A Small And Simple Garden For Your Retirement

This is a great way to have some fun and earn money from your own home and more importantly, on your own time schedule. Some of you love gardening and others just want a little bit of color in the years to come. There are a couple of things you can do to still make plants and flowers be a part of your everyday life.

Mountain Home	Beach House

For some of you it may retiring to a beach or the mountains. Others may be staying right in the same house or downsizing. Others may be moving into a retirement community. I decided not to put in a lot of detail on plants as many of you retire to a variety of geographic locations. Whatever your situation may be, you can do just a few plant specimens with little maintenance and have color year around.

The first step is to decide what low maintenance shrubs or flowers you want. Plan your small area in the front or back yard. Do just one bed of a circle or square. This will be your special garden bed, easy to take care of and one that you can be proud of. If you don't want to or unable to prepare the soil, hire someone to help you out. Think about having a few evergreen shrubs in the garden. Even if you live in a colder climate, the colors of the plants will be there throughout the cold winter months.

Parson Juniper	Variegated Cypress

A container garden is another option for you. Take a look at this article to get some ideas for A container garden project for an apartment, patio or small landscape area. Many retirees are opting for the container garden to plant some flowers, herbs or a few vegetables.

Color plays a big role in any size garden. Maybe you have always had roses. Consider doing one little planter with a low maintenance rose bush.

Little Planter	Yellow Rose

If you live in a warm climate or even tropical location you will have a little more options throughout the year. One of the most popular plants you have around is the Palm.

Windmill	Palmetto

Many retirement communities in coastal or warm regions love putting a variety of Palms throughout the center. Last year I was in Fort Myers, Florida and did a small design for a couple living in a retirement community. They had some existing shrubs and I just added some colors with a couple of Loropetalum Chinese Pizzazz and a few varieties of flowers. The small bed went across the front and all the shrubs and flowers were low maintenance and the people now have different colors and textures year around.

If you are staying in the same home, consider redoing some beds to provide you with less work but still having a few good plant specimens around. Go ahead and hire someone to do your lawn. You have earned that and it will give you the time to do the things you have wanted to for years. A big advantage to having a small garden or a few planters, is you are able to take off and travel. A neighbor or friend can maintain your watering schedule while you are gone.

Mountains	Coast

Whether you live in the mountains, coast, countryside, or city, plan to have a little color of a few different plant specimens in a garden or in some decorative planters. A simple way to enjoy some shrubs or flowers after your retire. If you would like any help in planning a little garden or doing planters, feel free to contact me and I would be happy to give you some suggestions for your geographic location.

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