Garden memoriesGardening information and advice

for people experiencing memory loss; their carers, friends and family

Contents

Introduction page4

1Gardeningandmemoryloss page5

2Basicdesignpoints page7

3Safetyinthegarden page9

4Gettingstartedinthegarden page11

5Gradinggardeningactivities page13

6Somestep-by-stepgardeningjobs page15

7Gardencalendar page27

Yournotes page35

Acknowledgements page37

Garden memoriesGardening information and advice for people experiencing memory loss; their carers, friends and family

Introduction

GardeningisoneofthemostpopularactivitiesintheUK–anestimated6.5millionpeopleintheUKenjoyit,andaround80percentofthepopulationhaveaccesstoagarden.AtThrivewebelievethatgardeningfostersastrongsenseofhealthandwellbeinginpeoplewitharangeofdisabilitiesandhavefounditcanbeparticularlyhelpfultothoseexperiencingmemorylossandotherformsofdementia.Ifyouareclosetosomeonewhoisexperiencingmemory,lossorareexperiencingityourself,youmayliketogivesomegardeningtasks

*ResearchcommissionedbyThrivefromMintelCustomSolutions,2006.

Ifyouorsomeoneyoucareforisaffectedbydementia,wehopethisguidewillencourageyoutoexperiencethecontinuedbenefitsthatgardeningcanbring.

atry.Wehaveseenhowtheycanhelprebuildconfidenceandalleviateanxietiesandhowsharedtaskswithcarers,friends,andfamilycanbenefitrelationships.

Thriveisanationalcharitywhichhelpspeopleimprovetheirhealthandwell-beingthroughgardening.Formorethan30years,wehaveseenfirst-handhowgardeningcantransformlives.

Ourresearchshowsthatnearlyoneinthree(31percent)ofpeoplewithadisabilitybelievesthatgardeninghasongoinghealthbenefits*.

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Overtime,thoseexperiencingdementiamaynotbeabletomaintaintheirabilitytomanageeverydaytasks,astheirmoodandunderstandingareaffected.Thesechangesmeanhelpmaybeneededtofindnewwaystodothesejobs,suchasbreakingeachtaskdownintostages.

Manyfamiliargardeningjobscanquiteeasilybebrokendownintosmallersteps.Throughthisapproachpeoplecanbeencouragedtocontinuetoachieve.Ifchosenwell,thetasksmayhelpimprovecoordinationandmobility,

Gardeningcanaidconcentrationandconfidence;itisalsoagoodformofexercisewhichinturnhelps

1 Gardeningandmemoryloss

toboostmoodandcanhelpwithsleep.Choosingandtalkingaboutplantscansparkmemoriesandconversation.

Awell-designedgardencanbeasafe,andenjoyableplacethatcanhelpgiveasenseoftimeandcontinuitythroughbeingintouchwiththeseasons.

1 Gardening and memory loss

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1 Gardening and memory loss

Other gardening benefits

Peoplewithdementiaarelesslikelytobecomeagitatedanddistressediftheyhaveregularaccesstofreshairandexerciseandaquietspaceawayfromotherswhentheyneedit.

Agardengivesfreshair,exerciseandexposuretosunlightwhichisvitalforwell-being.

Inagardenit’spossibleforeveryonenomatterwhattheirabilityworkattheirownpace,doingasmuchoraslittleastheylike,whilegainingasenseofachievement.

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2 Basicdesignpoints

Therearesomedesignpointsthatshouldbetakenintoaccountwhendesigningormodifyingagardenforusebythosewithmemoryloss:

Thegardenshouldbeeasytofindfrominside.Forexample,theviewofthegardenorthepathwaytoitshouldnotbeblockedbyfurniture.

Welldesigned,clearandsafepatios,pathsandstepsareimportantpartsofagarden.Theygiveroutestomovefromoneareatoanother,aswellasmakingspacetoenjoy.

Circularorfigure-of-eightroutesroundthegardenareeasiertonegotiateasthereisnoneedtomakedecisions.

Seatingclosetoandawayfromthehousegivessaferestingpointsandsomewheretoaimfor.Seatingcanbeaplaceforconversation,quietreflectionandenjoymentofthechangingseasons.

Bedsorcontainersthatareatcomfortableheightswillmakegardeningmoreenjoyable.

2 Basic design points

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3 Safetyinthegarden

Safetyinthegardenisofprimeimportance,andthemeasuresneededtokeepthoseexperiencingmemorylosssecuredependsonindividuallevelofawareness.

