Gardening happiness for seniors: Raised beds promote joy of life in Merzig!

Gardening happiness for seniors: Raised beds promote joy of life in Merzig!

Things are blooming and thriving in the Merzig multi-generational house: an exciting garden project has seen the light of day here under the direction of Michaela Auweiler, a DTB movement expert in geriatric care. On June 26, 2025, two barrier-free raised beds were inaugurated, which were specially designed for guests of the senior day care. The aim of the project is to offer meaningful activities that not only bring back memories of previous gardening work, but also promote physical and mental mobility. Wochenspiegel Online reports that the raised beds are built at a back-friendly height and are therefore easily accessible for people with restricted mobility.

Thanks to the support of the Bachem Zupforchester, the raised beds, including soil and materials, were realized. Michaela Auweiler herself contributed pre-grown young plants, while the property was made available by the Jacobs family. The enthusiasm of the guests is already palpable: they are enthusiastically taking care of the plants and are looking forward to processing the vegetables that will be harvested later in the day care kitchen. The project creates a welcome structure, joy and a piece of everyday life for the participants.

Barrier-free gardening

But what makes raised beds for seniors so special? In addition to the comfortable height of around 90 to 100 cm, which makes bending and kneeling easier, they offer numerous advantages. Raised beds are often made of recyclable materials that give off additional heat. This means that the soil temperature in the raised bed can be up to 5°C higher than in the flat bed, which accelerates plant growth. This information is supported by Senioren 50 Plus, who also highlight that many older people view their garden as an important hobby.

The materials from which the raised beds are constructed are also crucial. Raised beds, for example, should be made of splinter-free wood, and the board should not be less than 3.5 to 5 cm thick in order to remain stable even when fully loaded. Additionally, a handrail or cover on the top edges is recommended to provide support. These aspects are not only important for safety, but also contribute to a pleasant gardening experience. GrünReich emphasizes that a width of 1 m makes it possible to reach the middle of the bed from both sides.

Gardening as an elixir of life

For many older people, gardening is not only a pastime, but also a real source of joy. It makes it possible to move in the fresh air, grow different types of fruit and vegetables and return to an active everyday life. But back and joint pain can make gardening difficult, especially as you get older. Raised beds offer the perfect solution here. They help to reduce the burden and help seniors to pursue their hobby more easily.

In summary: The new raised bed project in the Merzig multi-generational house not only makes plants bloom, but also creates joy of life and community among the seniors. And all without back pain!