Healthy aging

Gardening, outdoors, and hobbies after 50

Time outside and the activities you enjoy for their own sake. Read a guide, or start with a small step you can do today.

A woman watering raised garden beds in a sunny backyard.

Steps to start today

Spend 20 minutes tending something outside

About 20 minutes · Easy to moderate. Stop while you still feel comfortable.

Choose one manageable gardening or outdoor task and stop while you still feel comfortable.

How to start
Pick one small task and set a 20-minute timer before you begin.
You will need
A small outdoor task you already have: watering, weeding a small bed, potting a plant, or tidying a corner.
How hard
Easy to moderate. Stop while you still feel comfortable.
Done when
The timer ran out, or you finished the task.

Involves: being outdoors.

Safety: Use sun, heat, lifting, and tool precautions appropriate to the task and conditions.

Evidence strength: moderate. General information, not medical advice.

Minute Tips for this area

Make it yours

Members get one small step chosen each day from their goals, interests, time, and limits, and it adapts when a step is not right. What you tell us stays yours, and skipping a day is never held against you.

Open My Fit after 50 Choose health goals

This page is general education, not medical advice. Stop for a new concerning symptom and ask a clinician if you are unsure. How we review content.