Indoor Gardening: A Calming Activity for Seniors
Spring has finally sprung, and with all the lovely buds coming into bloom, it’s the perfect time for nature-loving seniors to test out their green thumbs. However, some older Tulsa-area adults might not have the space or inclination to plant an outdoor garden. They may have limited mobility or painful chronic health conditions that prevent them from gardening outside.
If this describes someone you know or care for, let them know that indoor gardening is a fun and fulfilling hobby that many older people are still able to enjoy. Below are some insights to educate you about the benefits of indoor gardening, plus tips, tricks, and local resources to help your plants thrive.
Benefits of Indoor Gardening for Tulsa Seniors
Whether you’re tending to an herb garden or caring for houseplants, watching plants grow and flourish under your care is deeply fulfilling. For people who have limited abilities outside the home, that feeling alone can make this pastime more than worth it. Moreover, you can consume the fruits of your labor in meals and enjoy the health benefits while you’re at it.
Most of all, gardening in small spaces is generally a calming activity that allows the gardener to tap into their senses and enjoy the present moment. Some other key benefits of indoor gardening for older folks include:
- Stress and anxiety reduction that, in turn, lifts your mood
- Promotes inner peace and calm by connecting you to nature
- Improves indoor air quality as plants help purify the air
- Boosts productivity and problem-solving as you learn to tend to plants’ unique needs
- Creates feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction
Additionally, growing fresh herbs allows people of all ages to add more flavor to their meals, making every dish nutritious and delicious.
Indoor Gardening Tips for Older Adults
Thinking of growing a lush indoor oasis of your own? Allow the three quick tips below to provide some guidance:
- Choose the Right Location: Most plants need bright, indirect light for optimal health (but grow lights will suffice if you’re limited in this area). Pick an area close to a window, but be careful with placements on the windowsill, as cold, outdoor drafts can harm plants.
- Select Low-Maintenance Plants: If you’re just starting your indoor gardening journey, opt for plants that aren’t too fussy and don’t require complex care. Some of the best low-maintenance plants and herbs for gardening novices include peace lilies, snake plants, bamboo, aloe, jade, rosemary, basil, lemongrass, oregano, chives, and parsley – but there are many more to choose from, and other herbs may be preferable!
- Get Help Stocking Up On Supplies: You’ll need a few supplies to help your plants thrive. Don’t be shy about asking a caregiver or family member for help. Some indoor gardening supplies that will come in handy are pots with drainage holes, grow lights, a PH meter to ensure balanced, healthy soil, a watering can, and pest control to keep pests at bay. Your caregiver can help you order them online or bring you to a plant nursery if you need help with transportation.
Local Indoor Gardening Resources in Tulsa, OK
Visit these local nurseries and garden centers to stock up on seeds, plants, pots, and everything in between. Be sure to call first for the correct hours and directions:
Southwood Landscape and Garden Center
9025 South Lewis Avenue,
Tulsa, OK 74137
(918) 299-9409
Rancho Flores Lawn and Garden Center
4516 East 31st Street,
Tulsa OK 74135
(918) 743-2434
8998 South Sheridan Road
Tulsa, OK 74133
(918) 493-7118
Visiting Angels of Tulsa, OK, Can Help Your Garden Grow
Visiting Angels of Tulsa, OK, proudly provides highly personalized in-home care solutions to seniors and other vulnerable groups throughout the greater Tulsa area, extending to Owasso, Broken Arrow, Jenks, and Bixby, OK. A compassionate caregiver can drive you to a local nursery, help set up your indoor garden, and research plant care, while ensuring a safer environment throughout your home.
Contact us today at (918) 609-5600 for more information about other ways that our services support seniors in their homes.