Older adult gardeners report enhanced optimism, more physical activity, higher energy levels than nongardeners

Want more zest for life? Consider gardening!

COLLEGE STATION, TX—Does gardening contribute to quality of life and increased wellness for older adults? Researchers from the Texas A&M and Texas State Universities asked these questions in a survey of people aged 50 and older. The survey revealed some compelling reasons for older adults to get themselves out in the garden.

Aime Sommerfeld, Jayne Zajicek, and Tina Waliczek designed a questionnaire to investigate older adult gardeners' and nongardeners' perceptions of personal life satisfaction and levels of physical activity. According to Sommerfeld, lead author of the study published in HortTechnology: "The primary focus of the study was to determine if gardening had a positive impact on perceptions of quality of life and levels of physical activity of older adults when compared with nongardeners".

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-03/asfh-wmz031711.php

The first 2 beds, planted with farmers' market starts

Leaf lettuce and one lonely romaine transplanted from last year's salad garden, Mottistone (red-and-green mottled) lettuce, Panisse (Boston-ish) lettuce, Akarenso spinach, Italian spinach, Winterbore (green) kale, Red Russian  kale, Savoyed Leaf "Tyee F1" spinach, sweet basil in the back edge, chives in the corners, parsley in the middle on each side

Early Jersey Wakefield (green) cabbage, Ruby Perfection (red) cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts,
Foxley (varigated) thyme, cilantro in the corners, Tristan strawberries in the outside edge, Loran strawberries in the inside edge. 

Next step

Easy newspaper seedling pots

compost pile

...now mostly in the beds

Next step

Blocks all stacked, cardboard layer on the bottom, home grown compost scattered around, pine mulch layer spread and watered.

Let the Wild Rumpus begin!!