Summer is at an end, and the trees in the mountains are turning bright orange and red. Of course, most of that is due to fires, but those trees untouched by the wild flames are also turning a more beautiful shade of orange and red.

Soon the leaves down here in the valley will start turning colors also. Utah is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. For many seniors, their gardens are also one such point of interest.

Spending time, working in the yard can be rewarding. Spending all your time working in the yard can be more than you need.

How Do You Want To Spend Your Outdoor Time?

Pros of yardwork

Having a garden where you can enjoy fresh vegetables is nice. There are also many flowers that you can grow in Utah for three of our four seasons. There’s nothing better than going out on your patio and smelling the fresh scent of your living bouquet.

I’ve also been told by many folks that their favorite thing about summer is smelling the freshly clipped grass.

Working the ground with your own hands is sometimes a reward in itself.

There’s no doubt about it, a living happy yard is very therapeutic.

Cons of yardwork

While tending a yard can be nice, there are also a few times when you’d rather not. This is especially true if you are over 55 years old.

For instance, you may be at or near retirement, and having someone else taking care of your yard allows you more freedom to spend your time when and where you like.

Another problem with yardwork, is the older we get, the harder on our bodies the work becomes. If you or your spouse needs to rely on family, friends, or neighbors to maintain your yard, you might be better off in a community where all that is taken care of for you.

Don’t forget, a yard can be expensive to maintain. Not only are there tools, gas, chemicals, and fertilizers, but your garage tends to fill up with all these maintenance items. For many of us, these things tend to take over.

The right amount

For those of you who love yardwork, we’ve got what you need. Our 55+ communities are maintained by an HOA, which ensures that your home will have all the yardwork taken care of. This allows you the flexibility of going on vacations whenever you want.

Having a fully maintained yard also keeps your garages uncluttered and helps you so that you aren’t always calling in favors from family and friends.

But never fear, you still have more planting freedom of your own. If you’re the sort who simply needs to till a little soil, remember that in our communities, you can.

While all the grass, trees, and shrubs are taken care of for you, many greenthumbs will fill the planter strips around their homes with flowers. Your back patios also have a fair sized planter strip that you’re able to grow vegies and other plants of your choice in.

These extra plants are yours to take care of, the HOA doesn’t bother with them, so you can do as much or little as you like.

Our communities really are the best place for you, regardless of the amount of gardening you prefer.