Page 14 - Demo

Sunday, March 23, 2025 | Special Advertising Section 14Gardening, whether done with indoor potted plants or outdoors, is excellent for motor skill improvement and cognitive health. (Getty Images)Continued from page 13Another lighter-weight tool that Amandalei Bennett, a member of the North End Garden Club, recommends is a small chain saw for pruning. She chooses plants that don%u2019t require much dividing so she doesn%u2019t have to dig them up every year.Matter suggests starting small. For those wanting to plant food, consider placing a tomato in a pot or along a sunny wall. Basil is another sun-lover that is great in a pot on a balcony. %u201cIf you don%u2019t have a lot of sun, plant some greens, which you can replant every few weeks and keep yourself invested for the course of the growing season,%u201d she says.Many herbs are perennials and will last for years, even in containers. Rosemary, for spread %u2014 and fewer annuals.%u201dMatter uses more raised beds where she can pull up a chair, and more pots. %u201cI like those fake wine barrels because they aren%u2019t as heavy if you need to move them. Even those galvanized feeding troughs don%u2019t weigh that much,%u201d she says.She recommends using ergonomic tools and kneeling pads with handles you can use to help you up from the ground. They also flip over to convert into a stool. %u201cI also use lightweight hoses and a Y-fitting so that I don%u2019t have to move the hoses around as much,%u201d Matter says.Matter likes to change up her gardening routine so that she isn%u2019t using one part of her body too much or too often. %u201cYou can feel the physicality, but I find it clears my mind,%u201d she says.A hose or watering can slows down the hydration process, allowing her to enjoy her work. She also swears by a lightweight electric mower for a small lawn.lavender, thyme, oregano and mint are drought-tolerant, pest-resistant and great for pollinators. Some even deter pests from other plants. Matter recommends against planting mint in a garden bed as it spreads mercilessly. Always keep mint contained. Radishes are fast growers and ready for harvest in as little as three weeks.Bennett recommends getting rid of as much traditional lawn as you can and mulching or choosing plants that are lowgrowing to keep down the weeds. Moss is a great option if you want a green swath and it doesn%u2019t require mowing.%u201cMy garden has grown smaller as I have aged,%u201d Bennett says. %u201cI don%u2019t have to do as much as I did before, and I pace myself.%u201d What she does helps to keep her fit and healthy, Bennett says. %u201cWe have less control over things as we age, and this is something I can (control). I get great satisfaction out of it,%u201d she says.Looking to get involved but don%u2019t know where to start? Organizations that can help make you a better gardener include Tilth Alliance and the Master Gardener Foundation %u2014 members of which often staff tables at farmers%u2019 markets. Some senior centers and community centers also offer classes on gardening. Washington State University has a great downloadable pamphlet on gardening at every age available free (bit.ly/3EPg2Kn) and the state Garden Club (wagardenclubs.com) has a list of local clubs across the state.Gardening is for everyone and a wonderful growth opportunity for all ages.We have less control over things as we age, and this is something I can (control). I get great satisfaction %u201cout of it. Amandalei Bennett!\