SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Seniors sit inside the Step Riverwalk Center for Healthy Aging in South Williamsport to learn about gardening safety tips. The Lycoming County Master Gardeners say gardening can become more difficult as we age.
"We were talking about how aches and pains and how gardening is getting to be as we've gotten a little older and I've had some injuries and surgeries, and we thought, well, I think lots of other people would be interested as well," said Daryl Kern, Lycoming County Master Gardener.
The presentation gave some important safety tips to seniors, such as making sure you have a cell phone while you're outside and drinking lots of water.
"You have to know your limitations and your disabilities and try to work with them, and I think the most important thing is take lots of breaks, " said Kern.
If you plant flowers, fruits or vegetables put them in easy to reach spots so you're not constantly bending down.
"Grow lettuce in a hanging basket, that's not hard to do, hang it next to your basket with the flowers too they can be side by side hanging on—shepherd hook with flowers on one side and lettuce on the other side," said Sandra Murray, Lycoming County Master Gardener.
Another tip: choose the spot for your garden carefully.
"It's so easy to lose your balance and fall over if there's rocks in the way, make sure it's flat even, no obstructions so you can fall," said Kern.
"First thing you know you fall, and you end up in the hospital, and then it's too late to learn what not to do at that point in time, the time to learn it is before you get those problems," said Murray.
Master gardeners say they'd like to go out into other communities to speak with other seniors about gardening safety.