Has gardening become too difficult for you? Whether your concerns are time, space or physical capabilities, there are methods and procedures to help you continue gardening.

The Garden Smart, Garden Easy Program, also known as the Accessible Gardening Program, was started by Sussex County Master Gardener Bob Williams many years ago after he developed back problems. Since then, this award-winning program has been recognized for its ability to help keep people in the garden.

The Master Gardeners are always on the hunt for tools and tips to share that will encourage people to continue gardening. Why is that important? For so many of us, it is continuing a tradition that may have started years ago when we gardened with our parents or grandparents. It gets us up and out in the sunshine, stimulates our minds and our senses and helps keep us mobile and hopefully a little more flexible. Let’s look at some of the tips that will help renew your interest and ability to garden.

Time: While you may or may not be working full time anymore, it seems that the demands on our time just keep increasing. Grabbing a few hours in the early morning or later in the afternoon to do chores works for some people. A tip Master Gardeners offer is to set things up to make it easier to get a job done without a huge time investment. One of the simplest and most popular ideas is to put an old mailbox out in the garden (attach it to a post or sit it on a bench). Inside store a pair of gardening gloves, pruners, maybe a trowel or other small tools. This will save a trip to the garage when out working in the garden.

Watering flower and vegetable beds takes a lot of time but can be manageable with some forethought. In garden beds, use soaker hoses or an irrigation that can be attached to a hose. This allows gardens to be watered while performing other chores. Even better, attach a timer to the hose spigot and then attach the hose to the timer. You can then set the time needed to water the garden bed, and it will do it automatically.

Space: Do you have too much or too little? Both can have their own problems. In the interest of space for this article, let’s focus on those who are dealing with downsizing. If you have the room, this is a good time to put in one or two raised beds. The size can be adapted to available space. Try to make sure they are near a water source to eliminate having to drag hoses. Water barrels are a space-saving potential water source when spigots are not close by. If you have only a small space, use flowerpots for both flowers and veggies. There are many unique and imaginative containers which can be adapted for use in your space. Almost anything can be adapted to hold flowers or vegetables. Have an old wheelbarrow which has outlived its usefulness? Fill it with soil and beautiful flowers, then park it in the garden.

Physical changes: Physical changes due to aging or disease can make gardening more difficult but it does not have to end it. New products are coming on the market all the time that make adapting gardening methods possible to account for any changes you may be experiencing. A few such products are flower beds on legs that allow you to stand and garden or even position a wheelchair right up to it, pruners and trowels that are designed for people who are living with arthritis, and adaptations for spigot handles which make it easier for those who have difficulty turning round handled faucets.

One of the most important adaptations one Master Gardener made as she got older was to switch out very beautiful, but very heavy, ceramic pots for plastic pots. You can get any size needed and if the color is not right, they are easy to paint. Also, do not overlook the fabric planters that are available in stores and online garden sites.

This is only the tip of the iceberg for ideas on how to adapt gardening methods as needs dictate. Gardening is an activity that stimulates the senses, helps with mobility and flexibility and is also a great pastime that you can share with family and friends. Enjoy!

For more information on the Garden Smart, Garden Easy Program, go to the UD website at www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/environmental-stewardship/master-gardeners/garden-smart.
For questions on this subject or any gardening topic, call the Master Gardener Helpline: in New Castle County, 302-831-8862; in Kent County, 302-730-4000; and in Sussex County, 302-831-3389.

For information about workshops, visit udel.edu/master-gardeners and click on Garden Workshops. In addition to the new workshops, the online archive of older presentations, Master Gardener Minutes, photos and newspaper articles is viewable at our comprehensive resource page which summarizes our digital outreach: www.udel.edu/0012686.