The Recreation Department of Medford Township had the vision to create several raised planters as an addition to the very successful Community Garden Program. There are approximately 36 (20′ x 20′) garden plots and they are in demand each year. In fact, there has been a waiting list since the Community Garden Program was created. There are three hose bibs located throughout the area to help gardeners keep their plants growing strong and healthy. Some of the gardeners are into production, maximizing every square inch, while others are into creating some colorful displays. The Recreation folks did not want to forget about the older gardeners who want to continue participating each year. Raised planters were constructed and installed for the 2008 growing season to help them access their garden areas easier. The planters are created from recycled boards and measure 4′ x 8’x15″ high . The planters are not too ‘deep’ to allow a person to reach into the center of the planter. The reactions have been very positive and encouraging thoughts were offered for the 2009 season. (Details of the raised planters can be obtained by emailing Jack at jpcarman1@comcast.net) I had an opportunity to talk with some of the gardeners who utilized the raised planters. “They are easy for us to work in and are absolutely marvelous” was one of the comments offered. Another participant exclaimed that ‘they are easy to weed and to keep the pests out’ (always a challenge for the on-grade gardeners.) One of the gardeners who is shorter in statue indicated that ‘I could sit on the edge and work because I am only 5′ tall.’ The gardeners who were garden testing the raised planters were satisfied overall. They have actually asked for additional planters. The Township is considering installing more this year. Additional information on the Medford Twp. Community Gardening Program can be obtained from the Township’s web site at http://www.medfordtownship.com
Gardening is important for older adults and a research study published in HortScience (44:6-223, 2009) validates what we have intuitively know. The study, “Physical and Psychological Health Conditions of Older Adults Classified as Gardeners or Nongardeners”, was conducted by Candice A. Shoemaker, Ph.D. and Mark D. Haub at Kansas State University. The results of the study indicate that “active gardeners and gardeners had greater hand strength and pinch force than non-gardeners.” The implications are that gardening, which is a physical activity, will help seniors to stay in shape as well as improve hand strength. Candice Shoemaker was interviewed by United Press International regarding the study and was quoted as saying that “older adults who are gardeners have better strength and pinch force, which is important as you age.” Dr. Shoemaker believes that “there’s a lot of natural motivation in gardening, you know there’s a plant you’ve got to go out and water and weed to keep alive. If we get the message out there that older adults can get health benefits from gardening, they’ll realize that they don’t have to walk around the mall to get exercise.” Gardening is a lot more interesting because you are outside in nature which is ever changing. Therefore, the results indicate that gardening improves the physical health of older adults and it also improves the person’s self-esteem. The link to the UPI article can be found at: http:/ /www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/02/04/Gardening_boosts_older_adults_self-esteem/UPI-10581233805895/
The signs that spring is approaching are increasing almost every day. The ground hog is one of the early indicators (even if he was less that optimistic this year). There are other signals that are emerging and the one that seems to signal loudly are the birds. Listening to their songs throughout the day makes me feel like the daffodils and forsythia cannot be that far behind. There are some simple and easy ways to attract birds into you garden. Be sure to provide plants that have fruit, nuts and/or seeds as a part of the plant. You can supplement these food sources by adding bird feeders to your garden. Nature will also add to their diet by supplying the worms and insects. The second and probably the most important element to add to your garden to encourage the birds to visit is water. Having a source of fresh water in the form of a bird bath will allow the birds to get a drink. Make sure the water is changed regularly and includes a heater for the remaining winter days. Shelter is also an important consideration and will offer protection from predators. Make sure that there are shrubs and trees in the garden where the birds can find protection and a place to build their nests. Putting these pieces into place will definitley encourage the birds to visit and spend time in your garden. The result will be a yard that is filled with wonderful melodies all season long. This is especially important for those older adults who may not be able to venture outside as often during the colder winters days, yet can still watch the birds from their windows.
As we get ready for another season in the garden, we should take the time to make sure the garden is safe for everyone, especially older adults. The rules for what we do to make the indoor areas of a home safe also applies to outdoor areas. Start by taking a general look around at the garden. Are there obvious things that we know will make enjoying the garden safer? Are the walking paths level and have not buckled with age? Are there over low hanging branches that need to be pruned back or shrubs that have grown over the walking path? Look for the obstructions that might make it difficult for someone to use the garden. There are things to watch out for on a daily basis when people are using the garden. Make sure that the paths are not slippery and have time to dry after watering. Be sure that hoses are put away and have not been left crossing the walk. Have tools been put away in the shed? Look to see if there are handrails, chairs and tables for people to steady themselves. Is the garden area visible from the indoors and windows are not obstructed by shrubs or trees. Is it possible to include a call system or have a cell phone available in the garden? Be sure to use stable furniture that is not prone to tipping. These and other considerations are important for the safe use of the garden. Additional information on garden evaluations can be obtained at http://www.designforgenerations.com or at jpcarman1@comcast.net
Recent research conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden indicates that remaining socially engaged and maintaining a positive outlook can help reduce the risk of developing dementia. “Our findings suggest that having a calm and outgoing personality in combination with a socially active lifestyle may decrease the risk of developing dementia even further”, as described by the studies author Hui-Xin Wang, Ph.D. The study appears in the January 20, 2009 issue of the Journal Neurology. This leads to the question of how to help people stay socially engaged. Having hobbies, expanding interests, maintaining relationships all go a long way to staying healthy. Creating environments that positively support a persons interaction with others are vital to their health and well-being. This applies to outdoor as well as indoor settings. The value of nature cannot be over emphasized. It is one things to be able to move about your home. It is as equally as important to be able to go next door and visit with the neighbors, to walk into town to pick up groceries for dinner or to attend a social event at church or other venues. The research validates what we know inherently know to be true. Our connection to the community positively impacts all aspects of our lives.
