Gardening Age

You Are Never Too Old To Grow

Table of Contents
Preface.............. 4 Overview............ 7 Construction.......14

Preface
Gardening Age is a program initiated by the LeadingAge Leadership Academy 2013 to be a forum for sharing ideas and experiences with those who are interested in building a working garden for the elders who live in their community. Staying engaged, remaining active, and having purpose are key elements to enhancing ones quality of life as they age. Building a garden, planting and cultivating it, and ultimately harvesting the fruits of ones labor is just one way of doing that. We would like to thank the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture at Oklahoma State University for developing this colorful brochure along with the design for a simple modular garden to get you started. Get your entire community involved in building the program. Make it a multigenerational endeavor, keeping in mind that regardless of age, you are never too old to grow. LeadingAge Oklahoma Leadership Academy 2013

Overview

Active leisure throughout life is important for well being and health.

Properties of a Therapeutic Garden: - Outdoor sunlit areas and shaded zones - Encourages movement - Provides purpose and familiarity to patrons

Residents receive year round benets from gardens through physical and visual access. Benets of garden settings include reduced pain, improved attention, lessened stress, modulated agitation, reduced falls, and lower PRN medications and antipsychotics.
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Modular gardening efciently provides these opportunities in a manageable and easily maintainable way.

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Construction Materials Shopping List - (2) 4x4x6 - (4) 1x4x8 - (11) 1x6x8 - (2) 2x2x8

- (1 lb.) 2 All Weather Screws

- (2-20 sq.ft.) Waterproof Membrane and Geotextile Fabric

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Cut List
[A]

[A]-(4) 4x4x36

[B]

[B]-(8) 1x4x48

[C]

[C]-(8) 1x6x48

[D]

[D]-(4) 2x2x46.5

[E]

[E]-(14) 1x6x46.5

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Assembly
Step 1 Take two [A] pieces (4x4x36)
[A] [A]

Step 2 Attach 1 [C] piece (1x6x48) to the top of [A]. Use 2 screws per side.

[C]

[A]

Step 3 Attach 1 [B] piece (1x4x48) 1/4 below [C]. Use 2 screws per side.

[B]

[A]

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Assembly (cont.)
Step 4 Attach 1 [B] piece 6 from the bottom of the two [A] pieces. Use 2 screws per side.

[B] [A]

[D]

[A]

Step 5 Attach 1 [D] piece (2x2x46.5) 8 from the top of the two [A] pieces on the opposite side. Use 2 screws for each side. Step 6 Attach 1 [D] piece 7.25 from the bottom of the two [A] pieces on the same side as the previous [A]. Use 2 screws for each side.
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[D] [A]

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Assembly (cont.)
Step 7 Repeat steps 1-6 to complete other side. Connect both sides using steps 2-4.
[C]

[B]

Step 8 Attach 7 [E] pieces (1x6x46.5) evenly to the lower level. Use 2 screws for each side. Note that corner pieces must be notched. Step 9 Attach 7 [E] pieces (1x6x46.5) evenly to the upper level. Use 2 screws for each side. Note that corner pieces must be notched.
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[E]

[E]

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Assembly (cont.)
Step 9 Insert waterproof membrane and secure. Puncture holes to allow drainage. Insert geotextile fabric and secure.
[C]

Step 10 Miter remaining [C] pieces and attach to corners. Use 4 screws per piece so that there are two per corner. Step 11 Fill with preferred soil and plant. Remember that planters will require more water than gardens in the ground.

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Look for us on Facebook under Gardening Age. For more information on homes and services for the aging go to: www.leadingageok.org Designed by : Nicholas Nelson, ASLA, LEED AP Assistant Professor Program of Landscape Architecture Oklahoma State University

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