A big garden can be a gift, right up to the day it starts to feel like a second job. We’re joined by American garden writer Rhonda Fleming Hayes to talk about her book *Gardening for Life* and the practical reality behind a question many of us avoid: how do you keep gardening as you age without letting the work take over the joy?

We dig into strategies that make a garden more manageable without stripping away what you love. Rhonda shares a simple but powerful idea for accessible garden design: create zones, bring the most intensively planted beds closer to the house, and let the far edges shift towards lower-maintenance planting, native plants, and even rewilding. We also chat about raised beds, elevated planters, and vertical gardening, especially for anyone thinking about “right sizing” to a smaller space while still wanting fresh herbs, salads, and colour.

Safety gets a proper spotlight too, because a fall can change everything. We talk through common trip hazards, why it’s worth reviewing paths and patios, and how to rethink pride around getting help, whether that’s hedge cutting, ladders, or tree work. Along the way we touch on smarter, more ergonomic tools that reduce strain and keep you gardening longer.

If you’ve got a big lawn, long hedges, or a garden you want to enjoy for decades, this one is for you. Subscribe for more, share it with a gardener in your life, and leave a review to help others find the show.

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email:  info@mastermygarden.com   

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels   
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ 
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/  
 
Until next week  
Happy gardening  
John