In this video I share 5 changes gardeners over 50 can make for safer and lower-maintenance gardening into your 80’s and beyond. I share my evolving approach to easier gardening, focusing on DIY solutions for seniors who want less effort, less expense and less maintenance.
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Chapters:
00:00 – 00:33 Introduction
00:33 – 01:41 Number 1 Annuals
01:41 – 02:10 Giveaway
02:10 – 02:58 Number 2 Safer garden paths for seniors
02:58 – 03:48 Number 3 Reducing lawn maintenance over 50
03:48 – 04:23 Number 4 Garden seating
04:23 – 06:24 Number 5 Self-care for senior gardeners
Giveaway Official Rules
Prizes: 2 linen Garden Design Tips Aprons
How to enter: Watch this video. Comment answering the question, “Which of these changes will you implement in your own garden?”
Eligibility: Open internationally where local laws allow. Must be 18 or older to enter. Void where prohibited. Start date Jan.3, 2026. End date Jan.10, 2026.
Two winners will be selected at random from all eligible comments.
I will reply to the winning comments and mention the winners in the next video published on Jan.17, 2026. Winners must respond within 3 days of being chosen or new winners will be chosen. This giveaway is sponsored solely by Garden Design Tips and is in no way sponsored or endorsed by YouTube. By entering, you release YouTube from any responsibility related to this giveaway. Contact info collected from the winners will be used only to deliver the aprons.
This video is part of my Garden Design series for gardeners over 50. Please subscribe if you love step-by-step DIY garden design.
#garden #gardendesign #DIYgardendesign
28 Comments
Which of these 5 tips will you try first? Let me know below!
Im glad to have found your channel.
Getting rid of stepping stones is a must do, and zero lawn would be great..
Thank you for the Workman's Friend hand cream suggestion. My hands are beginning to look really beat up. You didn't suggest it, but you showed a perennial bush in a pot, I think that is the best idea!
yes I want to physically be able to plant annuals when i’m 80. I love their beauty. plus keeps you healthy and strong.
Many thanks for this enjoyable video and for all these wonderful tips! I have a good many flowering shrubs and I continue to plant a few more each year. I think this was one of your best tips along with adding additional seating areas. I have a good many of perennials planted up already but I am always open to planting more.😊. I try to limit the amount of annuals I plant but sadly I cannot give them up entirely.😊. I’m making small adjustments each year so that I can stay active in my gardens way up into my Senior years!🤣. Take care and enjoy every moment in your gardensI do! 👌🪴🥰
I have already changed my thinking in regard to plants. I never was a big fan of annuals. Love perennials and plants that come back. As my years approached 70 (now 72), I began purchasing sasanquas and camellias, hydrangeas, Japanese Maple trees, etc. Living in the country, I have lots of space. Thank you for sharing the tips and advice. I want to make walking trails through our gardens. This winter I am addicted to Helleborus (Lenten roses) and Itoh and tree peonies. Can’t wait to see the results!
what an amazing video. I am 73 & have a periennal garden. However, last year an invasive ground cover took over. I had to "burn" it out & of course, the plants also died. I have to start all over. I am having someone rototill it for me…can no longer do the pitchfork thing. But once the periennals are in, hopefully, I am good to go.
i love the idea of using less annuals and planting more shrubs and perennials. thanks for the tips.
Definitely widening the walkway areas and removing anything that will trip me, cause me to fall.
Regarding the walking stones, You can dig them in a little bit so they are level with the gravel. I like the look and that is what I did. Wow! that grass is good looking! I use those little latex gloves under my gardening gloves to keep the dirt from under my finger nails and it probably keeps my hands from getting dry and cracked. I might not garden as much as you do.
thank you for this. i think this was so productive. even if one is stronger, take note of this video. right now all things are possible, but the realistic and common sense suggestions are incredibly helpful!!!
I will definitely remove small step stones ! Never thought of that
Thank you for the tips
Safer walking paths is my biggest concern! Thank you!
I’m 72. Annuals are fun but you made perfect sense… permanent plants will reduce stress in my mind and in my knees.
You obviously don’t live in zone 3 –
perennials or shrubs won’t make it through the winter here
Stumbled upon your channel. I wondered if you have any garden tips for renters. I rent a very small house with a small backyard that I am allowed to garden in, within reason, and struggle with ideas. I am in your age group but am still pretty active. I found the idea of concentrating on perennials a great idea. Subscribed and will be watching 😊
I bought small fruit trees and planted them near my fences and trained them as espaliers. They need pruning twice a year, but they are at a height thst is easy to reach. Beautiful blossom plus fruit you can eat. I would keep the lawn and get a robotic lawnmower. If you can still manage it mowing the lawn is a good form of aerobic exercise that can help keep you healthy. Use barrier cream on your hands inside your gloves.
I never bought tons if annuals. At 73 I still have annuals that are self seeded. In my area zinnias and cosmos come back yearly for me. But I just don't allow as many as I used to. That fake grass is not good for the environment. I live in desert and still have a patch of grass on the south for cooling. But I may reduce the size. I have always worn gloves when gardeing. I use good lotions.
Oh, I'm totally in favor of planting perennials from the get go! My husband and I have 18 acres but only 4 and 1/2 are fenced in as our homestead, and I have loads of places I would love to sit and visit with Abba Father, so placing seating all over the property is one of your tips that I had already thought of, so thanks for the confirmation.
Perennials Not Annual bedding plants
Good ideas not really interested in giving up yet at 72 but it’s good ideas.
I am going to purchase the hand products and begin to get better at wearing gloves.
I totally agree with you!
Great ideas, how and when did I get to age 74, my knees keep reminding me to get smarter,
But. keep enjoying what we love to the end, enjoy your spring and summer!
I’m using the no annuals and only planting perennial flowering shrubs. To make this easier and more enjoyable when you’re older.
I am going to do all 5! I am 66 and I can see the wisdom in all of these! Thank you!
Haven't read all the comments so that's possibly has already been mentioned, but another reason to wear gloves is to keep from getting ringworm…. ask me how I know 😮