Seniors… Pick Up a Hoe, a Good Rake and Go For It!

I’m trying to find a connection between gardening and traveling…I love gardening as much as traveling and have been wanting to write this blog for some time. It has been proven that seniors who enjoy gardening, enjoy life and find it is one of the most relaxing things one can do.

I’m a Master Gardener (Iowa State University Certificate) and I meet other Master Gardeners all over the place.  We have lots to talk about, notes and ideas to share.  I’m thinking there might me a few master gardeners out there amongst the senior citizen travelers.

Seniors Discover Joy in Gardening

Gardening is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding hobbies any senior could have. Planning your garden is an on-going task for even the smallest of gardens. It’s great fun to think about the possibilities and figure out how to make them a reality.

My problem is that I never met a seed I didn’t like. I have to plant the entire packet and then stick the seedlings in the ground… somewhere. Fortunately, my garden was large. Pinterest is a great site to share ideas and you can add yours to their listing very easily. Incidentally, don’t call it “dirt” call it “soil.”  Dirt is what you get under your fingernails, okay?

Seniors Grab Good Books and Garden Catalogs

I have a long list of favorite catalogs. I go through every one circling what I’d like to eat and then make out orders, big ones. Many like Burpee have deals that if you order over $50 worth, they will take $10 off your order. Garden Way’s Joy of Gardening is super. You can send for a good used copy from Amazon for under $5.

My mother’s garden was half flowers. The White Flower Farm is a great resource with a wide selection. I prefer seeds and plants that are deemed All-American Selections.

Here’s a directory of Organic Seed Suppliers. There’s an organization in Decorah, Iowa called Seed Savers that feature heirloom seeds. My father ordered only from Gurney’s and you’ll see why when you thumb through their online catalog. Harris, in my opinion, carries not a wide variety but only the very best. Their green bean, Crockett, is unmatched and the only one my wife wants to eat. Stokes rates high with me. The Cook’s Garden is a “specialized seed company”. Johnny’s always rates high on my list.

Most of this information can be found on a single site.  So file up the hoe, start up the root-tiller…Oh yes, I swear by Jerry Baker, America’s Master Gardener, and everything he  says and does. Oh my, I almost forgot to plug Garden’s Alive that carries only environmentally responsible products. In all my years of gardening, the product called PYOLA is one that I recommend to everybody.

For me personally, gardening is the perfect antidote to the modern world. So seniors, Happy Gardening from your traveling/gardening friend, Jim.  jeb