Article written to support Eden Alternative webinar

We really do enjoy being outside. Think back to the first time you learned how to ride a bike or fly a kite.  How about talking a walk in a park with your family on a spring day? You may have fond memories of a vacation at the beach or the mountains. Our interests in the outdoor environment include a variety of activities that may include gardening, hiking, bird watching, and so much more. Just because we get older, we don’t stop enjoying and participating in outdoor interests. The fact remains that we like to be outside in nature.  People want to be able to continue these activities – or even explore new interests and hobbies. And, it’s our task to help them do this!

There are always opportunities to connect with the outdoors and then create the gardens that support our ability to do so.  It doesn’t matter if the available area is large or small.  Even if it’s a patio or balcony, there is room for pots, a wind chime, bird feeder, and other nature related elements.  Many times, though, it is a question of where to get started.  This is an exciting part of the planning process because it taps into people’s interests, memories, and perhaps even long forgotten needs.

Let’s take the planning of a vegetable garden as one example of where to start. It begins with a conversation. Try asking someone: “What’s your favorite vegetable?”  You may get many answers.  And there is almost always one person who can tell you how to grow the best tomato plant (or zucchini or basil, etc.). Looking through garden catalogues is another way to encourage a conversation.  The late winter mail box is full of seed catalogues. Marking pages, cutting out pictures, filling out order forms is all part of the process.

The next step is to look at where the plants will grow.  What are the conditions?  Is there available space to grow the vegetable plants?  How is the soil? Is there good drainage?  Should you add compost or organic matter to the soil to make it work better? Is there water nearby to hook up a hose or use a watering can?  How about sun light? The more sun, the better the plants will do.  These are just some of the questions to ask in planning the garden.  If it is your first time, it may seem like a lot to take in.  Find a seasoned gardener, they understand what is involved.  Begin with simple steps. Gardening is as much about community and socialization as it is growing fresh food.

A vegetable garden is one example of the many ways you can meet the needs of your community. Herb, butterfly, and/or perennial gardens are other wonderful options to consider. A garden can help Elders remain engaged. There is a sense of purpose involved when someone is responsible for keeping the plants alive. Even picking fresh basil and tomatoes to use for preparing the dinner meal can be encouraging.

Another question to ask – and sometimes it is the elephant in the room – what is the garden going to cost? A garden, many times, has more to do with sweat equity. Who can help clear the area for the garden and prepare the soil. There may be a local garden club that is interested in helping.  You may need to use raised planters or containers for growing the plants.  Eagle Scouts are often looking for projects, and their help can be enlisted to build the planters. Funds may be available through local organizations to support a new garden program or a grant through a national association.

A poignant example of how and why our interest in nature does not change involves a story of an Elder living in a care community. Mrs. Jones lives with dementia and is a very active person.  She is often seen walking with her purse under her arm, as if she were walking in her old neighborhood.  She stops to say “hello” to people.  Along the way, she will check on the plants.  She puts her finger in the pot to see if it is dry and needs water and gets help to water the plant.  This is a direct result of the things that she did throughout her life, and clearly one reason why it is so important for her to have access to nature.

Our connection to nature positively affects our overall health and quality of life. Access to nature has been shown to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. There is a natural absorption of Vitamin D when exposed to the sun for a short period of time. Being outside during the day will help to balance our circadian rhythms, which are the natural wake and sleep cycles of the body.  Think about how good you feel from being outside and working up an appetite from working in the garden or taking a walk.  This doesn’t change as we age.

Gardens in all environments have long been an untapped resource.  So, let’s get started!  Consider contacting a trained landscape design professional, such as a landscape architect, experienced in the design and development of gardens for Elders. Doing so ensures the success of your planning process.

The process of planning, growing, and maintaining gardens meets individual needs, as well as that of the overall organization. A garden offers an opportunity to build on the past interests and passions of Elders, engage teams in powerfully creative and collaborative ways, and recharge community spirit and enthusiasm.

Jack Carman, FASLA, RLA, CAPS
Design for Generations, LLC
609-953-5881
jack@designforgenerations.com
www.designforgenerations.com