From Sarah’s garden to yours

Once the bug bites, gardening is a hobby that lasts a lifetime. It can be a passion enjoyed by people from all ages and stages in life, and there is no age limit to when you can start and when you must stop.

Often times, gardening starts when young families embark on a mission to grow their own food to ease their budget and demonstrate to their children where their food comes from. Gardening is also discovered by first time homeowners who suddenly have a backyard that needs caring for and find turning it into another living space or just spending time pottering about tending plants can be so beneficial.

While these are the most common entry points, it isn’t the only way a love of gardening is begun. Nevertheless, whatever the reason and however old a gardener was when they began, we are all aging. A robust young gardener doesn’t think twice about digging in the soil all day, wheeling copious amounts of compost or well-rotted manure into a new growing space. Kneeling over ground level plants to weed or tend to their needs is a piece of cake. Gardening is exhilarating and the sense of exhaustion at the end of the day is a badge of honour, acknowledging a job well done.

Later in life, we find that digging and barrowing is best spread out over several days to break the job up into manageable chunks. Raised beds become more desirable to elevate the plants to a more comfortable height to work with. Aching bones and tired muscles at the end of the day in the garden are something to be avoided at all costs. The satisfaction of a job well done comes from seeing a long-term project finally finished. Whether the gardener is full of strength and energy or more cautious with a considered pace, the satisfying reward for effort spent in the garden is always on offer. Just being present in the garden is a reward.

As a living thing, a garden is constantly growing and changing. It needs the continual attention from its gardener to stay looking its best. There is a Chinese proverb that says, “The best fertilizer is the gardener’s shadow”. Acknowledging the slowing down over time as we age, can mean we achieve less with our time in the garden, which can lead to feelings of frustration as the ‘to do’ list never seems to come to an end.

This is the time to work smarter not harder. There can be a sense of satisfaction to toil in the garden, knowing every inch of garden like the back of our hands. But there comes a point when this is no longer practical and if we are to continue to have a beautiful and productive outdoor space, changes are necessary.

Here are some ideas to continue to have the best-looking garden:

Ask for help

This is surprisingly hard to do. The garden is such a personal space, created out of love and most of the jobs are enjoyed for what they are.  However, having help to tackle the more difficult strenuous tasks saves unnecessary effort.  A strong young person can do the job in half the time. Feel free to supervise closely to still feel connected with the task.

Equally satisfying is working alongside a friend whilst slowly and casually chit chatting your way through a weedy garden bed. A problem shared is a problem halved. Involving a young person in the garden is a way to pass on your knowledge and experience as well as creating a productive environment. You are creating wonderful memories, a legacy and ensuring the love of gardening transcends future generations.

Water well

Instead of dragging hoses or watering cans, and spending hours making sure  all the plants are well hydrated, consider installing a micro irrigation system or, at the very least, a water computer on the tap and a sprinkler in the garden. The initial installation may take increased effort and cost, however the long-term rewards mean the garden will remain healthier due to consistent watering, while time and energy can be saved for other more interesting gardening projects.

Smarter tools

Don’t let the expression "A poor worker blames his tools." become a negative self-message – sometimes it is the tools. Make sure all of your cutting tools are as sharp as they can be; a sharp blade should glide through a branch like a knife through butter. Trying to prune a plant with blunt secateurs is not good for the plant or the gardener. It is also a good idea to look at your favourite tools and see if there is a better option. With technology constantly evolving, what was once ‘the’ product for the job, has now been replaced by something smarter and more efficient.

Look for tools made with lightweight materials or that have an ergonomic design making them more comfortable to hold. In some situations, a basic tool has been completely redesigned to make the job easier. Take for example loppers with integrated rachets that give increased power for less effort. Another example is a robotic lawnmower that can save you hours of time pushing a mower across your lawn every couple of weeks. A battery-operated sprayer can deliver a quick spray to a pest-ridden plant without creating an ache in weak hands. Take a trip to the garden centre and have a good look at what is available and make an upgrade you won’t regret.

Garden review

Have an honest look at the garden itself. Does it need to adapt to the changes ahead? Do higgledy-piggledy paving stone paths need to be upgraded to something smoother to remove a tripping hazard? Do high maintenance plants need to be swapped out for something more easy care? Should slopes be terraced?

Take more time

A garden can never have enough seating areas to stop, rest, and enjoy a nice cup of tea whilst admiring all that you have achieved. Plan to spend more time just being in the garden and allow its rejuvenating properties to fill you with the joy it has always provided.