Overgrown nightmare

Posts

• B3 Posts: 27,505

  March 2022

  Could you manage just a small area near the house?

  In London. Keen but lazy.

  0
• Fran IOM Posts: 2,872

  March 2022

  So sorry to hear you have been ill @elliedaisy and hope you are now fully recovered.
  I would suggest you start with a little bit at a time and don't think of the garden as a whole or you will just make yourself feel miserable and not recover the heart to start again. Not knowing how long you have been ill, most of us on the forum haven't been able to do anything for some months just waiting for Spring. I have a lot to do on my own garden but refuse to let it get me down. I am sure once you start (when the warmer weather returns) you will get back the heart to carry on. I don't think it matters how old you are as long as you are fit enough to garden believe me. 
  Good luck.
  There will be other members on the forum who will give you good advice. 

  2
• AnniD Posts: 12,585

  March 2022

  If you're able to, a couple of photos would help.
  My advice would be to start near to the house, so that when you step outside the back door a. It looks better and b. You're not disheartened every time you step outside. As @Fran IOM says, a bit at a time is the way to go   
  What sort of plants do you have?  Shrubs? Perennials ?
  
  I take it you have no one who could give you a hand ? If there are younger family members or friends that you could rope in to help, explain to them what needs doing, keep an eye on them and supply tea and biscuits,  even if they are not gardeners as such, it would at least clear the decks.
  

  0
• Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

  March 2022

  The longest journey starts with a single step.
  Something I bear in mind when a task seems overwhelming.
  Some years ago my garden was in a state and I didn't know where to start.
  I started working on a border just outside the back door and cleared just a little each day the weather was ok. It didn't take long before I could see a difference, and once you start to see a difference it will give you encouragement to do more.
  Set your task just to clear a small patch then reward yourself when you have cleared it. Then choose another patch to work on.
  Being outside pottering in the garden is good and will help in your recovery and rebuild your strength - little by little
  Good luck and best wishes
  x
  
  

  
  Billericay - Essex
  
  Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
  Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

  3
• Balgay.Hill Posts: 1,089

  March 2022

  It's very difficult to give up a place you love, but maybe time for a change?
  We helped a relative to 'down size' from a large 4 bedroom house with a big garden to a small bungalow with a garden he could manage.
  He is much happier now he doesn't feel overwhelmed by his garden, but it wasn't easy for him to give up his old family home.

  Sunny Dundee

  0
• TheGreenMan Posts: 1,957

  March 2022

  Where do you live (just approximately) @elliedaisy ? There may be someone on here who is nearby and who can offer assistance.

  
  

  Or perhaps you might look on local message boards (Local Facebook pages etc) as there may be good-hearted locals looking to help.
  

  0
• Buttercupdays Posts: 4,546

  March 2022

  I know how you feel. I got Covid early in January,  lost weeks collapsed on the sofa barely able to lift a cup of tea and so breathless I had to talk one word at a time. I didn't begin to resurface until well into February. My first days 'gardening' was 15 minutes, very slowly tidying round some of my snowdrops, which were in full flower by then. Tired out at the end, but they looked so much better without all the old dead stuff that it cheered me up and being in the fresh air helped too.
  

  The next day I managed half an hour and got a little bit more done. The time after that I went out to do an hour but the sun was shining and I got involved and found I'd done 2!
  

  After that there was no looking back. My garden is too big for me at the best of times , so I use a light touch and let the wild flora and fauna have free rein in most of it. Mowing a path through the long grass is an easy way to make the wilderness look intentional"
  

  I was getting stronger every day but I tried  at first to make priorities of the things that helped to cheer me up and encourage me and there was nearly always a new sign of spring when I walked round the garden.
  

  If you loved your garden before, there will still be many of your favourites buried among the weeds and undergrowth. Start clearing slowly and carefully until you can see what you are doing and where you are, so you don't damage something you want. I did this, starting with mat, trowel and scissors to cut back long grass and old stems and found things I had forgotten about or assumed were dead, still pluckily carrying on

  I made myself a rule to try to do some 'gardening' everyday, but it need not be much - it's the commitment that counts and you will soon be able to see things you have done and find yourself wanting to do more. Just take it gently and listen to your body when it says 'enough'!
  

  6