Gardening can be strenuous. And when youre experiencing aches and pains due to the normal aging process, it can be tough to keep up with your gardening. Heres an overview of how to choose gardening tools that are especially useful for older gardeners.

Look for light tools. Dont use heavy steel tools. Instead, look for lightweight wooden, plastic or rubber tools designed to be easy on the hands.

Get an easier grip. Sometimes it can be hard to maintain a firm grip on your tools without discomfort and cramping in the hands. You can buy tools with ergonomic, wide handles for an easier grip, or you can make your handles more comfortable by encasing them in foam tubing.

Keep tools sharp. Tools that are sharp and clean require less strength and effort to do the job.

Use hand extenders. A hand extender provides a right-angled grip, extending the length of a tools handle and allowing you to grip it at a 45-degree angleletting you use the strength of your entire arm, not just your hand and wrist, when using the tool.

Use long handles. Some stores sell long-handled versions of common garden tools that you can use while standing up.

Use reachers. A reacher allows you to pick up small items on the ground without having to bend down.

Use strong gloves. Gloves can protect your hands while providing extra padding.

Just because you cant kneel all day or constantly bend down without pain doesnt mean you have to stop gardening. Check your favorite gardening tool store for tools that are friendly for older adultsand youll be able to continue gardening as much as you want to.