What activity do you refuse to give up? How do you adapt to age?
I spent the afternoon in my favorite place - my yard and garden. I have gardened since the age of 9, had my own gardens for 54 years, been a Master Gardener volunteer for over 20 years and in two very different climates. I'm not "old" at 74 but I have a lot challenges with arthritis, bad shoulders, bad lungs, occasional vertigo...
While "removing winter" and preparing for the new season, I thought a lot about how to simplify 8 very different garden beds so I can manage them going forward.
Here are my ideas so far:
Simplify:
Replace annuals with tough perennials and attractive ground covers. Replace aggressive perennials with low-care shrubs.
Replace high-maintenance plants like roses with natives and other easy-care plants.
Use natural mulch and ground covers to keep weeds down, instead of wood chips that need to be replaced often.
Adapt:
Use mulch, Preen and ground cover to reduce weeds.
Hire help for the heavy work, and for intense seasonal tasks like "putting the gardens to bed." Even once or twice a year is a big help.
Put heavy patio pots on wheels for ease in moving.
Reduce:
Smaller gardens. A few vegetables in pots instead of a big garden (after all, you can get produce to can or freeze at the local Farmers' Market and support small businesses.)
Shrubs, decorations and landscape rocks in place of dozens or hundreds of plants.
Plant an "esy care" lawn rich in native clover or other ground cover and tough low-need, low-growing grasses.
Automate:
Irrigate with drip lines set on timers, or and irrigation system. The initial investment pays off over time.
What is your favorite activity, and how can you adapt as you go forward?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.
I'm almost 84 and as long as I can I will continue to do simple solo travel. Though,a recent trip to Cancun with family was great! Next I am taking the 24 hour trip from I where I live to Portland in coach on Amtrak to see my daughters. Next I'll fly to Texas to visit a boyfriend.
I got used to traveling alone when my daughter lived in Australia and I visited her 14 times.
I’m 74 and recently diagnosed with MAC /Bronchiectasis after not being able to breathe properly on the horses I’ve ridden my whole life. I will never give up riding. Right now I’m doing therapy riding which is good for my body, brain and heart and soul. I’ll keep going! Thank you all for being there!