bad for your back. So not only should you stretch out beforehand, but you should always take frequent breaks if you’re spending long amounts of time in these positions.

Weeding and pruning are some of the best workouts a gardener can get. With the constant crouching and standing, the legs get a great workout. If your weeds are particularly resistant, your arms will become particularly toned just from the effort required to remove them from the ground. If you plan on taking the whole workout think very seriously, you should always be switching arms and positions to spread out the work between different areas of your body.

One of the most obvious ways to get exercise is in the transporting and lifting of bags and pots. Between the nursery and your house, you will have to move the bags multiple times (to the checkout, to your car, to your garden, and then spreading them out accordingly). As long as you remember to lift with your legs and not your back, transporting bags and pots can give you a fairly big workout, even though you probably don’t make those purchases very often.

Mowing your grass can also be a great exercise. If you’ve got an older mower that isn’t self-propelled, just the act of pushing it through the grass will give you more of a workout than going to the gym for a few hours. During the course of mowing the grass, you use your chest, arms, back, and shoulder to keep the mower ahead of you. Your thighs and butt also get worked a lot to propel the mower. Not only do you get an all-around muscle work out, but it can improve your heart’s health. It’s good for you as a cardiovascular activity, as well as a great way to lose weight due to the increased heart rate and heavy breathing.

If you plan on using gardening as a way to get in shape or lose some weight, you can hardly go wrong. Just be sure to stretch out, drink plenty of water, and apply sunscreen. As long as you take steps to prevent the few negative effects such as pulled muscles, dehydration, and sunburn, I think you’ll have a great time and end up being a healthier person because of it.