Gardening for Seniors: Easy Raised Bed Solutions

According to RubyHome, 185.9 million Americans enjoy some kind of gardening activity. Gardening is especially popular with seniors, as it can reduce stress, provide an immunity boost, add physical activity to their daily routine, and so much more.

Unfortunately, gardening for seniors can be hard on the joints, especially for older adults with preexisting conditions.

However, this doesn't mean they can't enjoy one of their favorite hobbies. They simply need to find an easier way to enjoy outdoor planting-and the answer is raised garden beds. This helpful guide explains the ins and outs of raised garden beds and the best kinds for seniors to use.

Raised Garden Beds Explained

Instead of planting a garden at ground level, easy gardening for seniors includes the use of raised garden beds. These garden beds come in a variety of styles, from timber garden beds to galvanized steel structures.

The height of the garden bed depends on who's using it for planting, but the bulk of raised garden beds are roughly a foot from the ground, although it's not uncommon for them to be higher, especially for seniors.

After an older adult chooses the ideal raised garden bed for their planting, they fill it with compost material or soil and start growing! Other senior gardening tips include pest prevention. For example, there are also optional nets and fence materials to keep garden pests, such as deer, out.

Why Used Raised Garden Beds?

For starters, raised garden beds mean less bending over. The proper raised bed setup for seniors makes the task of gardening much easier. Since gardening can be hard on a person's knees and joints, raised beds work to alleviate this pain.

Depending on how high a raised bed is, a person can easily sit in a chair to garden. This means that anyone with chronic conditions would benefit from raised garden beds.

Raised garden beds also mean fewer weeds, making the gardening process much easier for seniors. They're also wheelchair friendly, which makes them perfect for everyone who wants to enjoy this outdoor activity.

Additionally, seniors who want a tidy-looking garden will appreciate how raised garden beds work to keep their plants neat and organized. They could even dedicate one raised garden bed to a specific crop, labeling their plantings accordingly.

Consider the Materials Used

Materials are part of the convenience of raised garden beds, as low-maintenance supplies can help seniors with this hobby. For example, some raised garden beds are made from:

Metal
Plastic
Cedarwood

These materials won't traditionally rot, which means older adults won't have to worry about redoing their raised garden beds. One main issue with plastic or metal is comfort.

When leaning on these materials, seniors may find that they're uncomfortable. They may want to place a towel over their garden beds' edge while working as a cushion.

Plastic and metal can also cause skin irritation for anyone with an allergy, so keep this in mind when choosing products for outdoor gardens.

Different Types of Raised Beds

Accessible gardening solutions for seniors looking for easy raised garden beds are available from a variety of online retailers. They may find garden beds made from galvanized steel that they simply set up in their garden. Other solutions require some DIY work, creating a frame made from wood.

Cinder Blocks and Cement Pavers

Seniors looking to repurpose old materials can create raised garden beds from cinder blocks or extra pavers.

When using old cinder blocks, seniors need to secure them into the ground for safety reasons. Wood stakes work well.

Each layer of blocks needs to be securely in place. Blocks should be alternated when stacked. Weed barrier fabric works to keep soil from seeping out between each cinder block.

Seniors in assisted living can also stick to one row of cinder blocks, filling each individual hole - facing upwards with soil and planting inside there.

Galvanized Steel

Online retailers sell galvanized steel raised garden beds. They come in different shapes and sizes, perfect for accommodating any type of plant. They're easy to set up - all that's required is the assembly of a few galvanized steel parts.

Galvanized steel is resistant to rust, making it ideal for garden beds. This means they also last longer than most wood garden beds, which means older adults won't have to worry about constantly rebuilding their planters.

Cedar Wood

Always use untreated wood when creating raised garden beds. Chemically treated wood can contaminate the soil, leeching harmful toxins. However, untreated wood, such as cedar, is ideal for these types of gardening projects.

Gardening Benefits for Elderly Adults

Seniors in assisted living can garden to build friendships with other residents. While bonding over a mutual love of gardening, older adults can come together for socialization.

Additionally, gardening works to reduce high blood pressure. It can also alleviate stress and improve overall mental health, making it a great activity for everyone to enjoy.

While engaging in outdoor activities such as planting, older adults are exposed to additional gardening benefits such as Vitamin D. This works to promote healthy:

Bones
Teeth
Muscles

Even better, gardening offers older adults a form of physical exercise. As they carry tools, dig holes for plants and seeds, water their garden, and more, they're getting in an important workout.

Simple garden tasks may help with individuals receiving memory care. This is because of the outdoor sensations and experiences. Being outside can stimulate a person's senses, helping them to recall some of their happiest memories.

According to Harvard Medicine, smell is greatly connected to memory, and planting a garden can be very beneficial.