Alternative Health Blog

Next time you consider visiting your aging mother or dad, you might consider bringing along some seed catalogs or gardening magazines. It appears gardening has a measurable effect on elder health.

In a small study of 14 gardeners conducted by Kansas State University and published in the professional journal, HortTechnology, regular work among the flowers and vegetables resulted in increased energy, less depression and better sleep for the green-thumb participants. The gardeners ranged in age from 63 to 86 years old.

There is no denying that regular physical activity helps older adults remain independent and less vulnerable to falls. Those effects are documented in research. Same goes for holding off weight and feeling happier. What might cast doubt is whether gardening can provide such a physiological boost.

The Kansas State researchers write that there is no argument that gardening activity can provide moderate-intensity workouts, especially in the spring and early summer months when considerable digging and weeding is required.

The K-State authors found the elder gardeners worked with plants and soil an average of 33 hours during a typical week in May, and 15 hours each week during June and July. What’s more, throughout the spring and summer months the gardeners met or surpassed the federal government’s recommendation of engaging in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity all or most days of the week.

Along with charting garden time (at home or community-share sites), the researchers monitored heart and breathing rates for the elders.

The Kansas State researchers called for a larger, multiple-location study to confirm their findings. They speculated that “physical activity prescriptions” might be one outcome, as health practitioners urge patients to do some planting and cultivating.

But the Alternative Health Blog asks, why wait? You can seize the moment—and our aging parent’s health—by planning a garden with Mom or Dad this coming season. Then family visits can focus on work in the garden rather than sitting in front of the TV.

Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.