Being retired has its advantages when you garden. You can work a couple of hours, then enjoy taking a break as you don’t have to finish everything at once. There’s no time clock to punch.

I can’t believe I worked a 40-hour week and still maintained my gardens. Of course, I was younger then. Not only does my working timeline slow down, but I’m also slowing down.

Your love of gardening should not have to end as mobility issues come with aging. Seniors who enjoy gardening should know there are ways to adjust equipment and garden set-up to allow you to keep gardening.

Research shows that gardening is a healthy activity that can maintain levels of mobility, flexibility and reduce the risk of heart attacks or stroke.

Garden spaces, tools and equipment can be modified or adapted to help reduce the physical stress associated with senior gardeners. Although our “armchair” gardening will be enjoyable this winter, there are opportunities to keep learning (like taking our Master Gardener Volunteer class).

Then, there’s next spring. Think about how you can keep gardening, keep moving, but have a plan so you can, in fact, keep moving.

A few suggestions to adapt your gardening style follow:

• Start slower in spring. Take breaks. Don’t do it all at once.

• Alter your garden. Make sure paths and walkways are flat and nonslip to avoid falls.

• Provide shade areas for working in the summer heat with stable chairs and table to make comfortable gardening rest stop areas with water to avoid becoming dehydrated.

• Always use sunscreen and gloves to protect fragile skin. A wide-brimmed hat is also a plus. It will keep you outside longer on hot days.

• Work early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid heat and sun exposure.

• Keeping your cellphone with you is another safety plus.

• Alter your tools. Use foam, tape and plastic tubing to modify existing tools for a better grip. Look for lightweight tools that are easier to handle. Invest in ergonomically designed tools that allow for less stress on joints.

• Raise beds to avoid bending over, which can lead to loss of balance.

• Using wagons and worn-out wheelbarrows to make movable and elevated garden beds also gives your landscape a unique look.

• I’ve started using livestock troughs for planting. I like the look it gives my gardens as well as the ease of planting and harvesting. Large pots and planters not only make things easy but can be arranged to make divided living spaces in your landscape.

• Retractable hanging baskets make for easy watering and maintenance of your annual plantings.

• Trellising is a great way to have better access to plants such as gourds and climbing vines.

• Make sure the water source is nearby to eliminate dragging hoses or better yet invest in a drip irrigation system for easy watering.

• Use dwarf and low-maintenance trees and shrubs to allow ease of landscape work.

Back in the day, I planted quite a few garden beds. Now I wonder, “What was I thinking?” I’ve started eliminating a few beds and have planted more shrubs for less maintenance.

The hardest thing I’m working on is learning to get help with the heavy garden jobs.

By making some adjustments I’ll be able to keep enjoying my love of gardening.

For lots of tips and tricks to change it up in your garden, go to http://go.osu.edu/changegardening.

Baytos is an Ohio State University Mahoning County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.