3 Safety in the garden

General safety points to consider

Safeaccesstothegarden.

Paths,patiosandstepsneedtobefirm,levelandnon-glare.

Anenclosedgardenreducesthelikelihoodofwanderingoff.

Anywaterfeatureneedscarefulconsideration.

Poisonousplantsshouldbeavoided.

Thegardenshouldbecheckedforotherhazards,suchasun-cappedcanes.

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Safety checks for paths, patios and steps

Paths,patiosandstepsprovidetheaccessroutesaroundthegarden,soitisimportantthattheyaresafetouse.

Looseandunevenpathsandpavingcancausetripsandfalls.Replacethemwithafirmandlevelsurface.

Softpathssuchasgrass,barkandsomegravelsurfacescanbehardtowalkon.Replaceareaslikethiswithafirmersurface.

Plantsspreadingareanotherhazard.Cutplantsrightbackawayfrompathandpatioedges.

Makesuretherearenoobstructionsonoroverhangingthepath,suchasbranches.

Moss,algae,ordebriscanmakepavingslippery.Keepitcleanwithaproprietarycleanerandclearanydebris.

Areasofpavingthatbecomeslipperyinwetweathershouldbere-laidwithamaterialwithbettergrip.

Paleconcreteandpavingareascancauseglareinbrightsunlightwhichcanbeuncomfortableanddisorienting.Replacewithdarkersurfaces.

3 Safety in the garden

Peoplewithreducedmobilitycanfindnarrowpathsandstepsdifficult.Aminimumwidthofonemetreisbest.

Avoidstepsofdifferentheights,astheycancauseaccidents.Replacewithstepsofthesameheight.

Avoidstepsaltogetherifpossible.Iftheyareneeded,installasturdyhandrail.

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Usesafe,well-maintained,familiartools.Familiaritycantriggernormalresponseandactivityinthoseexperiencingmemoryloss.Keepingtoolswellmaintainedwillalsohelpastheywillbeeasiertouse.

Sometoolscanbereplacedwithitemsthataremorefamiliarandeasiertouse.Scissorscanbeusedinsteadofsecateursforlighttrimmingjobs.Theyareeasiertohandleandtheactionofthescissorsismorelikelytoberemembered.

Gardeningcanbesmall-scale,likeplantingawindowboxorsometubs,ortendinghouseplantsorindoorbulbs.

4 Gettingstartedinthegarden

4 Getting started in the garden

Thoseexperiencingmemorylossusuallygardenbestwhenlefttoworkattheirownpaceandwithpeoplewhoguidebutdonottakeover.

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Taking care – helpful hints

Forthosewhohavelittlestrength,lightweightandlong-handledtoolscanbeeasierandlesstiringtousethanfull-sizedones.

Year-round activities

Someactivitiescancarriedoutallthroughtheyear,androutineactivitiescanhelptogiveasenseofcontinuity.Suggestionsinclude:

clearingandtidyingthegarden,patioandpaths

preparationandplanningforgrowingandsowinglookingatmagazines,seedcatalogues,etc.

4 Getting started in the garden

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It’salsopossibletogardensittingdowniftubsareattherightheight.

Wearingcomfortableclothesthatsuittheseasonmakegardeningmorepleasantandasimplewarm-upexercise,suchasashortwalkaroundthegarden,beforestartingishelpful.

Strainbyliftingheavythings,orbendinguncomfortablyforlongperiodsshouldbeavoidedandbreaksareimportanttoavoidtiredness.

Nooneshouldfeeloverwhelmedbythework.Breakingthejobsintosmallersectionscanhelpmaketasksmanageable.

5 Gradinggardeningactivities

5 Grading gardening activities

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Hereisasequenceofactionstohelpthis.

Wherewilltheactivitybedone?

Howwillitbecarriedout?

Whatequipmentisneeded?

Whatplantmaterialisneeded?

Whatwillbeneededtoclearup?

5 Grading gardening activities

3. What equipment is needed? Seedtraysorpots?Seedlingsdon’t

needtobeprickedoutifdividedtrays,whereeachseedlinghasitsowncellofcompost,areused.Useapropagatororatraywithalid;dibber,levellingboard,generalpurposecompost,apottingtrayorcomposttidytray,sieve,wateringcanwithafinerose,labels,pencil,rubber.

4. What plant material is needed? Packetsofseed

5. Clearing up Cleanandstoretoolsand

equipment.Positionsownitemswheretheywillgerminate.

