Aren't we all striving for low-maintenance gardening, as much as possible? I refuse to plant anything that requires fussing over.
I try to do my weeding after the rain has soaked the ground. This is just good common sense, it seems to me.

Sounds like a book I should be reading - my wrists are ageing several times faster than the rest of me.

My husband and I have been dealing with the limitations of age in our gardens already, although we are only in our 50s. We are moving towards low maintenance plants and reducing the area that needs mowing. I would love to read "Gardening For A Lifetime" for more ways to make gardening easier.

The book is filled with insights for people of all ages who, with physical or time restraints (everyone is so busy these days) can't garden as much as they'd like to. She has downsized her garden, but most of us didn't start with such an extensive landscape. And as for her "declining health," she's going to be around for a good long time!

My grandmother worked in her garden in baltimore city until the day she died. My mother has recently taken over the property and i think this book might be pretty helpful for her.

hopefully she won't ask me for the book on tape version

I really need to read this book. I'm a perennial gardener and as I age I feel the gardens getting harder and harder to maintain. Every year I dig up and give away, but find it too easy to keep transplanting and let it grow.

You know, I think there's a lot to gardening that improves the way we live. There's something about growing a living organism and nurturing it's growth. Particularly special is having a garden for sustenance. Herb gardens, vegetable gardens, and fruit gardens have a way of keeping us healthy not only physically but mentally as well. Gardening is one of those activities that keeps us young!

Dear Susan,
I married into a family of lifetime gardeners which includes 5 siblings and their parents whom are both graduates of the Cornell Master Gardening program.
During a recent family gathering the "Collective" discussed the merits of "Digging" to relieve the stresses of their respective 9-5 schedules. The youngest of the 5 recently crossed the 50 year milestone. This steered the discussion to their respective milestones, how it was affecting their ability to spend the time they felt they deserved in their gardens and even broached the topic of garden reduction.
What I found most interesting is this entire conversation took place as the seven of them toured their mothers gardens, deadheading flowers, identifing who aquired which species first, which plant was a "sibling" of someone elses, ect.
I have tried gardening many times in the past but have never taken to the soil as this group has.
I came across an interview and review of Mrs. Eddison's book in the Hartford Courant this month and thought maybe if I were to read and digest the writings of Mrs. Eddison, I might better understand the thoughts and motivations of this band of happy gardeners.

Sincerely
Bill

This book may have come along at just the right time for me. I have developed arthritis in my hands along with other aliments and was facing this decision. What to do about my many gardens. Do I down size? Do I hire help? The thought of never gardening again causes me such sadness. My mother gardened into her late 80s. I hope I can do the same.

As my husband and I grow older. we know that we will have to make some changes. We so love our garden, and have spent many hours over the years developing it, but we know that it is heavy maintenance and sometimes well beyond our physical capabilities. I am so happy that someone has addressed this issue and would love to read her suggestions.

For the past few years, the knees have been displeased by the kneeling involved in gardening. This year, they are especially cranky about it and refuse to be usuaged by sitting instead.

I love gardens, but I am not much of a gardener, though I grow a few plants and trees in the plot of land surrounding my house, tend to them a little but not beyond watering when needed, I appreciate and feel proud when they sprout or blossom or bear fruit. As one gets on years, the stiffening of your wrists, ankles and knees naturally affects your ability to pursue your interests, especially like gardening, which requires the use of these joints. Glad someone thought of writing a book on the subject. Thanks for covering it in your post.