The front cover of Victor resident Duane Pancoast’s second book of adaptive gardening advice for seniors. Photo provided by Duane Pancoast
Victor Garden Writer Duane Pancoast has published a second book of adaptive gardening advice for seniors. The octagenarian author defines adaptive gardening as “adapting your garden and gardening as your physical capabilities change due to aging.”
The book, The Geriatric Gardener 2.0: MORE Adaptive Gardening Advice For Seniors, is based on Pancoast’s blog posts since his first Geriatric Gardener book was published in 2020. The first book was based on his first three years of blogging. The new book contains tips audiences have shared during his presentations to garden clubs and other community organizations, as well as his research and just talking with other older gardeners.
Pancoast says the 2.0 book, which is 20 pages longer than the first edition, contains garden and gardening techniques that have evolved since he wrote the first book. He notes that adaptive gardening is a relatively new discipline, so it’s constantly changing (i.e. adapting).
In the book’s introduction, Pancoast lists and explains three main points he hopes readers will take away. They are: 1) Nobody has to be a retired gardener; 2) Adaptive Gardening is cool at any age; and 3) Adaptive Gardening gives you joy for a lifetime.Like the first book, the 2.0 book’s 63 quick-read chapters, based on the author’s experience, education, and research, are organized into six easy-to-navigate sections.
Pancoast studied Landscape Architecture at the SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry before earning a degree in radio/television from Syracuse University. He has worked in marketing communications since 1961, and has represented tree, lawn and landscape companies locally and nationally, since 1970. He owned his own firm from 1985 until 2022. His firm also served “green industry” trade organizations, equipment manufacturers and suppliers.
The 134 page book’s cover price is $19.99 plus tax and shipping. Pancoast says he has kept the price affordable for all senior gardeners, even those on fixed income. It’s sold only through the secure website, https://thepancoastconcern.com/the_geriatric_gardener. He says the first critically acclaimed book, The Geriatric Gardener: Adaptive Gardening Advice For Seniors, is also available on the website for $14.95 plus tax and shipping. Both books can be ordered for $30 plus tax and shipping, a saving of nearly $5. Pancoast says each of his blog posts at www.thegeriatricgardener.wordpress.com also has a link at the end for ordering the books.
Pancoast also speaks on adaptive gardening to area garden clubs, master gardeners, senior citizen groups, libraries and, as he says, “any other group that’ll listen to me.” His slide-illustrated presentations can be live or virtual, and he always has a supply of books to sell. Groups wanting to schedule programs can contact him at pancoastduane@gmail.com.
