‘How to keep the passion burning’: Selling Houses Australia garden guru Dennis Scott

Green fingered former NRL star player turned landscaper, Selling Houses Australia’s Dennis Scott reveals why there’s no reason you can’t keep the passion burning at any age. SEE HIS TOP TIPS

Selling Houses Australia gardening guru Dennis Scott is passionate about keeping the gardening flame alive. Picture: Foxtel/supplied

Let me start by saying that I stand by gardening being good for you, especially for our ageing population. It’s my personal opinion, but numerous scientific studies back me up.

Research proves that green space activity or simply being out in green spaces is not only good for the mind but has numerous health advantages encompassing mental boosts, physical and social positivity and improved cognitive dexterity. With benefits such as these, I am on the push for gardeners young and old to unite, to keep the passion burning no matter where you are living, be it in your own home, apartment or retirement village.

Facts for the gardener

1. Gardening is good for the heart. The tasks involved when maintaining a garden vary.

Yes, some jobs can be physically taxing, but there are tasks to suit every age. You may choose to take it slow by pulling weeds or increase the heart rate by mowing the lawn. Either way, older adults who garden can get enough physical activity to remain fit and healthy.

Gardening is a stress buster.

2. Gardening is a stress buster. Simply setting and completing a gardening task provides a huge mental boost. To see things growing and thriving will provide an improved mental outlook for older members of the population. In fact, one 2007 study published in the Neuroscience journal shows some healthy bacteria living in soil can actually increase serotonin levels, reducing anxiety.

3. Gardening also has the ability to improve strength and co-ordination. Using secateurs, garden trowels and weeding tools will help improve your hand and arm strength, which is imperative for holding a hard-earned cup of tea once our outdoor chores are done.

4. Gardening doesn’t have to be restricted to the outdoors. There are so many options for the garden enthusiast to remain involved without having to leave their own loungeroom.

5. Gardening provides a unique chance to stay connected and bond with friends and family. You can obviously soak up the peace and quiet by yourself but I personally can’t think of a better way for us to remain connected with our elders than spending time greening up the world together. Sharing time with loved ones is precious and grows family connections.

RELATED: Dennis Scott’s plan to tackle a midlife garden meltdown

Dennis Scott says there are multiple adaptations you can make to keep gardening into older age and multiple types of accommodation. Picture: Foxtel/supplied

Gardening options:

1. Raised garden beds are great for the older generation. As we grow older, the aches and pains increase and can cause you to decrease or eliminate your garden duties.

A raised garden bed helps prevent bending over, which can cause constant knee and back pain. Make them narrow so you are not constantly reaching across them.

I recommend making a raised garden bed no less than 600mm in height and consider adding a wider edge to the bed that can act as a seat and storage shelf.

2. Potting tables are another helpful option. These can be as simple as a plastic trestle table from your local hardware store. They provide a raised platform for a variety of works. You can move around the table and you have plenty of space for key ingredients such as potting mix, pots, plants and garden tools.

Going vertical with trellis is a good option to make use of space.

3. Go vertical with a trellis and select plants that grow upwards. There are so many vertical options available. You can buy a prefabricated one from your local hardware store or simply use bamboo stakes, fencing or a wire cage. All options will help you save space and enable you to have a plant at a more suitable height for you to attend to it.

4. Large pots are a great way to keep people gardening. Pots come in hundreds of different shapes, sizes, colours and materials. You can have multiple small pots, a cluster of various shapes or some larger sized multi-use pots. You can grow just about anything in a pot.

You can grow just about anything in a pot, Dennis Scott says.

Vegetables, exotics, flowers – the possibilities are endless. One tip, though: if choosing pots, place them on a tray with wheels, enabling you to move them if needed. Use a quality lightweight potting mix to help with weight while preventing plants from drying out so fast – and make sure you don’t over water.

5. If you have issues with mobility or getting outside, there is also something for you. Staying indoors doesn’t mean you have to give up on the gardening dream. Grow a mini herb garden on the kitchen window sill. Terrariums are back in fashion, window boxes are still easy to find and, of course, the beloved indoor potted plants are a must.

Sansevieria trifasciata may not be very flattering for mothers-in-law but they are very hardy plants and great for building confidence among all gardeners.

Five of the best indoor plants

1. Sansevieria or mother-in-law’s tongue. Suitable for a variety of light levels, extremely tough and hard to kill. Striking foliage that produces oxygen at night.

2. Zanzibar gem. A bright green, glossy foliage with a prehistoric look. Handles low light levels and doesn’t like a lot of water. The ideal plant for beginners of all ages.

3. Devil’s ivy or pothos.

These guys are great for cleaning the air. Place them in a jar of water or a hanging basket and let their large, heart-shaped leaves trail down.

4. Peace lilies. A good variety for indoors, they are easy to maintain and have a dark green, large leaf structure, long stems and white flowers. If you see the leaves curl up and look sad, this is a sure sign it needs water. It likes moist soil, but not damp.

5. Aspidistra or cast-iron plant.

As its name suggests, it can thrive on neglect. Tolerates very low levels of light and has a long, thin leaf structure and is great for those darker corners of the house.

Critical to enjoying gardening in later years is the type of tools you have at your disposal.

Gardening tools for later years

Along with the usual suspects such as spades, secateurs, loppers, saws, gloves and garden hoses, there are other items, tips and tricks to benefit the older gardener that you may not have thought about.

Consider long-handled shovels, rakes and spades to help prevent bending over as far.

Items such as stools and kneel boards are brilliant and make the gardening experience more enjoyable. Paint your handles in a bright colour so they can be seen more easily and wrap handles in grip tape to help the senior gardener hold them while in action.

Averee is just one company that has a brilliant range of gardening tools for the older person.

Wearing appropriate clothing like long sleeves and a hat will help tremendously.

Safety first never gets old

Last but not least, make sure you stay safe. Use manual equipment to help prevent any nasty accidents associated with power tools.

Make sure you wear appropriate clothing – a long-sleeve shirt, pants, hat, gloves and sunscreen.

Try and work in the cooler hours of the day and stay hydrated.

Work on flat ground and keep all tools neat and tidy to prevent trips and falls.

Clean and attend to any cuts and bruises immediately – and don’t lift anything heavy, especially above your head or on a ladder.

Gardening represents freedom. While ever you can garden, you will always be free.

*Selling Houses Australia returns from March 22 at 8.30pm on Foxtel.