Gardening produces more than simply tasty, nutritious foods. Growing your own plants, whether to consume or merely to admire their beauty, is beneficial to your general health.
Doctors and psychologists have indicated that gardening has substantial mental and physical health benefits. Older folks who cultivate gardens reap numerous health benefits, including stress reduction and the development of a healthy outlook.
Gardening in retirement can help you maintain your physical strength while also improving your motor skills. Some plants are easier for beginners to grow in an outdoor garden or a flower pot garden. Continue reading to find out which plants are ideal for older adults who are just getting started with gardening.
Cucumber
Cucumbers are an easy-to-grow vegetable that doesn’t require much care. You’ll want to make sure the soil drains adequately whether you’re planting cucumbers in the ground or in a container. Cucumbers are a vine plant, so keep in mind that the vine will need a place to climb while you’re planting them.
Lettuce
Lettuce is an excellent starter vegetable to plant since it grows quickly, allowing you to see results soon. When growing lettuce, make sure it gets plenty of water and is kept in the shade during the summer.
Green Beans
Whether you choose pole beans or bush beans, both are low-maintenance plants that thrive with little more than water. The only difference between the two types of beans when it comes to planting is the quantity of space they both require. If you decide to grow pole beans, you will need to purchase a trellis to support them. If you want to cultivate a bush bean, you’ll need roughly two feet of space to do it (but no individual support is required.)
Tomatoes
The most widely grown vegetable (or fruit)! You can cultivate a broad range of tomatoes, including grape tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes. Watering tomatoes first thing in the morning, providing plenty of sunlight, and not crowding them while they develop are the keys to growing fresh tomatoes.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers require very little maintenance after they are planted and grown. Because the sunflower seeds are big, they are easy to handle. After you’ve planted the seeds, you’ll need to water them every day for the next 20 days. You should fertilize your sunflowers with a water-soluble fertilizer during their growing season.
Daffodil Bulbs
Daffodil bulbs can be planted in the spring or fall, will burst with vibrant hues, and bloom like no other plant. Daffodils have a wonderful scent, and you’ll find yourself drawn to them over and over again. Daffodils require a lot of water, so you’ll want to water them as soon as they’re planted. When they begin to blossom, you can stop watering them. Don’t just stick to daffodils. Gladiolas, calla lilies, tulips, crocus, hyacinths, and other flowers can be found.
Marigolds
Marigolds flourish in the summer sun and come in a variety of colors, including yellow, red, and gold. Marigolds can grow up to five feet tall, depending on whether you choose an American or African marigold. When watering, make sure the soil is completely dry in between applications.
