How to Create Safe & Low Maintenance Gardens For The Elderly

Enjoying time in the garden is ageless – whether playing with children or pets, having BBQs with friends or tending to flowers and plants. But, as we age, it can become more difficult to look after and move around our gardens.

Thankfully, there are many simple ways you can adapt your outside spaces and, at AWBS, we have a range of products to help ensure your garden is a low maintenance, safe, accessible and continually enjoyable place to be.

Raised beds, trellis and planters - convenient and attractive

Raised beds make planting, digging and weeding so much easier. Wooden sleepers are the ideal solution for creating a perfect-height raised bed. Our range includes reclaimed railway sleepers, new softwood and Grange Rustic and round Sleepers, so you can find a style to beautifully complement your garden.

An accessible trellis is another easy way to grow and tend to flowers and plants, without having to stretch or bend. Attaching a trellis to a wall, such as our Grange Elite Lightweight Wall Trellis, creates a lovely natural effect, at a height that’s best for you. Planters with trellis, like our Grange Rosa Planter, are also a good choice, as is our freestanding Grange Table Trough, allowing you to sit or stand to work at a comfortable height.

Artificial grass, the low maintenance lawn!

Lawns can be demanding and time consuming for anyone to care for, and an even bigger problem for the elderly gardener. More and more people are now choosing artificial grass as a cost-effective and low-maintenance alternative to a real lawn. Our high-quality artificial turf comes in three different blade lengths and requires very little care. With no mowing, watering or weeding, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a beautiful and hassle-free lawn, all year round.

Paving, paths and patio's

Paving with a firm, level surface is essential for safe movement around the garden and reducing trip hazards. Contrasting coloured paving can help those with impaired vision safely find their way about. We have a wonderful selection of natural stone and concrete paving slabs, in a variety of colours and effects, to help you achieve the patio or pathway that’s right for you.

Textured paving is perfect for creating a non-slip surface in wet conditions, such as the Stonemarket Timberstone range of wood-effect concrete paving. With a coarse grain for a firm, under-foot grip, this paving helps prevent areas becoming slippery or dangerous.

Why fencing is a better option than a hedge

As well as providing security and privacy, fencing is highly favourable over hedges, which grow fast and require a lot of looking after. We have a wide range of fencing, from budget lap or board fence panels, to decorative and detailed screen panels. A lattice-top finish or a panel with a diamond trellis top also open up further opportunities for growing vine-type vegetables or climbing plants.

The importance of good garden seating and lighting

Seats and resting places are highly important, to allow you to take a break from tending to your garden. We have a delightful range of gazebos, to create the perfect retreat to relax and enjoy the great outdoors, and our stunning arbours offer attractive and practical seating solutions for any garden.

Pathway lighting and spotlights around raised beds and borders will allow you to continue to enjoy your garden, safely, into the evening – whether gardening or relaxing. Clever lighting can add interest to your outside area, as well as help spot any night time wildlife visitors.

Handrails placed around the patio area, walkways and garden can also provide additional assistance as you enjoy your time outside.

Water features - the safe way

While a pond can be a delightful addition to a garden, maintaining it can involve heavy jobs, like clearing weed, and open water can be a danger. A water feature is an ideal alternative, without the hard work or hazard, and we offer a wide range of decorative aggregates, rockery stone and paving specifically designed for use alongside water features.

To find out more about our range of products to help create a safe garden for the elderly, please contact us or visit one of the display gardens at our branches in Oxford, Yarnton and Swindon.