Gardening offers significant benefits for senior health, particularly in supporting mental health. Recent findings suggest a robust connection between regular gardening and improved brain power, helping to address memory concerns. Engaging in gardening activities can also contribute to effective stress management, which is crucial for reducing cognitive decline.
Your garden might be doing more for you as a senior gardener than you realize. New research published in April 2026 found that regular gardening is strongly linked to fewer memory problems and less cognitive decline. When you look at the reasons why, it makes complete sense.
In this video, I share the three ways the Boston Globe article reported that gardening supports brain health after 60: the kind of movement that matters, the stress connection, and the mental engagement most people never think about. Plus – the surprising thing Norway is now doing for people with early dementia.
If you are gardening over 60 because you love it, this video will give you one more reason to keep going.
Chapters:
00:00 – 00:42 The report that blew me away
00:42 – 01:37 The benefits of gardening mentioned in the report
01:37 – 01:55 #1 Moving our bodies
01:55 – 02:21 #2 Reduces stress by refocusing our brains
02:21 – 03:06 The incredible dementia care plan Norway implemented
03:06 – 03:54 #3 Mental engagement
03:54 – 04:31 The strong relationship between gardening and mental clarity over 60
04:31 – 05:02 Who can we help by sharing this video?
Link for my favorite garden shears https://amzn.to/4ctWCaZ
As an Amazon Associate, I receive a small commission at no cost to you.
Norway article: https://rootinnature.ca/research/care-farming-for-people-with-dementia-what-can-healthcare-leaders-learn-from-this-innovative-care-concept
This video is a DIY garden design video as part of my Garden Design series for gardeners over 60. Please subscribe if you love step-by-step DIY garden design and strategies to keep senior gardeners gardening for the rest of our lives.
#gardeningafter60 #gardendesign #gardeningMentalHealth #seniorgardening
49 Comments
Several of you have asked about the pruners I mentioned – the ones I called a "sensory moment". That is how I really feel about them! A tool that fits your hand properly is one of the small pleasures that get you outside more often. These are the ones I use if you're curious: https://amzn.to/4ctWCaZ
And for anyone who wants to read the Norway research, I've added the link in the description too. Happy Gardening!
Thanks for this video!!
Another plus is the Vitamin D intake !
Lovely video. I am going to share a link to this video in my next gardening video.
I do like to garden but this has given me extra motivation thank you! Im going out there now!
This is brilliant!! I live way out in the Irish countryside. Today is a beautiful sunny day, and guess what?…I'm working in the garden and my greenhouse. Great to be retired and enjoying all this. Everything this lady says rings very true.
My 86 year old elderly mom has been suffering physically and mentally lately with dementia. Just bringing her a basil, tomato and parsley plant for her patio made her feel better. She transplanted them and also is sprouting basil seeds I gave her.
I love gardening it keeps me sane and grounded.I do need my brain to remember more I feel like sometimes I have brain rot and I blame it on these damn phones so time in the garden is time off the idiot box.
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I love watching your show its so interesting you give a lot of good advice for we seniors. I love working in the yard and flowers.
Do you have any more of the cup stickers "I love big pots and don't lie"?
Absolutely!
I didn’t really have time for gardening until I retired but for a few years now I have been developing my garden into a welcoming space for wildlife. Environmental destruction is depressing but at least I can do something positive in my small bit of the planet.
Stress levels UP when I see a snake or I get bitten or stung by something
Here in America, it's called horticulture therapy, been around for over twenty years, usually promoted by Master Gardeners programs. Fabulous idea!!
Thanks ❤ The Norway-Thing blew my mind 😅🎉
Not to mention the satisfaction of seeing something completed and more beautiful. It’s a form of ASMR
I LOVE to garden
Well, God placed the original humans in a garden! He knew that was where they would thrive. Obvious, really. ❤
Ty❤
🩷🧠
The human race started out in a garden.
Yes! I do gardening because I love it.❤ Thanks
Although most of this I could have guessed and attest to, it was very helpful to hear you list them.!
What ta expect from future: recession, inflation, war…. I expect flowers, starting my dahlias, planning the flower beds.
gardening is my addiction along with my music prayer books 😊
💯! Makes so much sense 🌿 🌱
Well since I recently came to the conclusion that my house plants are substitutes for my dogs. Now the outdoors gardens… everything she said applies.
65 here and still love my garden.
My parents were farmers so planting in my blood. When i retired, i moved to the tropics so i can garden all year long. Life is better in the warm sun shine.❤
So glad your video popped up. New subscriber😊You're lovely and you have such kind eyes.
I'm a bit sore from over-gardening yesterday but this video inspired me to get back out there today! Thank you!
Thankyou so much for this
My garden is now my happy place
Love from Scotland
Totally agree. I go in to my garden with cup of coffee in the beautiful Sunlight makes feel relaxed and happy, of course I work my …….off in my garden but every drop of sweat is worth it
I hope to be a part of those days🌿
Genesis 2:15 Jehovah God took the man and settled him in the garden of Eʹden to cultivate it and to take care of it. Are we surprised?? Our Creator gave us this responsibility to care for the planet, knowing it was for our benefit, physically and mentally and emotionally.
Great video. Just subscribed!
Try remembering all the things involved with plants. When to water, prune, etc. Which are annual, shade, etc. What can't grow next to what, which fertilizer for each at what date, amount? It's a memory workout.
Honestly, I turned to gardening (mainly vegetables) more from necessity than for love of it (large family/small income), but there are times–when the weather is lovely, and it's not July/August, and I'm not sweating and getting eaten by insects, and my veggies aren't getting eaten by insects and are not yet decimated by fungal diseases and blights… in those moments I really like it. I'd still rather be making art, but its the next best thing.
Also, I hate that American doctors just make the generic offer of "medication, exercise, and some form of mental engagement." Europeans always seem to look for the most holistic approach.
We're very busy this time of year, planting flowers, vegetables, all kinds of things. I do the heavier stuff and she plants most of the "babies". Great way to get excercise, enjoy the nice weather, create something beautiful – and avoid listening to the news.
gardening is my escape from the all the uncertainty in the world today
I really agree…gardening de stresses me, calms me and a light wotlrkout
We were made to be in the garden . So simple .
Humans not that removed from cultivating the garden in order to survive. It’s how we got this far. People need to get back to it on some level. It’s been proven that handling soil in bare hands stimulates the brain, also.
You might want to consider adding holistic information about getting those bare feet on bare earth "earthing" and the reconnect to earth's healthy electricity, and that nature will send to you animal and weather related experiences that take your spirit to a more engaged and happy place!😉 I love your garden!🌟💫✨🌿🌿🌿
I go to my garden daily to get away from all the noise. Work, family, obligations, I love the peace .
Like what you have to say!
Ich habe 1912 mit dem Gärtnern begonnen und schätze es von Jahr zu Jahr mehr. Meinen Eltern geht es genau so.
I always thank God whenever I see how my plants are growing – that always fills me with a grateful attitude – to feel contented and hopeful about God’s providence – very healing and uplifting!
I have chronic fatigue and brain fog. If this is the case, it would be terrible. I lose myself in my garden. I love witnessing the wildlife too. It does come in my head as I’m trying to go to sleep at nighttime! ❤
I feel at peace, yet highly energized when I’m gardening and after I’ve come back into the house. I have lovely gardens so I believe that to be a big factor. If I could show you a photo….☺️ Thank you for sharing this information, it is much appreciated!