If you’re a keen gardener, then you’ll always want your outdoor spaces to look their best. But what if you can’t maintain your garden yourself anymore? Or you’re worried that you’ll be unsteady on your feet outside? Having help at home from family members or our dedicated carers means that you’ll still be able to make the most of spring’s warmer, longer days.

Benefits of gardening for mental & physical well-being 

There are few things more enjoyable than getting your hands in warm soil on a beautiful spring day! After the hibernation of winter, many plants and shrubs will be looking for a bit of TLC once spring arrives, and they’ll need to be handled carefully to make sure they get to thrive as the warmer months progress. Getting back to nature is beneficial for both physical and mental well-being, as the physical activity will help to keep muscles and joints supple and utilised while caring for living things is both satisfying and relaxing. There’s so much to be said for growing something and enjoying the fruits (or vegetables!) of your labour when it’s ready and eating produce from your own garden is one of life’s real satisfactions.

While you need to have plenty of patience if you’re going to enjoy growing your own food, flowers may already be about to poke through the softened soil as spring arrives. Daffodils, snowdrops and crocuses are some of the earliest spring flowers to arrive and if you already have bulbs in your garden they will be eagerly waiting to appear. Increased activity is just oe of the benefits that gardening can bring, even if only done lightly. Because gardening is an ongoing activity that needs to be done to some extent throughout the year, it will assist mobility and encourage regular movement. This can help, to some extent, prevent heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis. Gardening can also improve your quality of life because your garden may be a space that you love and have enjoyed happy times in.

Easy-to-maintain plants for small gardens, patios & windowsills 

To achieve a low-maintenance garden that will largely look after itself, you’ll need plants that need very little attention. There are many varieties available, and according to B&Q, you should “go for hardy perennials and evergreen shrubs, as you won’t need to replant them every year.” Once established, they’ll provide colour and benefit wildlife, such as bees and butterflies. Many different varieties of perennial flowers are available, such as dianthus, sempervivum and echinacea, and popular shrubs include lavender, spiraea, fuchsia, hydrangea, and buddleia, otherwise known as the butterfly plant. You can plant holly and ivy if you’d like a Christmas-themed display and can put shrubs into large pots if you want to contain their growth within available space. If you find it difficult to get out and about, many organisations offer plants that can be ordered online or via mail. If you already have plants, shrubs and bulbs planted but you’re struggling to maintain the space, your Helping Hands carer can assist with light weeding and planting. Window boxes and hanging baskets are a good alternative to planting borders and, if you choose carefully, will flower all season long. Begonias are a great choice for their colour and hardiness, as are geraniums and trailing petunias, all of which will brighten up any hanging basket throughout the warmer months.

Tips for making outdoor spaces accessible & enjoyable for all 

Even if you don’t have your own garden, it doesn’t mean you are excluded from enjoying all the delights that outdoor spaces can provide. Planting tubs with flowers or edibles will give you enjoyment, as well as satisfaction when they begin to grow. If you don’t fancy growing things yourself or you’re not terribly green-fingered you can still enjoy the delights of open spaces by visiting public parks or historic grounds. Many country houses have gardens open to the public and if you already have National Trust or English Heritage membership you should be able to access them. Don’t forget, your Helping Hands carer can accompany you on enjoyable days out and will assist you with transportation, accessibility and mobility support.
If you have a garden that’s become inaccessible to you through deteriorating mobility, it’s a good idea to investigate what adaptations can be made. Ramps, paving, and decking can all be utilised to make a once difficult space accessible, and many landscapers or builders will have ideas around planning your perfect outdoor space designed around your needs. This could include raised beds, wheelchair-friendly pathways and low-maintenance borders.
Gardening isn’t just a solo pursuit either. Many older people belong to gardening groups, who together contribute time and energy to maintain open spaces. They may also have allotments which can be tended as part of a community or urban planters in more built-up areas. These activities aren’t just physically beneficial, they can also help to stave off loneliness and isolation too.