For the first time in our lives, we hired someone to help us in our garden. We’ve always prided ourselves on being able to plant, build, grow and fix everything on our own. But for the past few months (or longer) life has taken us away from the garden, and our Saturdays of weeding and pruning were eclipsed by weddings, babysitting, guests, and business trips. Not to mention exhaustion. Life. To tell you the truth, I was about to give up on a good part of the garden. I was questioning my ability to maintain it, and I was questioning my sanity, and that made me really sad.
Enter Gregory. He was recommended by a friend of a friend. A local man, we didn’t know anything about him, other than that he was highly regarded because he has a good work ethic. It turns out that Gregory studied agriculture for a couple of years and has spent the past 30 years working the local plantations, farms and gardens. He gave me sage advice on a few problems we had with insects and general lack of thriving. He’s not an organic gardener, but he has local knowledge. I respect what he knows, and he respected my thoughts as we walked through the garden. In no time, he had my gardens weeded and spread with compost, my fruit trees pruned (correctly!), and a couple of acres of shrubs coaxed back into civility. God bless Gregory.
I didn’t do it all myself, and I am not ashamed to say so. The garden is gorgeously naked and ready for me to plant fall crops. I sent Gregory home with winter squash and homemade fig jam, and enough money to make his bills this week. The garden beds are ready for me to plant, and my soul is restored.
Wow, that happened to me after a slew of hurricanes. I had to hire a crew of 4 to work all day, and they did the best to their capabilities. I was concerned when they hacked some trees that had fallen down and staked them,but luckily after a few years they came back fine.
A few acres, wow, I have trouble keeping up with my postage stamp Fort Lauderdale garden.
I decided in order to keep my sanity I will not aspire to have the perfect garden. Nice post Carolyn.
Hi Rob – I saw the pictures of your garden after the storm–how upsetting that must have been. I’m glad it all worked out and that you had some help to get it cleaned back up.
It’s so hard admitting one needs help! Like you, other events have gotten in the way of my garden work. I had knee replacement a couple of months ago and am only now able to work for short periods of time. Before that, my knee had kept me from spending much time doing those necessary chores, so everything has gotten quite out of hand! Last night, I received a call from a young man, who works for a friend in her garden. She has given me four hours of his time to help with mine! It won’t complete the chores but will go a long way!
And doesn’t it look so fine when all is ready for the fall and winter to come!
What a wonderful gift! I hope you are out and about, enjoying your garden, Cyndia.
That’s a lot of garden to manage! You’re wise to delegate. Please send Gregory here, as I could use some help myself.
Yes, Helen. Every now and then, you need a little help. And that is okay.
You garden looks beautiful and you still have energy for family, planting and cooking. Perfect!
Teresa, I am energized by seeing progress! I am so grateful for the help and am looking forward to planting our fall crops soon.
My parents didn’t garden at all this year. Health isues. They gave away most of the seeds I gave them. I was disappointed until I saw the yield from the farmer they gave the seeds to. They will be eating well this winter. Farming and gardening is a community activity. (The farmer was laid off from factory work and had no money for seed.) Everybody benefits.
Jeavonna, I hope you parents are feeling better! Gardening is truly a community activity. I’m so glad it worked out for all.