The Potting Shed: Attitude is basic tool for the life-long gardener

As I age, I am determined to continue my gardening as a form of exercise and mind control.

In my garden, I am able to express myself and to maintain control over outcomes. No force exists to tell me how to, why to, or what not to at any time while I am weeding, planting and tending. I remain king of my chosen empire.

To maintain that control, each year I must reassess my own capabilities. Both physical and mental prowess changes as I age. The time when a half-acre was an acceptable size for my Victory Vegetable Garden is over.

As I prepare to leave my 50s, a much smaller garden becomes reality. I now can rule an empire of 50 square feet quite well, thank you, and realize that even this battlefield will continue to decrease as I age.

Now, my allies become my physical helpmates. A small usable tiller, my rubber kneepads and well-tended soil are "must haves" in my battle against sore muscles and an aging body. I find that the better the shape of my garden soil, the easier it is to plant and tend the garden.

I constantly add amenities to the soil; my compost pile has become my best friend. Armed with my tiller, I add compost to the garden soil continuously, which makes planting and weeding a much more "do-able" chore.

The tiller will keep my ground loose while ridding the area of most weeds. My kneepads enable me to become one with the earth, figuratively. I can crawl through the rows weeding, planting or harvesting while using hand tools as needed - not a pretty sight, but great exercise with no fear of falling.

While age remains an inhibitor for any gardener, attitude becomes the enabler. We all need to seek out ways to continue that which we enjoy as we age. Gardening has so many rewards beyond the food or flowers produced. It enables us to maintain our sense of oneness with the earth.

Through gardening, we understand our place in the order of things and gain a keener insight into the life cycle itself. We may walk, roll, crawl or limp our way along as we practice our hobby, but gardeners we can remain throughout our life.

Bob Johnson is a Lenoir County master gardener.