Many of life’s little pleasures can pass you by when you’re busy with family life or a demanding job. That’s why many of us try to spend retirement enjoying all the fun and relaxing activities that often got pushed to the bottom of the to-do list in our younger years.
In this guide, we’ll go through the steps to take, including how to create a herb garden if you are in a senior living community. Read on for all the tips on making the best senior-friendly herb garden in retirement.
Pick the Perfect Location for Easy Herb Gardening
Herb gardens need suitable soil and ample sunlight to thrive. So, your first job is to find a suitable spot in your senior living community.
Herbs need a place to get at least four hours of sunshine a day, so look in your outdoor spots that aren’t too shady. Of course, you’ll also need permission from the building and grounds manager, and you won’t be able to pick a place already reserved for seating or landscaped gardens.
Make sure the location is easily accessible for those with limited mobility.
Choose Your Herbs
Hardy herbs that are easy to grow are perfect for a senior living community, as you won’t want the demands of something that needs close care.
These gardens should provide a relaxing and low-maintenance pastime for residents. Here are some excellent herb options to add to your list:
- Basil
- Mint
- Parsley
- Chives
- Lavender
- Rosemary
Always get feedback from residents about what herbs to choose. Some may already have experience with herb gardens and can offer invaluable advice about how to care for these plants.
Consider Raised Garden Beds for Accessible Gardening
Some residents will have mobility problems, making bending down to tend to herb gardens challenging. Therefore, it’s worth considering raised beds for your plot.
They’ll reduce strain for residents and lower the risk of issues like back and joint pain. Plus, there are lots of ways to customize the height, size, and shape of raised beds to fit your plot layout perfectly.
Another practical reason to opt for raised beds is that they help with drainage, avoiding damage to the plants after heavy rain.
Gardening Tips for Seniors: Invest in the Best Tools
High-quality gardening tools can make it easier to care for a herb garden. Here are some gardening tools to have on your shopping list:
- Trowel
- Hand rake
- Weeding tool
- Watering can
- Hose
- Kneeling pads or stools
- Gloves
- Pruning shears
Try to buy as many accessible tools as possible that are well-suited to seniors.
That means having easy grips for those with difficulty with fine motor skills and easy-to-reach tools that limit the amount of bending and kneeling needed. Also, ensure you have sufficient items for everyone wanting to participate.
Think About Your Watering Solution
A modern herb garden doesn’t need to rely on ad hoc water from a can. There are more sophisticated watering solutions you can put in place for your community herb garden. Here are some ideas:
- Set up a simple irrigation system
- Use soaker hoses
- Try a self-watering planter
- Mulching
A low-maintenance option will allow residents to enjoy the herb garden without it becoming a chore. Plus, they’re better in the long run for giving your herbs water, so you’ll have a plentiful supply of fresh, high-quality herbs.
Keep a Schedule
When handling a community garden, you need an organized approach to ensure it gets the care it needs.
People aren’t doing jobs that overlap. That’s why a schedule is important, which may even include a rota if that’s what works best for you. Jobs on the rota might consist of:
- Checking the moisture content of the soil
- Pruning
- Planting
- Removing weeds
- Harvesting
- Watering
Ask residents to volunteer for jobs and try and rotate things to keep it stimulating for residents. Keep some gardening books handy to troubleshoot any issues you spot with the herbs or the soil.
Consider a Mini Indoor Herb Garden
Some residents may have mobility issues that make accessing an outdoor herb garden hard. If that’s the case in your community, consider a smaller indoor one available to all residents.
Potted herbs are surprisingly easy to grow; all you need is a space near a window for them to sit.
They offer the bonus of being a relaxing item of decor to add to private living spaces or a communal lounge, and they also have a pleasant aroma. An indoor herb garden also means you don’t have to worry about temperamental weather or pests.
Improving Senior Wellness: Gardening
Remember that a herb garden is so much more than a way to grow ingredients for your kitchen. When you plan it right, a community herb garden can contribute to residents’ well-being.
The calming scents of the herbs and the therapeutic effect of working with nature can help those facing anxiety or stress.
To make the most of this, ensure your group gardening sessions add to this calming experience by offering time for residents to meditate, read a book, or take in nature. You could also serve some relaxing herbal teas at the end of each session.
Involve Residents in the Herb Garden Design
Residents can enjoy the herb garden more when they feel involved in the setup. Invite residents to input into the planning, such as what herbs to choose, designing the raised beds, and planning a rota.
It makes the activity more sociable, too. Discussing ideas together as a group makes residents feel empowered, and they’ll take pride in what they achieve.
Creating a Senior-Friendly Herb Garden
There is something uniquely therapeutic and relaxing about being outdoors and tending to a garden. A senior-friendly herb garden is something you’ll enjoy, and you’ll reap the rewards with plenty of fresh herbs for your kitchen.
Discover how we weave enriching activities into retirement life at TerraBella Roswell Senior Living. With a caring, professional staff, a busy calendar, and the best amenities, it will help you spend your retirement years in style.
