Gardening is a rewarding and age-friendly activity that can benefit senior citizens of North Dakota in many ways. The warm weather has been bringing spring to the area, signaling the perfect time for seniors to get started on this hobby.
Benefits of Gardening
Gardening is great for seniors because of the many benefits it can provide:
Mental
Gardening can stimulate the mind of seniors, by encouraging creativity through design and structures. It can also provide a sense of accomplishment when goals are achieved. Gardening offers relief from stress. It also encourages socialization as it is an activity that can be done with others or while talking to neighbors.
Physical
The physical benefits of gardening cannot be overstated. Gardening keeps seniors active and encourages them to move around. This can help maintain mobility, balance, strength, and endurance. Planting produce also allows access to fresh, healthy ingredients that are easier to use when they're right outside the door.
Steps to Planning a Garden
Before getting started, it's important to plan out the garden. Here are some steps seniors can take to create a successful spring garden of their own:
Decide Where You Want to Place the Garden
The location of a garden should be properly selected to get the most out of it. Choose an area that is not too far away and will get plenty of sun during hotter parts of the day.
Select Plants
When it comes to the types of plants you want, look for ones that are native to North Dakota and can handle the climate. Some popular local plants in North Dakota include:
- Common Milkweed
- Western Red Columbine
- Blazing Star
- Prairie Aster
- Adam's Needle Yucca Plants
- Coneflowers
You can choose all of these or a few favorites, depending on the size of the garden.
Get the Soil Ready for Planting
Making sure the soil is ready for planting requires a few steps. The area should be cleared of any weeds or debris. You need to use fertilizer and organic materials to enrich it. If there are drainage issues, they need to be addressed as well.
Plant the Flowers, Produce, and Herbs
Once everything is set up, it's time to start planting. The best time of the year for this typically ranges from April to June in North Dakota. Consider using companion plants that can support each other and making sure you're spacing out seedlings well.
You and your senior loved one might need to break up the planting over a few days or a week. For a senior, planting can be physically challenging so plant at their pace with frequent breaks.
Maintain Your Garden
To keep the garden looking its best, you need to set up a maintenance plan. This means watering and weeding regularly. It also involves trimming plants when necessary and using pest control methods if needed.
Senior Helpers Fargo Can Provide Support for a Senior's Hobbies
Gardening does not have to be challenging, and it offers great benefits for seniors in Fargo, West Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Valley City, and Wahpeton. If your senior loved one needs help going to the nursery or remembering to maintain the plants and flowers, Senior Helpers Fargo can provide the needed support. Check out the ways we can help your senior loved one today!