Tohelp,hereisanexampleforsowingseeds:

1. Where will the activity be done? Greenhouse,shed,kitchentable,

gardentable?Sowntrayscanbeplacedonawindowsill,orinaconservatoryorgreenhouse.

2. How will it be carried out? Dependingonability,thegardener

mightbeabletodothewholeactivityorjustoneormorepartsofthejob.Choosingamanageabletaskappropriatetoconcentrationlevelsisimportanttosuccess.Asingletaskcouldbefillingthetrayorpotswithcompost.Collectingitemsandclearingcouldalsobedonebyoneperson.

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Thefollowingexamplesareapproachestovariouscommongardeningjobs.

Overfillaseedtraywithseedcompost.

Levelthecompostusingasawingaction.Placealevellingboardovertheseedtrayandpressfirmly.

Seedtrayandcompost,seeds,wateringcan,labelandpen

You will need...

1 2 Inastandardtray,spacetheseedoutevenly,startingfromonelongandoneshortsideofthetray.

3

6 Some step-by-step gardening jobs

Sowingseeds

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6 Somestep-by-stepgardeningjobs

Puttwohandfulsofseedcompostintothesieveandsprinkleathinlayerofcompostovertheseeds.

Labeltheseedtray.Waterthetraywithawateringcanwithafinerose.

4 5

6 Some step-by-step gardening jobs

Sowingseeds(continued)

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You will need...

Prickingout

Levelthecompostwithapieceofwood.

Smallpot,seedlings,compost,dibber,widget,pieceofwoodforlevelling,wateringcan,labelandpen

Overfillapotwithseedcompost.Tapthepotonthebenchthreetimestosettlethecompost.

1 2 3 Placeawidgetundertherootsofahealthyseedlingandlifttheitoutbyoneleaf–notthestem.

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Makeaholeinthecentreofthepotwiththedibber,penoryourfinger.

Puttheseedlingintheholewithleavesjustabovethecompost.Tapthepotonthebenchtosettle.

4 5 Labelandwater.6

Prickingout(continued)

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You will need...

Pottingon

Smallpot,largerpot,compost,wateringcan,labelandpen

Selectapotthenextsizeup.Putasmallamountofcompostintothebottomofthispot.

Taketheplantoutofthepotandplacetooneside.

Putthesmallpotintothelargerpot.Makesurethatthetopsarelevel.

1 2 3

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4 5 6 7

Pottingon(continued)

Holdthesmallpotstillinthecentre.Fillthegapbetweenpotswithcompostandfirm.

Takethesmallpotoutbytwistingandliftingit.

Droptheplantintothehole.Taptolevelthecompost.

Labelandwater.

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You will need...

Takingsemi-ripecuttings

Chooseashootwithoutflowersorflowerbuds.Trimthebottomfewleavesoff.

Makeastraightcutabout7-10cmfromthetopoftheshoot,justbelowanode(wherealeafjoinsthestem).

Filla12.5cmpotwithamixofhalfsand,halfmulti-purposecompost.

Spacethecuttingsaroundtheedgeofthepot.Labelandwater.

SomeplantsorshrubsthatcanbepropagatedinthiswayareHebe,Deutzia,Cornus,PhiladelphusandWeigela.

1 2 3 4

Secateurs,12.5cmpot,sandandcompostmix,wateringcan,labelandpen,smallcanesorsticksandaplasticbag

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5 6 7 8

Takingsemi-ripecuttings(continued)

Putfourcanesorsticksaroundtheedgeofthepot,placeaplasticbagoverandfixittothepotwithstringorelastic.

Openthebagfromtimetotimetoletinair.

Tocheckifthecuttingshaverooted,gentlytugoneoftheleaves.

Putthepotinabrightplaceoutofdirectsunlight.

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Plantingbulbs

1 2 3Makeaholeintoclearedgroundusingabulbplanter.Loosenthesoilaroundthesides.

Putasmallamountofbonemealintothebottom.

Putyourbulb,withitstipfacingup,intothehole.

Chooselarge,firmbulbs.Bulbspreferrichwelldrainedsoilandasunnyspot.

You will need...

Bulbplanter,bulbs,bonemeal,wateringcan

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4 5 6

Plantingbulbs(continued)

Releasethesoilfromthebulbplanterbackoverthebulb.

Firmin. Waterwell.

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Takinghardwoodcuttings

1 2 3

You will need...

