Gardening for Aging Green Thumbs

Gardening is an enjoyable activity for lots of people, and the benefits to our health, our environment, and our communities are numerous. This is true for older adults as well. According to this 2020 study from the National Institute of Health, gardening for older adults has many positive psychological, physical and social benefits. Among other things, older gardeners report that “their continued involvement in gardening may be a particularly important contribution to their sense of self”. 

Like many other favorite pastimes, though, older gardeners may need to adapt how they garden as they age. Many of the Broomfield Master Gardeners have experience working with this population, and have good suggestions to keep gardening enjoyable despite challenges. Kara Kroupa, a Master Gardener who also happens to be on the Board of Senior Resources of Broomfield, Inc., says there are lots of adaptive tools out there to make gardening easier. “A great tool can make all the difference!” she says. “Whether disabled, dealing with chronic pain or arthritis, ergonomics play a big part in allowing people to enjoy gardening while avoiding aggravating any health issues.” 

One of her go-to recommendations is using a raised garden bed. Not only can a raised garden bed provide some basic advantages for any gardener, like better drainage, the potential for fewer pests, and fewer weeds, it also requires less bending and generally requires less physical exertion. This makes it a great choice for somebody in a wheelchair, for example, or somebody who has increasingly limited mobility. (This Oregon State University Extension publication provides good step-by-step instructions for constructing a raised garden bed). For those with joint or knee issues, a kneeling pad can be a great way to ease the discomfort and to get up safely again after kneeling on the ground. 

Broomfield Master Gardener Shari Burton also happens to be a horticulture therapist. She helped in the creation of a sensory garden in the Teaching Vegetable Garden at the Brunner Farmhouse and Gardens. According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, “horticultural therapists have a foundation of knowledge in plant science, human science, and horticultural therapy principles and experience in the application of horticultural therapy practices”. Shari particularly likes how gardening is helpful in maintaining and improving fine motor skills in hands and fingers, for example, as individuals age, and the therapeutic sensory aspects of touch and smell that a garden can provide. 

Want to learn more about the benefits of gardening for aging green thumbs? Shari and Kara, as well as fellow Master Gardener Ellie Friedman, will be leading a breakout session at the upcoming Broomfield Living in Balance Aging Well Expo. Their session, called “Gardening Through the Cold: Winter Container Tips & Q&A With Master Gardeners” will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 10 at the Broomfield Community Center. The Master Gardeners will also have a booth at the Expo. Just as the name suggests, the Living in Balance Expo will provide resources and information for how to age in a balanced and healthy way.

What is Chaos Gardening?

Perhaps you haven't heard of it yet, but chaos gardening is a trendy, low-pressure landscaping approach that scatters a wide variety of seeds over a planting area with minimal planning. But is the result really wild beauty, or just a mess?

Deryn Davidson, Colorado State University's Sustainable Landscape Specialist, explains the trend and when it does and doesn't work in this online article. Earlier this week, CSU Extension hosted a free gardening webinar on the topic: Chaos Gardening – A Playful Path to Sustainable Gardening. If you missed it, a recording will soon be available on the PlantTalk Colorado website.

Dehydration and Older Adults

Jessica Clifford, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Colorado State University, shares warning signs of dehydration in older adults and tips for avoiding it in her latest blog on the Live Smart Colorado website. Clifford says almost all fluids count toward keeping you hydrated, even coffee!

Vegetable Garden Basics Class

Thursday, Sept. 25, 6-7 p.m.

Teaching Vegetable Garden at Brunner Farmhouse

Free, no registration required

Come learn about End of Season Essentials at the last Vegetable Garden Basics class of the year! The instructor will cover late season tasks like winterizing your irrigation, planting overwinter crops, and garden cleanup. The class will be held outside in the garden.

Fermentation and Health: Fact or Fiction

Tuesday, Sept. 30, 12 p.m.

Online webinar

Free, but must register

Join John Wilson, PhD, CSU Assistant Professor in Fermentation Science, as he discusses the process of fermentation, prebiotics, probiotics, and the health impacts of fermented foods. He will share practical tips and evidence-based guidance for adding fermented foods to your diet.

Space Invaders: Garden Variety Monsters

Free CSU Extension Gardening Webinar

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 12-1 p.m.

Online, but must register

Everyone has likely made the mistake of planting garden “thugs” – the plants that take over your landscapes. Join Alison O’Connor from CSU Extension to identify a few of these plants and alternatives that are better behaved. This webinar will be recorded and posted to PlantTalk.org/webinars a few days following the live presentation.

Create Seasonal Art Outside!

Autumn, the pause between the heat of summer and cold of winter, is the perfect time to get outside and create! CSU Extension Specialist Rachel Juritsch offers many creative ideas on combining art and nature in ways that not only pique interest but also provide many health benefits. Read her complete article on the Live Smart Colorado website.

Embrace the Positive Aspects of Aging!

CSU Extension Specialist Ginger Williams offers excellent suggestions for aging positively including these action tips:

• Find a local volunteer opportunity that aligns with your passions
• Get out in nature, whether for a short walk or a long hike
• Join iNaturalist.org
• Discover free and low-cost learning opportunities through Colorado State University Extension or AARP's Senior Planet

Read Ginger's full article on Live Smart Colorado.

Cottage Foods Safety Training

Offered by Colorado State University Extension, this nationally-recognized training program covers the specifics of the Colorado Cottage Food Act and how to safely operate a food business from a home kitchen. The online class, starting at $55.20, is next offered on these dates:

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1-4:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 13, 12-3:30 p.m.

Fall Resources

Canning Fruit Properly (CSU Extension)

Fall-Planted Bulbs and Corms (CSU Extension)

Fall Lawn Fertilization (PlantTalk)

Fall and Winter Watering of Plants and Trees (CSU Extension)

Extending the Fall Season (18 perennials suggested by Plant Select)

Preparing Your Sprinkler System for Winter (CSU Extension)

Saving Seed (CSU Extension)

Soil Testing (Colorado State University)

Fall Paper Shred Event

Protect your identity while securely destroying your confidential items, such as tax, medical and bank documents, for free at the Fall Shred-It event. Broomfield residents can shred a maximum of three banker’s boxes of paperwork at the Shred-It event Saturday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Norman Smith Service Center. Shred-It will also take up to three 32-gallon trash bags of already shredded paper. No appointment is required.

Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Drop-off Event

Make your appointment for the household hazardous and electronic waste drop-off event Saturday, Oct. 4! Broomfield residents can drop off items such as aerosols, fertilizers, weedkillers, electronic waste and more at NO CHARGE! Make your appointment, view a full list of accepted items and find details about the event at Broomfield.org/HHW.

Living in Balance Aging Well Expo

Mark your calendar for the annual Living in Balance Aging Well Expo! This FREE event will be packed with great information from numerous vendors, five break-out sessions, drop-in craft activity and a keynote speaker who will challenge and inspire you to make connections for a healthier life! The expo will take place Friday, Oct. 10, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Broomfield Community Center. If you would like to attend lunch during the expo, register on B-REx.com or call 303-464-5500, option 8. To learn more, visit Broomfield.org/LivinginBalance.

Recruiting Snow Pals Volunteers

Keep a deserving senior neighbor in need safe this winter by signing up to be a Snow Pal! By volunteering to shovel snow, you help create a safer environment for them to be able to leave the house, and allow for medical personnel to enter if needed. It is a great way to truly make a difference in your community and can mean the world to a neighbor! Sign up to volunteer at Broomfield.org/BroomfieldPals.