Adaptive gardening is a new and evolving topic. Its simplest definition is adapting one’s garden and gardening to their changing physical capabilities. The presentation begins with such basics as joint protection and fall protection and progresses to the often difficult decision to downsize, including how to downsize in place. Preventive adaptation for younger gardeners will also be covered.

During a career in marketing communications spanning more than 60 years, Mr. Pancoast specialized in serving tree, landscape and lawn care businesses, as well as their trade associations and suppliers. This was a natural specialty since he had studied landscape architecture at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry before earning a degree in radio/television at Syracuse University, also in New York.

As mobility restrictions began taking their toll on his gardening abilities (but not his knowledge!), he launched a blog, The Geriatric Gardener (thegeriatricgardener.wordpress.com), in February 2017. In it, he shares his experiences, and how he has adapted. While continuing the blog, he also compiled the best posts into a critically-acclaimed book – The Geriatric Gardener: Adaptive Gardening Advice For Seniors – so other senior gardeners would have all the information they need at their fingertips. Mr. Pancoast makes personal presentations to garden clubs and other groups. From these, he has learned many new ways in which senior gardeners can work smarter instead of harder, which have been chronicled in a sequel book, The Geriatric Gardener 2.0: MORE Adaptive Gardening Advice For Seniors. Mr. Pancoast is also a 39-year member of Garden Communicators International (GardenComm).