Adaptations make gardening easier, safer

Horticultural therapy makes gardening possible by changing either the garden or the gardener. “[G]ardening can be therapeutic because it can exercise almost every part of the body, including the thinking process,” said Janet Szofran, coordinator of Garden Reach — the horticultural therapy program at the Huntsville Botanical Garden.
   
The following tips compiled from gardeners and horticultural therapists can help senior adults stay active and safe in the garden.
   
• Start with a small garden so you do not get discouraged or overwhelmed.
   
• Decide what plants you must have, for example, a tomato plant or  favorite flowering plant. Then figure out how to have those things at a level where you can see them and tend them. 
   
• Use light gardening tools with ergonomic handles to minimize hand and wrist stress. Tie a cord around the handles  to make retrieval easier if tools are dropped.
   
• Use gloves to protect your hands and help maintain your grip on tools.
   
• Use a large magnifying glass to see small plants and seeds.
   
• Wear an apron or smock with large front pockets to carry seed packets and tools.
   
• Carry a whistle. A short blast can alert others if you need help.
   
• Provide a convenient source of water close to the garden.
   
• Rig hanging planters with a pulley to lower them for watering.
   
• Grow vining varieties of peas and beans that can be trained up a trellis to make harvesting easier.
   
• For the visually impaired, choose plants that appeal to other senses, such as fragrant herbs like basil, rosemary and lavender. Also try plants with textured leaves, like lamb’s ear or heliotrope. 
   
• Plant tomatoes, peppers or other vegetables that will produce nutritious food items.
   
• Pace yourself and take frequent breaks. After doing an activity for more than 10 minutes, reverse the motion or change activities to avoid repetitive stress injuries.