People do care about nature. We are ‘hard-wired’ to nature. The scientific term for this connection is called ‘biophilia.’ The term was popularized by the sociobiologist Edward O. Wilson in his 1984 book “Biophylia: The Human Bond With Other Species.” People subconsciously look to maintain a connection with nature and the world around us, specifically plants animals and landscapes. There are countless stories and we can point to examples in our everyday lives. A recent story in the January-February 2009 issue of the AARP Bulletin highlights this connection. It seems that older adult residents of a Mass. apartment complex were willing to go to battle to save the life of a crab apple tree. “The Shrewsbury Housing Authority, which manages Francis Gardens, a 100 unit complex for older adults, ordered the tree cut down in September so that a dumpster could be relocated. Lee Perone, 74, and Pat Henry, 65, didn’t want the dumpster beneath their windows. Besides, Perrone says, when the tree blooms, ‘It’s the most beautiful thing – pink.’ So the pair roped chairs around the tree and staged a sit-in. Both women received eviction notices. After a local lawyer volunteered to represent them, the housing authority backed down. The tree was saved.” People do care about nature, regardless of age and we need to be more aware of this fact. We all need to advocate for strengthening the connection with the natural world. Creating community gardens, walking trails, bike paths and simply places to enjoy nature are so very important.
The article in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer (1-21-09) discusses the need to focus greater attention on how we can prepare to meet the needs of an aging population. The article titled “Communities meeting the needs of an aging population” looks at NORC’s and other examples of how our communities are evolving to better address the needs of the coming age wave. The link to the article can be found at: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20090121_Municipal_planners_prepare_to_meet_needs_of_aging_population.html
The idea for an organic vegetable garden within the grounds of the White House seems to be gaining interest and momentum. I first heard the suggestion during a radio interview with Michael Pollan, author of ‘In Defense of Food‘, The Penguin Press in which Mr. Pollan talked about the need to return to creating of home and community gardens. The idea has been raised again, this time in the Wall Street Journal, on January 16, 2009 in the Weekend Journal. The article “Extreme Makeover: White House Edition” by Dominique Browning talks about redecorating the White house for the Obamas as well as looking at ways to make the overall residence ‘greener’. The WSJ article suggests that “the Obamas can kick off another Victory Garden movement in America’s suburbs, but it needs a new name…try Sunshine Gardens, symbolizing a return to sustainable farm practice using a plentiful energy supply.” I would like to explore the idea further in the coming months and see where it all leads. I think that we can and should expand on this notion. There are infinite number of possibilities as people grow their own vegetables. Backyards, front yards, balconies, roof tops, etc, are all feasible locations for raising fresh organice produce. Creating Sunshine Gardens will be good for everyone and not just in single family residences. There are opportunities to develop gardens in schools, hospitals, etc. People who want to ‘age-in-place’ will consider raising their own fresh vegetables in raised planters. The list goes on and on. This is a subject that will be explored further and actual examples of how it is being conducted today will be presented. Your comments and suggestions are most welcome. The link to the WSJ article can be found at the following link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123206925413188425.html?mod=rss_Lifestyle
The use of plants that are native to our geographical region is important for several reasons. These plants typically conserve water and in turn require less irrigation. They are hardier and less susceptible to unwanted garden pests. Native plants typically require less care and are easily adapted to the local environment. Many times they offer food and shelter for wildlife. Consideration for incorporating native plants into your garden is very important. Most every state has a native plant society. The organization for New Jersey, as an example, is the Native Plant Society of NJ. Their web site is http://www.njnps.org and the site is full of great information. There is a speaker series on a variety of topics and interests; list of plants; sources, references and other valuable information. You can sign up for their newsletter. And there are valuable tools that can help you create native plant areas in your yard, such as rain gardens, that capture the stormwater and utilize it within your own property. As we know, rain water can do more to provide the nutrients that plants need far better than we could ever do using the tap water from our home.
The web site One Square Inch talks about finding a quiet place in nature, in this case it is within Olympic National Park. The purpose is to protect the soundscape of the natural wilderness. The web site is: http://onesquareinch.org and I encourage you to visit. I was fascinated to read about the work of Gordon Hempton who ia an acoustic ecologist. His book, ‘One Square Inch of Silence‘ (Free Press) will be published in March 2009. It is great to be able to lose yourself in nature and not be distracted by man-made noises. It is not all that easy to find a quiet sanctuary where the sounds of planes flying overhead, people talking or cars rattling by can interrupt our train of thoughts. One of the many therapeutic aspects of gardening is the peace and solitude that spending time in nature brings. Thinking about this, I am reminded that I get ‘lost’ in my garden and can tune out the worlds distractions. One of my favorite times to ‘work’ in the garden is early moring , before everyone wakes up. I can focus on deadheading, pulling weeds, composting, seperating perennials or many of the other endless tasks that gardeners pursue. I start thinking about what I need to do and before I know it an hour or more has passed. This is the quiet fascination that the garden offers. Nature is, as Roger Ulrich, Ph.D. describes, a ‘positive dostratction.’ Nature has the ability to take our mind of of the many things that happen throughout the day. Nature does not question, comment or judge us. Nature simply accepts us for who we are.
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Design For Generations, LLC
Jack Carman F.A.S.L.A.
92 Tallowood Drive
Medford NJ 08055
Voice – 609-953-5881
Fax – 609-953-1625
jack@designforgenerations.com
www.designforgenerations.com