Forsythia,willowanddogwoodaresomehardwoodplantssuitableforcuttings.

Chooseastemthatisasthickasapencilandatleast30cmlong.Cutitoffaboveanode.

Takealltheleavesoff.

Secateurs,largepot,sandandcompostmix,wateringcan,labelandpen,smallcanesorsticksandaplasticbag

Measure15-20cmupthecuttingandmakeaslopingcutaboveanode.

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4 5 6

Takinghardwoodcuttings(continued)

Pushfivecuttingsintothecompostsothatthetopnodesareshowing.

Thecuttingscouldalsobeputstraightintointoopengroundratherthaninpots.Cuttingstakeuptoayeartoroot.

Fillalargepotwithhalfsand,halfmulti-purposecompost.

Labelandwaterandplaceoutdoors.

7

7 Gardencalendar

Hereareaselectionofseasonalgardenjobideas.Asalwaysgardenersshouldpickandchoosewhatisappropriatefortheirlevels.

Activity Equipment

7 Garden calendar

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Season–Spring

Sowingcalendar,seeds,pottingtray,sieve,wateringcan,labels,stringandline(foroutdoorsowing)compost,pots,seedtrays,levellingboard

Paint,paintpots,dustsheets,brushes,sandpaperandblocks,dustpanandbrush,masks,overallsoraprons

Birdseedandfeeders,equipmentformakingfatcakes–seed,fatandsuet,terracottapots,microwave.BirdIDsheet,wildlifebooksandguides

Sowingvegetableandflowerseeds

Paintinggardenstructures,fences,etc.

Feedingthebirds

7 Garden calendar

Activity Equipment

Season–Spring

Pots,compost,dibber,prickingouttool,trowel,levellingboard

Barkmulch,wheelbarrow,spades,shovelandrakes

Lawnmower,edgingiron,edgingshears,dustpanandbrush,wheelbarrow,plank/boardtoedgeagainst

Weedingknives,buckets,kneelers,hoes,shovel,broom,dustpanandbrush,sand

Prickingoutortransferringseedlingsandpottingon

Mulchingborders

Grassmaintenance

Patiomaintenance

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Gardencalendar(continued)

Activity Equipment

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Season–Summer

Liftingspringbulbsifinthewayofsummerbeddingdisplay–storeindryconditions

Removingspring/winterbedding

Plantingtubsandhangingbaskets

Watering,especiallypotsofvegetablesandflowers

Plantingoutvegetablesintubsortheground

Stakingandsupportingplants

Harvestingmaturevegetablesandfruits

Trayslinedwithnewspaper,labels,trowelsandbuckets,secateurs

Trowels,handforks,pots,compost,wheelbarrows,buckets

Tubs,hangingbaskets,mossorbasketliner,summerbeddingplants,compost,slowreleaseplantfoodorpellets,wateringcans

Hoseorwateringcans

Vegetableplants,stringandline,trowels,spades,wateringcan

Hazeltwigs,bamboocanes,canecaps,string,scissors

Trays,secateurs,bags,punnets,buckets,trowels,handforks

Activity Equipment

Season–Summer

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Gardencalendar(continued)

Mowingandedginggrassareas

Sowingwinterbedding(pansiesandviolas)

Deadheadingfadedflowers

Preparingsemi-ripecuttings

Pickingflowersandcreatingdisplays

Patiomaintenance

AsinSpring

Seedsowingequipmentandseeds

Secateursand/orscissors,buckets

Sandandcompost,potsortrays,wateringcan,secateurs,bucket

Secateurs,scissors,baskets,vasesorbowls,OasisandOasisholder;tape

Weedingknivesandscrapers,buckets,kneelers,hoes,shovel,broom,dustpanandbrush,sandtofillinthecracks.

Activity Equipment

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Season–Autumn

Deadheading–removingdeadandfadedflowers

Harvesting

Watering

Planningforwinterbeddingorbulbs

Takingsemi-ripecuttings

Seedsowingperennials

Weeding

Edgingandgrasscutting

Secateurs,bucketsorbags,kneelerpads

Secateurs,collectingtrays,bags,punnetsandelasticbands,handforks,trowels

Lightweightwateringcansorhose

Seedcatalogues,bigsheetofpapertodrawplan,pens,scissors,magazinestocutout

Sandandcompost,potsortrays,wateringcans,secateurs,bucket

Seeds,seedtrays,compost,sieve,wateringcan,labelsandpencils,rubber

Shortorlong-handledtrowelsorforks,rakesorhandrakes

Mower,edgingironsandshears,plank/boardtoedgeagainst

Activity Equipment

Season–Autumn

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Gardencalendar(continued)

