Toni Gattone

The principles of Adaptive Gardening offer gardeners of all ages and abilities numerous strategies so they can continue to garden, even when their bodies say “no!” That’s when their new normal can force people to feel they must give up their favorite hobby/pastime. Well, don’t throw in the trowel just yet! This one-hour PowerPoint presentation outlines dozens of tips, tools, and techniques to help gardeners modify and adapt as they experience physical limitations. You will learn how to: • Utilize strategies to protect your body and promote ease and greater comfort when you work. • Recognize common landscape pitfalls and how you can adapt your gardens for safety and sustainability. • Incorporate raised beds, containers, and vertical gardens to take the pain out maintaining and harvesting your garden. • Determine which tools to toss, which tools to adapt, and which tools to upgrade for the best ergonomics.

Whether you have downsized or you want to bring your gardens up for greater comfort, there are many joys associated with growing edibles in containers. When you plant edibles in an interesting collection of containers, you give your garden beds, patios and balconies that extra visual punch. Since containers are moveable, you can capture more sun as the seasons change. Speaking of moving, your body will be happy because you can maintain and harvest your edible feast without bending over. Take home ‘how-to’ ideas: • Learn the easiest edibles to grow in containers • Use the most effective growing medium • Realize best practices for successful container gardening • Think outside the pot when selecting containers: recycle, re-purpose, re-use

Find new and fun ways to grow your community through get-out-of-the-house activities with local groups or volunteer your time by helping a neighbor or community group in their garden. You can become a Master Gardener or join a garden club to keep learning and volunteering at the same time. Add fun to the mix by having a working garden party with friends.