I put my tomatoes in large pots. Some of the greens are in smaller pots by the patio. My roses are a challenge since I have so many, but I do not spray. I invest in a huge amount of mulch to help control the weeds. I have sprayed the entire non bed yard with round up, and intend to put in large rocks or stones. We do not mow or use the weed eater or edger.

When I must weed or when a section of the yard gets by me, I use the fork/spade to dig up the dirt so that the weeds are easier to pull.

I prune when I can, and follow the rules for the roses, rather than to treat all the roses like hybrid teas, since that is not what they are.

I use good gloves that fit my hands and give me support. I rotate my body positions so that I won't hurt my knees, back, etc.

I am never finished, and often a little sore.

I love teaching school, and do not know when I will retire, but I hate being cooped up today - knowing that I will have to continue in the spring. I need full days to work in the spring.

Anyway, that is what I do.

Sammy

Without a husband to stop me, I would have named my first child VIOXX. That stuff changed my world and I was crushed when they took it off the market.

Mostly, I just use mental exercises to get me through the pain. I do schedule certain tasks for when my husband is around to get me off the ground and apply a patch.

I bought an old lawn mower and use it like a tractor to pull okra and other tuff plants. I have T-post driven into the ground with rebar attached to use as a trellis and a support for me to hold to. I mulch so it is easy for me to crawl along the row and not get really dirty.
I have a trailer to pull behind my mower, when I buy something at town I can drag it out ot the back of my pickup onto the trailer and take around to the shop where I have a 1 ton chain hoist to lift it to the ground. I have bought about 14 10" wheels and in the process of installing wheels to all my tools and work table.

My back and right hip are screwed up, my parents are in their 80's and I feel I am the only one left to look after them.

I can do most things that I did when I was young (except hear and lift), it just takes much, much longer.

I think there are a lot of things a person can still do when they get older, they just have to learn a new method.

I damaged my liver several years ago taking Tylenol after a couple car accidents. Now I take DLPA, a natural amino acid that acts like a pain blocker, from the health food store. Also learned how vital Vit D is to minimizing pain. Dr recommended 3,000IU daily after test showed I was very low. It not only improved my immune system, but relieves pain. And I take epsom salt baths when I over do. And get massages sometimes.

Yoga also helps to keep the joints and muscles working well. Although I don't practice it as consistently as I did back when I hurt all the time.

all of this is helping me so much guys,thank you for each and every idea,will mull them over and figure out how to change my systems of work :)

Mulberryknob, I am glad you posted, that sounds like something I want to try.

My Nephrologist took me off arthritis medication 3 years ago because my kidney functions dropped to 55%. They came back to above 90%, but I hurt more than I use to.

When I had cancer surgey last march I was found to also have one kidney stone and two galdstones, which I dont think are giving any problem yet. I expect I need to learn more about dealing with pain because I want to be able to stay out of the hosp. and look after mom and my step dad as long as they are here.

Your remark may be a big help to me, thanks.

Larry

I don't have age or pain issues but I have significant energy issues. I'm putting a lot of things in containers this year and lining them up in close proximity to the water hose. I'm using this year to put black plastic on my vegetable bed to try and kill all the grass and weeds that caused me so many problems the last few years. The weeds are the thing that saps most of my energy. I only have 3 hours a day to fit in gardening, dinner, cleaning, and the rest of my life so I don't want to spend all that time with bermuda grass.

The worst problems for me are clearing the garden in the spring. It takes a lot of energy, twisting, turning, pulling, hauling, stuffing bags, to clean up the garden for spring. Like someone said, I just do it slower. Where it once took a day, it now takes 2, 3, and sometimes 4 days to accomplish. But, I love being outside so much, gardening, watching the birds, butterflies, and bees, that it is well worth it.

For digging and planting I use my garden bench - the seat with two vertical handles, to kneel down on, and to support me when I get up. I also use it upside down to prune plants, harvest seeds, and anything above ground. I would love to have one of the rolling tractor things, but I have so little room I don't think I could maneuver it around very well.

I have severe spinal and cervical stenosis, DDD, OA, etc., and have had one back surgery already, which helped significantly. However, I find I am getting close to needing another. I just won't until it gets really bad. I only take IB when necessary. If I remember, I will rub on some BenGay Arthritis formula to my neck and knees before I go out, which helps to loosen up the muscles a bit. I sit on the steps to do my potting up of seedlings and larger plants, and a garden wand is a wonderful thing for reaching plant roots that I can no longer reach on my own, and when I don't want to bend down to water.

Right now, my worst problem is losing my glasses that I hang on my shirt. I tried those things you wear around your neck, but they catch on everything. I need 2 pairs of glasses - one for close up vision and one for regular. I know - I need bifocals - but I can't bring myself to spend $500 for a pair when I can get 2 pairs for $2 at the Dollar Store. And, I usually find the pairs I lose in the spring when I'm doing clean up!

Susan

Susan, I have quite a bit of correction in my glasses, and have difficulty reading much without my full correction. However, in the garden I often use some glasses that I purchased at Dillards.

Mine were $30.00 when I purchased them. I "can" read, but just a little, I can see distance, but not that clearly, but I can see what I am gardening.

The day I purchased them, I tried on many pairs, wandered around the store, tried on more, wandered, until I found what I wanted. My eyes will zoom in and focus, but taking my time, I found what I wanted.

I wear rather expensive glasses usually, and also keep a little magnifying glass handy. But those Dillards glasses are very helpful.

Sammy

Susan, my wife buys glasses on line for around $50.00. She fills out a form with her information on and orders the glasses. You may need to go to the DR. to get the info the first time. She has done this 2 or 3 times and is happy with the glasses. She also got sun glasses and is happy with them.

Larry

I find a good two-wheeler invaluable for moving 40 pound or 2cf bags. A good heavy duty wagon is good for carrying smaller amounts of fertilizer and for keeping tools handy.
I use a boat seat cushion life preserver for kneeling.
It has been SO LONG since last season, I am sure that I will remember more aids. As has been said - the older I get, the behinder I get.
Ron Z