Bulbplanting

Plantingonionsetsandgarlic

Makingfatcakesforthebirds,observingbirdandwildlife

Pruningroses

Liftinganddividingperennials

Sweepingandrakingleaves

Removalofsummerbedding

Sowingsweetpeas

Bulbs,bulbplanters

Onionandgarlicsets,trowelsorbulbplanters,stringandline

SeeSpring

Secateurs,buckets

Largeforks,smallforks,spades,wheelbarrow,potsandcompost

Springtinerakes,wheelbarrow,leafcollectors,shovel,brooms

Trowels,handforks,wheelbarrow,bucket

Seeds,9cmpots(square)compost,levellingboard,dibber,wateringcan

Activity Equipment

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Season–Winter

Planningworkfornextyear

Preparingnewbedsfromscratch,ifthegroundisnotfrozen

Feedingthebirds,makingfatcakes

Makingacompostbinorleafmouldarea

Preparingnewareasornewbedsforplanting

Takinghardwoodcuttingsfrom:Forsythia,dogwood,Viburnum,Weigela,hazel,Winterhoneysuckle,willow

Propagationofstrawberryrunners

Sweepingandrakingleaves

Flowerandvegetablebooks,pensandpaper,largepaperforplans,seedcatalogues

Boardsandtapemeasure,edgingirons,spades,forks,wheelbarrow

SeeSpring

Instructions;chickenwireandoldpallets,saw,nails,workbench,posts,pliersandsecateurs

Spades,shovels,forks,wheelbarrow,handforksandhoes,buckets,secateurs

Sand,compost,buckets,2litreor1litrepots,secateurs,labels,wateringcan

Pegs,pots,compost,secateurs,strawberryplants

SeeAutumn

Activity Equipment

Season–Winter

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Gardencalendar(continued)

Xmascrafts,tabledecorationorwillowwreaths

Potwashing

Pottingonsweetpeas

Cuttingbacksomeperennialstotheground;leaveoneswhichlookgoodinwinterorthatneedthedeadfoliagetoprotectthemfromthefrost

Checkingsemiripecuttings

Foliagecollectedfromthegarden,string,scissors,OasisandOasisdish,tape,secateurs,buckets;willow,hazel,pinecones,baubles,spraypaint(silverandgold)glitter

Brushes,washingupliquid,cloths,plasticcontainersforcleanandsoapywater

Dibber,prickingouttool,composttrays,pots,compost,labels,wateringcan,levellingboard

Secateurs,buckets,wheelbarrow

Thesecanbepottedonwhenrooted

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Yournotes

Yournotes

page36

Thisguidehasbeencreatedtoprovideinformationandadviceforgardeningwithsomeonewhohasmemoryloss,theircarers,friendsandfamilies.Wewishtoacknowledgetheideas,contributionsandsupportgivenbyallthosewhohavehelpedproducethisguide.

Acknowledgements

LiabilityThriveacceptsnoresponsibilityfortheconsequencesofanyactionsundertakenasaresultofadviceofferedinthispublication.Onlyattemptwhatispossibleforyouandthepersonyouarecaringfor,andalwaysconsultahealthcareprofessionalbeforecommencinganewexerciseregime.Allinformationwascorrectatthetimeofgoingtoprint.

CopyrightAllrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybestoredinaretrievalsystemorreproducedinanyformwhatsoeverwithouttheprioragreementandwrittenpermissionofthepublisher.

PhotographyPhotographscopyright2010Thrive.SpecialthankstoMr.JBroadyforhisassistance.Selectedimagespages1,2,3,8,9,11,12,27,34licensedbyIngramPublishing.

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TheproductionofthisguidehasbeenmadepossiblewithfundingfromThePartnershipDevelopmentFund,BerkshireWestPCT.

ThriveNational OfficeThe Geoffrey Udall CentreBeech HillReadingRG7 2AT.

T: 0118 988 5688 E: info@thrive.org.uk W: www.thrive.org.uk www.carryongardening.co.uk

Thriveisasmallnationalcharitythatusesgardeningtochangethelivesofdisabledpeople.

ThriveisregisteredintheUKasTheSocietyofHorticulturalTherapy.Thriveisregisteredcharitynumber277570andalimitedcompanynumber