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Norton, MA

Hi everybody. My Grandmother has always had a garden, but the last couple years, my Grandfather got alot older fast and didn't manage it. Last spring he died. I had planned a garden for her that year, but his death turned things upsidedown. Anyway, I'm going to make her a good garden, about 600 sf. She likes tomatoes, squashes, all the basic vegetable garden stuff. I will be making it for her, but can't get there every week, so she needs to be able to tend it. She can water and weed and other stuff, and is 100% mentally capable, but heavy work, or a long time outside standing wouldn't be good. I'm just wondering what kind of varieties would be good for her (easily managable), and how can I make it simpler for her? A garden again would really make her have fun (not that she doesn't now, you have no idea!). Thanks for any advice, AleX Noel.

3/29/2006 8:54:26 PM

Eugene,OR

Raised beds are the way to go for older folks. You can sit on the edge and work, and you don't have to bend over as far while standing. If you could build her some raised beds, then it sounds like she could tend the garden.

3/29/2006 8:57:43 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Landscape Mulch and plant threw 3 in holes. Very little weeding to do.

3/29/2006 9:52:55 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I would use potted seedlings of modern hybrid varieties from a reputable source to insure a rapid pest free start. Raised beds would be a good idea. You might also inoculate with Trichoderma & Bacillus Subtilus to reduce the likelihood of root diseases is we have a wet summer. The idea being to try to keep diseases away in the first place rather than having to deal with them later. Mulch to keep down weeds sounds like a great idea too.

Place a sprinkler stand in the garden so she doesn't have to drag it out to water. Make it simple so all she has to do is turn a valve on a siamese adapter to turn the sprinkler on.

3/29/2006 10:34:05 PM

I've helped with gardens at a local senior center in the past, the raised beds and mulch(cuts weeding and watering) are a basic mustdo,pole beans (not bush) are good stretching exercise and fit well.

One of things that they love is something FUN as well. We did the large headed sunflowers and some mixed colored varieties easy stuff, but different.

3/30/2006 5:57:53 AM

By the way,,,"great idea Alex"

3/30/2006 5:58:46 AM

Topsfield, Ma.

Maybe a simple trellis on the edge of the garden with some ornamental guords seeds. Minimal care and great late season fun produce!
Duff

3/30/2006 7:13:47 PM

Norton, MA

Thanks, I'll try those things. She's really going to like this. I'll have to get an easy pumpkin in there somewhere! Mabye a Jack Be Little. I've grown lots of vegetables before, but not as many as I'd like, so a question: She is Greek and loves to cook Greek. She makes this great spinache thing (spanicapita), and if I could get some spinache growing for her, she'd get a kick out of putting it into our favorite food. How do you grow spinache? Is it manageable for her? If it's hard to start, or needs occasional intensive care, I can do that. AleX.

3/30/2006 7:26:01 PM

Long Island,New York

Spinach is easy to grow...like lettuce...start plants indoors now. Watch for butterflies and leaf minors.....don't grow jack be littles....grow something she can eat (although Ive eaten jack be littles). Good nutrition in squash.

3/30/2006 7:47:31 PM

Norton, MA

Thanks. I'll try spinach then. My mom's friend cooks JBL's. I was thinking sugar pumpkins for some pies. Thanks again for everybody's ideas. AleX.

3/31/2006 8:59:32 PM