From The Ground Up: Gardening is right for both young, old

Gardening is a lifetime hobby. Gardening has many attributes that fulfill the Blue Zone criteria such as physical exercise, family time, stress reduction, social activity and a more plant-based diet.

It's never too early to get children started. You may consider putting a couple seeds in little pots for your toddler to observe each day and watch for the seeds to sprout and grow. Start with some goof proof flower and vegetable seeds so your little ones aren't disappointed. Suggestions include zinnias, marigolds, radishes and green beans, as all of these have high success rates for germination.

Plastic garden tools are readily available for little ones. When looking for watering cans, select the small sizes for easier handling. Try to pick a watering can with a sprinkler head rather than an open spout to prevent plants from getting drenched as the child learns how to apply the right amount of water. There are many children's books on gardening so you may want to pick up one to read to them and get them acquainted with how seeds grow and learn about nature in general.

Once the planting/growing season has started, give the child a little spot in the garden for them to plant seeds or starter plants. They can learn to water and weed during the summer which will be a great lesson in responsibility. If you don't have a vegetable garden, another option is to give them a large container. Don't expect perfection. Let it be their little garden and be tolerant even if the rows are crooked or something goes wrong.

As we get older, there are other things to consideration as age limits our abilities and we just can't do all the tasks that we perhaps did in our prime. It may be time to scale back on a high maintenance yard but it doesn't mean you have to give it up. Know your limitations, and as with all ages, remember the basic safety rules such as using sun protection, working in the cooler hours of the day, and acquiring a knee cushion when weeding. Enlist some help when trying to accomplish larger tasks. As you cut back, you may also want to consider raised beds that can be built to various heights including planters that can be managed by sitting or standing.

It seems gardeners just love to share their experiences. You may want to consider joining a garden club, working in a community garden or attending a Master Garden event. You may even wish to consider becoming a Master Gardener. If you are interested, please contact the Linn County Extension office at 319-377-9839. It's a rewarding experience.

l For questions, call the Linn County Extension Master Gardener Hortline at (319) 447-0647.