I’m not the only one, maybe there are many more of us?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by hailbopp, Apr 29, 2025.

  1. JennyJB

    JennyJB Total Gardener

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    Lawn and hedge cutting are like housework - I do it because I like the results, not because I enjoy the process. I prefer growing seeds, cuttings etc but I'm limited by space constraints. As a result the planting in my garden is always changing. I like the general pottering - deadheading here and there, pulling up a few weeds etc. I don't mind pruning shrubs, and even feeding the prunings through the shredder is satisfying in a strange sort of way. For some reason I also like turning the compost bin contents even though it's hard mucky work. Possibly the suspense of not quite knowing how well it will have rotted down in the bottom.
     
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    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      That's a good plan but 53 years later the garden didn't have the same vision as us :whistle: - like Topsy 'it just growed'. :dunno:
       
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      • Plantminded

        Plantminded Total Gardener

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        I don’t believe you, your garden looks perfectly managed @shiney :).
         
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        • hailbopp

          hailbopp Keen Gardener

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          Thanks all for your input, I now don’t feel so “ guilty” about the gardening chores I could see far enough and know I am not alone in this. I just need to find someone who likes doing the gardening jobs I don’t!
           
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          • Sheal

            Sheal Total Gardener

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            I've never considered myself a gardener but a grower. The garden for me is somewhere to put the plants I've grown, or pass them on to someone who appreciates them. I must have a lawn as I find a garden full of plants alone, claustrophobic. Landscaping is my nightmare, currently being undertaken in my newish, current garden.
             
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            • Thevictorian

              Thevictorian Super Gardener

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              One of my biggest problems with propagating so much, is passing it on. I wouldn't say I'm attached to most of the things I multiply this way but I've given away so many plants, after all the time and effort that went into getting them strong and healthy, where they have then quickly been killed by the new owner. Our neighbours are the worst for this as their garden is seen as a chore. They want it to look nice but without any effort. I have given them plants that they wanted but just never planted or watered, so I just stopped giving them things and they now buy a couple of plants a year to kill instead.
              I find selling stuff for charity is better because you get a reward for the effort and you don't tend to know how the plants fared after that.
               
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              • NigelJ

                NigelJ Total Gardener

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                My garden has been described as looking like a slightly rundown nursery by a colleague, but I like growing plants that are different to the run of the mill garden centre offer. I also dislike cutting the grass more than once every 4 to 6 weeks, just as I dislike washing the car every Sunday morning.
                I give plants away on Freecycle and to colleagues.
                 
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                • JennyJB

                  JennyJB Total Gardener

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                  Normally at this time of the year I'd be cutting the grass at least once a week and maybe twice a week, but not this year. It's jut not growing as normal due to the lack of rain.
                   
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                  • hailbopp

                    hailbopp Keen Gardener

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                    I’ve run a charity plant sale for about the last 11 or 12 years, raise a lot of money for the charities dear to my heart and have also made some really good friends through it. Ok you do get the odd horror who asks you every detail of every plant you are selling, usually over 100 different varieties, an hour later then buys 1 Lupin “ as I know this plant”:thud: and another which drives me to drink…any excuse is “ what plants do you have that flower 12 months of the year” My stock reply is “ I don’t know of one but if you discover such a plant let me know as I too would like a plant like that!”
                    I would stick to doing your charity sales and forget the neighbour, if you give things away they are often treated as worthless. I am sure some of the plants I sell never get out of their pots but as you rightly say I do not need to see what happens to them!
                     
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