LAST PAGE: Duane Pancoast, 85
Victor author, blogger talks “adaptive gardening” for boomers
By Melody Burri
Q: You’ve enjoyed a long, prolific career in broadcasting and public relations. What are experiences that have brought you the most joy and satisfaction?
A: “For years I specialized in representing the green industry, including Ted Collins Tree & Landscape, Birchcrest Tree & Landscape, and other tree and landscape companies and associations across the country. As it turned out, my college career in landscape architecture and degree in radio and television paid off. They enabled me to hit the ground running and take clients from small growing companies to the top of the industry. Particularly rewarding was the 1985 launch of my own public relations firm, The Pancoast Concern, which I headed for 38 years before retiring in 2023. My son now carries on the tradition with TPC Marketing, Inc.”
Q: Retirement and the aging process have impacted your passion for gardening — tell us about that.
A: “The changes have happened over time, as they do for many. One of my knees went out around 2000, which made lawn mowing more difficult and meant I could no longer kneel to plant or weed. Then I had a stroke in 2020 which changed things even more. Now I hire someone to help with lawn, weeding and pruning maintenance. That leaves me free to concentrate on writing and tend my indoor garden — I’ve got about 30 tillandsia, or air plants. I also do talks and seminars for garden clubs and associations, master gardener groups and senior citizen groups. ”
Q: You’ve now published two books and maintain a blog on the subject of “adaptive gardening.” What does that mean and what kinds of tips can readers learn?
A: “It’s a term that means adapting your garden and your gardening to changing physical capabilities as you age. There’s more than one reason why people have to adapt — it’s not all about muscles and joints. There are also cardio and respiratory issues, deteriorating vision, temperature sensitivities and memory loss. These all need to be addressed in a different way.
“Adaptive gardening is such a new and evolving discipline, so what I wrote in 2020 is still pertinent, but there are many new developments. In the first book I was pushing container gardening and raised beds. Now I’m also interested in vertical gardens and elevated beds (raised beds with legs) that will accommodate wheelchairs. I previously talked about downsizing your gardens when you move to a smaller place. Now I talk about ‘downsizing in place.’ And my next blog post describes a way you can help your annuals reseed for the following year.”
Q: What do you hope readers will learn from reading your blog and books?
A: “Nobody has to be a retired gardener, you simply have to adapt to your changing physical capabilities. Aging happens in stages and the changes you make now can lessen or eliminate future challenges.
“So now may actually be the right time to make your patio smoother and your paths wider to accommodate a walker or wheelchair. Taking care of your knees now can minimize future wear and tear. Wearing a brimmed hat might help you avoid sun damage. And lifting with your legs instead of your back will surely have future benefits.
“Know that even if you’re at the “age of invincibility,” that will change. You can slow down the process or even head off problems by following these and other adaptive gardening tips.”