Gardening can be a most rewarding activity and retirement means more time is available to take care of your garden and get on with the projects you have always wanted to pursue.

Gardening expert Professor David Stevens, (pictured) of Well Street, Buckingham, said retirees were now fitter and healthier and gardening was a great way to keep in shape.
He said: "Retirees stay fit and spend time in the garden more than ever before.

"When you are elderly, things like raised beds, which you can create with railway sleepers, can help a great deal particularly for those who are wheelchair-bound as well.

"One of the big trends if you are retired and you have more time available is growing vegetables, which is popular in the UK.

"If you want to reduce maintenance in the garden, you can think about growing ground-covering plants to prevent weed growth. You can use mulches like woodchips, or reduce your lawn area."

Other ways of reducing maintenance in the garden is by having gravel with a membrane underneath instead of lawn, using paving, or having decking installed.

Prof Stevens said: "Gardening is a way of staying fit and healthy. It is recognised as a healthy pastime because you are taking in fresh air.
"You also might think of a project to do while you are not working."

He also advised older gardeners to pass on their gardening knowledge and tips to the younger generation to encourage them to take a keener interest in the garden.