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Easy, Affordable Gardening and Landscaping Tips for People of All Ages

We all want to have a beautiful lawn, a home with a stunning landscape, or a little patch of earth we can call our own. Sometimes, however, that’s easier said than done. For some people, green thumbs come naturally, but for others, gardening can be a little more difficult. For seniors or those with health conditions, considerations must be taken for safe, healthy gardening.

Luckily, there are many options available if you’re looking to spruce up your garden. Here’s some advice for people of all ages, including seniors, on low-maintenance, budget-friendly landscaping and gardening options:

Raised Beds

Using raised beds can be helpful a gardening technique. Raised garden beds are great for seniors who may have back trouble and other physical issues. According to NPR, back pain has been directly linked to bending over at the waist. By raising your garden bed, it becomes more easily accessible, requiring less bending and less strain. If you do need to reach an area that’s lower to the ground, don’t bend over; just kneel.

Raised beds also improve the health of your plants and add beauty and texture to your landscaping. Raised bed gardens look great around the base of trees or other large plants, and they can add to the curb appeal of your home around porches, decks, and sloped yards. With a bit of creativity, you can create a flourishing garden that’s easier to maintain and better for your and your plants’ health.

Protecting Your Hands

Many people make the mistake of not thinking of wearing gloves while gardening. However, protecting your hands when you garden is extremely important. Gardening gloves can protect your hands from thorns, insect bites, injuries, and much more. Of course, not all gardening gloves are made equal. There’s a lot to consider while shopping around, and this article from DIY Guys does a good job of breaking things down.

Accessible Landscaping

In addition to the tips listed above, you can also make gardening and landscaping easier on yourself by making your outdoor spaces more accessible for people of all ages and health conditions. Another way to make gardening and landscaping easier is by using a technique called container gardening. In container gardening, you’ll grow plants, flowers, or vegetables in smaller containers that can easily be placed outdoors during warmer months or moved indoors, if needed. You could even use this technique for growing your own herb garden or creating a small indoor greenhouse. The options are limitless.

You could also take some of Bob Vila’s own ideas on incorporating lazy landscaping. One of the easiest things to do is reduce the size of your yard. The smaller the yard, the lower maintenance your landscape will be. How does one reduce the size of a yard. It’s actually pretty simple: You perform something called “hardscaping,” which involves using bricks, decorative stone, concrete, and other materials to cover the grassier areas of your lawn and yard. When hardscaping is combined with accessible features like raised garden beds, it creates a beautiful, low-maintenance garden landscape.

One final note on landscaping: It’s important to look at your budget and consider whether it really makes sense for you to do it all yourself or if hiring an expert is the way to go. For instance, some experts say it’s best to hire a professional to mow your lawn. Most homeowners only save a few hundred dollars per year by mowing their own lawns, and yet it takes them many more hours of time and energy in the hot sun than if they’d just hired a professional.

Gardening provides many physical and mental health benefits for seniors, as well as for people of all ages. It’s a great way to relax, reduce stress and anxiety, and spend more time in nature. It also encourages some physical activity and strengthens muscles. Following the advice in this article can help make gardening and landscaping more accessible for seniors, those who have physical conditions, or those who are limited on time and money. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, give it a try. You might just find a healthy, easy, and affordable new hobby that you’ll enjoy for the rest of your life.