Accessible Gardening for Every Body
Why Gardening Matters
For many older adults, gardening is more than a hobby, it’s a way of life. It’s connection. It’s tradition. And in many cases, it’s a deeply rooted part of daily function.
Many older Iowans grew up on or near a farm, where gardening wasn’t just enjoyable… it was essential. Tending a garden meant putting food on the table and filling jars for winter. It carried over into family routines like cooking and canning, forming habits that shaped identity and purpose. Today, gardening continues to offer meaning, beauty, and wellness. Even if our bodies change how we approach it.
In occupational therapy, we often classify gardening as an instrumental activity of daily living (IADL). An IADL is a task that typically requires both physical effort and significant cognitive planning. Other IADLs include driving, grocery shopping, and medication management.
As we age, we may not immediately notice changes in basic self-care like dressing or bathing, but we often see subtle shifts in IADLs. Gardening might go from ten tomato plants to three. We pace ourselves more. Or we stop altogether, not because we’ve lost interest, but because it feels like too much.
The good news? With a little planning and a few simple adjustments, gardening can remain a joyful, manageable part of life at home.
Start with Smart Planning
Selecting native, perennial plants is one of the easiest ways to reduce maintenance while supporting the local ecosystem. Native plants are designed to thrive in your environment — they typically need less watering, resist disease, and require far less fuss overall. They’re beautiful and, quite literally, make your life easier. In places like the City of Des Moines, there are even matching funds available to encourage native planting, water-wise landscaping, and rain garden installation.
The shape and grade of your landscaping also matter. A steep slope might be hard to mow or navigate, while a gently graded area can be both safer and easier to maintain. Paying attention to water flow and runoff helps determine where to place plants, paths, or raised beds. These elements aren’t just cosmetic and they can significantly reduce physical strain throughout the growing season.
Mulching is a simple but powerful strategy. A thick layer deters weeds, retains moisture, and shapes your garden naturally over time. While mulching itself can be a big task, there are ways to make it easier. Services like ChipDrop can deliver free wood chips from local arborists right to your driveway. And if spreading it is too much on your own, platforms like HUDU can connect you with someone willing to help for a reasonable rate.
Planning also means thinking beyond plants. Choosing what and how much to grow should reflect your energy, space, and interests. If you once grew ten tomato plants and now grow three, that’s not a loss. That’s adaptation. That’s wisdom.
Make Gardening Easier on the Body
Raised garden beds are one of the most effective ways to reduce bending and make gardening accessible from a seated or standing position. They can be filled economically by layering cardboard, compost, branches, mulch, and soil — a method inspired by hügelkultur gardening that improves water retention and reduces cost. Raised beds work especially well for annuals like vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers.
The right tools can also make a world of difference. Ergonomic handles, long-reach designs, and cushioned grips are all widely available. If you ask me, my favorite is the Grampa’s Weeder. It uses a simple lever system to remove weeds while standing, saving your knees and your back. For longer sessions in the garden, a rolling tractor seat may help, though it’s important to be cautious on sloped terrain.
Watering can become more physically taxing with time. An irrigation system can take a major load off your routine. Options may be professionally installed or DIY’d from kits available online. Drip systems or soaker hoses with timers ensure your plants get what they need without daily lifting, bending, or dragging a hose. Lightweight hose reels or watering wands with shut-off valves add convenience and reduce the risk of overexertion or tripping.
Design for Comfort and Accessibility
For individuals using wheelchairs or walkers, wide, firm, and level pathways are essential. Surfaces like compacted gravel, smooth concrete, or brick provide safe passage without being overly slick or difficult to push across. Raised beds built at standing or seated height, typically 24 to 30 inches, allow for full participation without overreaching or crouching.
It’s also important to think about how you rest in the garden. Stable, non-rocking furniture with sturdy armrests makes it easier to get up and down. Avoid swivel or sling-style chairs that shift under weight. A solid bench with a backrest or a wide chair with arms creates space for reflection and relaxation without the risk of a fall.
To increase enjoyment and sensory engagement, consider planting with pollinators in mind. Butterflies, hummingbirds, and songbirds help your garden thrive AND they bring life, sound, and movement to the space. Native flowers like coneflowers, milkweed, black-eyed Susans, and bee balm benefit both the ecosystem and the soul.
Sensory elements don’t stop with nature. Wind chimes, fountains, garden sculptures, or even painted stones can create visual and auditory stimulation. Tactile materials like smooth stepping stones, textured planters, or fragrant herbs like lavender and rosemary invite hands-on engagement. These features make the garden beautiful and immersive.
Mental Health Grows Here
Gardening doesn’t just support physical health, but it nurtures mental well-being in profound ways. Being outside in the garden connects us to the rhythms of nature, offers a sense of purpose, and can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. For many older adults, the garden is a place of emotional regulation and routine. The simple act of tending to a plant, watching it grow, and witnessing the cycle of the seasons is grounding. It provides structure and meaning, especially during times of transition or loss.
And when gardening becomes harder to do physically, the connection doesn’t have to fade. Many older adults stay involved by shifting how they participate. Tracking rainfall with a gauge, observing pollinators, planning seasonal layouts, or simply offering advice to others. These are all ways to remain rooted in the joy of gardening without overexertion. Gardening is more than a physical act. It’s identity, legacy, and love.
Explore and Get Inspired
If you’re looking for real-life inspiration, the Enabling Garden in Altoona, Iowa, is a must-see. Designed to showcase adaptive gardening techniques, it’s a living example of how accessibility and beauty go hand in hand. It’s also a welcoming space to ask questions, get ideas, and reimagine your own backyard.
Don’t forget to take advantage of expert support. The Iowa State University Extension Office offers excellent free resources from classes on composting to plant selection guides and seasonal tips. Whether you’re a beginner or lifelong gardener, their insight can help you adapt your routines and grow confidently.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Growing
Gardening evolves and so do we. Whether you’re planting your first pepper or nurturing a backyard oasis, it’s always possible to adapt. What’s one small change you could make to enjoy gardening more fully this season?
Share your story with us, or tag us in your favorite garden photo. And if you’re looking for personalized strategies to make gardening easier, our occupational therapy team is always happy to help.