Downsizing Gardens for the Autumn of our lives

My square foot garden has evolved over time.  When my kids were toddlers, I built a very large sandbox for them, measuring about 12'x12'.   In 2008, they outgrew it, so I converted it into my first square foot garden.  My children are now grown up and moved on, so I converted it into a zinnia garden this year.  I still have three 4'x4' boxes for veggies though.

Honestly, OG, I would put your best MM into your beds that you want to keep going.  I would plant your reminding beds with perennials that may or may not require upkeep.   Good for you!!!!!!!

OG,  I've been thinking the same thoughts.  I'm approaching 76 and I'm guessing I will basically stop most of the gardening around 80.  That means that most canning, dehydrating and freezing will stop, also.  

Are you open to flowers?  Both perennial and annuals?   Or else haul surplus veggies to food banks or a free stand in front of the house.  Flowers sound like much less responsibility.    

I'm picturing flowers in most of my table top beds.  Colorful snapdragons and pansies in the winter here in California.  Hot pink Zinnias and moss rose, blue salvia, white vincas in the summer.   

Veggie-wise, wintertime is easier gardening for me with brassicas (covered with bridal tulle), cilantro, lettuce carrots, garlic, bush peas.  Maybe 50 square feet of beds for veggies with flowers in the empty squares??  For summer, 3 slicers instead of 30 tomato plants, 2-3 peppers instead of 14, bush Blue Lake beans instead of pole, 3 Muncher and 3 Beit Alpha cucumbers, 1-2 Armenian cucumbers.  Two (2) rounds of Yukon Golds.

have you thought of donating the excess to a local food charity?  up where I live, the local churches that double as some food bank type operations are very grateful for anything - and the area does have a robust farmer's market, but that excess doesn't get passed on.

If you have extra definitely give it away. Maybe even at a senior center. So many of my older friends are struggling with buying produce or fruit they want.  The prices are just so high now.  I get that it is getting too much just to plant them all and water and put up everything. I am beginning this year to have a harder time getting my acre mowed. My brother suggested planting a lot more tree and just having a forest out back that I do not mow. I plant less flowers than before. I dread having to pay for help.  My square foot garden is smaller than yours so for now I will keep it.

https://ampleharvest.org/.     This organization connects  Gardners with local food banks. I am 79 and this way I can still grow but not waste food.