Gardening Tips for Seniors in Care Homes
Gardening is a favorite pastime for many older Canadians. It’s a great way for them to stay active and live a long and happy life. When it comes to retirement, one of the concerns about moving to a smaller home has been the loss of this loved hobby.
However, downsizing your living space doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy growing your favorite plants, flowers, or food. It just requires a lot of creativity.
Tips for Gardening in a Care Home:
- Create a green wall with over-sized pots: If you have a patio or balcony you can add some privacy by creating a line of large pots with different plants.
- Design a wall planter that has space to hold plants vertically. Also, consider hanging planters that you can hang on your ceiling if there is no other space.
- Try using your old belongings in your garden. An old hanging organizer or shoe holder can serve as a mini vertical garden space. Fill each slot with some potting soil and your favorite plant and hang it up outside.
- Make the most use of your window spaces. A tried and true way to stay green in a small space is window boxes. You can build your own, re-purpose recycled material or shop your local gardening store for a style you like.
- Buying a table or raised plant bed is a great way to get your greens into a smaller space. It also gives you the added advantage of not having to bend down as much.
- Think vertically! Placing plants at different levels throughout the area can make it seem you have a bigger garden.
- When considering the plants to best fit your space, go for ones that don’t grow too big. Larger plants can give your space a crowded and cluttered look. This also applies to the number of plants you add to the area. Remember, less is more when you have a small gardening space.
The secret is really being creative with the space you have. Consider how you could re-purpose old containers, shelves, tables and more into your gardening space. As well, are there any empty spaces in your new home that could double as a garden, such as a drive way?
If you have any concerns or would like some help living more comfortably at home or booking an in home visit, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-866-982-2737 and speak with some about setting up an at home care assessment today.
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