1. Protect your skin. Wear long sleeves, gloves, and pants. And of course, use sunscreen.
2. Limit bending over by using a garden bench or seat and long tools for weeding.
3. Keep tools handy on a garden belt or rolling cart.
4. Mulch in order to prevent weeds.
5. Break down gardening tasks into 20-30 minute increments.
6. Counter the effects of gardening with swimming or yoga.
7. Use raised garden beds.
8. Recruit help if you're not able to complete a task.
9. Take breaks to stretch.
10. Change your body position and grip during longer activities.
You are never too old to enjoy gardening and having the satisfaction of watching plants grow. These tips should help you enjoy gardening all through your senior years.
This month's IWSG question is, "Do you get your story ideas from one place, or all over the place?"
I get mine from life, which for me, tends to be "all over the place." Many of my picture book ideas came from being a parent. My middle-grade Bubba and Squirt Adventure books came from my travels around the world. Some ideas come from what I see or what I read. Living brings all sorts of inspiration! Where do you get your ideas?
One more thing today—My book Happy Birthday to US! is in All Author's Cover of the month contest. If you like it, please consider voting for it. (You can vote anonymously.) Here's the link.
Thank you!
Never forget the sunscreen! Some of us burn easily.
ReplyDeleteCool your book is in the contest. Off to vote.
I have a garden bench but I need to get it out of the garage so I will use it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the contest!
I love gardening. Thanks for the tips. Good luck in the contest!
ReplyDeleteTip #11 If you lose your balance on the mulch, and grabbing at tiny azalea limbs does nothing to keep you from falling, tuck and roll. And hope your across-the-street neighbor doesn't have a security camera aimed at your front yard. LOL
ReplyDeleteThe number one tip has to be 'Look where you're going!'
ReplyDeleteOn the days I spend in the garden, I don't have to any downward facing dogs. I'm always heads down...the other end up. It's about weeds, you see.
ReplyDeleteAdvice number 6 is really good.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new book and best of luck with it.
ReplyDeleteVoted!! And I have 4 or 5 decades before I become a senior citizen:)
ReplyDeleteDear Sherry, congratulations on your book! Wonderful tips here, dear friend! I am a senior, 69 years young, will be 70 in October.
ReplyDeleteI love your Bubba and Squirt series. I'm just beginning to share them with my grandsons. A lot of my writing ideas come from raising my five kids.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the solid gardening tips. Truly need them.
My apartment complex had a gardening contest one year. I spent a fair chunk of change buying plants, flowers, supplies, a little fence...
ReplyDeleteThey canceled the contest without telling anyone, and mowed down everyone's hard work.
I don't live on the area anymore. But where I am now, I have one Aloe plant.
It's struggling. I'm sure it doesn't get enough sun or whatever. Maybe it hates the pot. Well, I can't really do anything about it. So, here we are.
Voted!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely sending your tips to my MIL.
Most of my ideas come from stuff I watch or hear, though it's been a while since I've had any mental space for anything new. Maybe once my series is done, I can fit new ideas in.
Voted. so proud of your book and all your inspirations. You definitely write well and give a gift to the young.
ReplyDeleteand hey - who you calling senior? ha! all good tips. Gotta say, the arms have to take breaks when hedge trimming. Dang!
My hubby, Gardener Ted, is thrilled we're getting rain to grow his garden! That makes him Happy Gardener Ted. Best wishes on your book, Happy Birthday USA!
ReplyDeleteMulch. The one thing I know is that it can catch fire. I've seen several fires started in parking areas, mostly because of mulch.
ReplyDelete“An indie author's success is never guaranteed, but neither is failure—so you might as well take the leap.” — Quote source Unknown
J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) @JLenniDorner ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge international blog hop