Don't hesitate to ask the lady at your church Trudi. You may find she knows someone else to help and if the other members of the congregation find out she's helping it may spur them to help too and take it in turns. Sometimes people don't want to be too pushy and intrude but all the same would love to help. Your garden looks very pretty.
I agree, I think ive said this on another thread but you may have a neighbour who would love to grow vegetables but doesnt have the space or someone who is waiting for an allotment. They might be keen to use some of your garden as a vegetable plot and in return provide you with some fresh produce. Perhaps you could advertise in the local paper or put a notice up in the local DIY shop or gardening centre. Hope your treatment goes well and that you are soon able to enjoy gardening again.
Trudi, there is help out there, the problem is a lot of us don't like asking. If we don't ask the answers are harder to find. Your garden looks lovely and loved. I am sure you will attract genuine help. I had to have help in the garden and I contacted a card in the board at my local B & Q. Good luck, wish I was nearer and I would come!
Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” A A Milne
Hi Trudi, I'm not very good with ideas sorry and nowhere near as experienced as the others that have already posted.
I really just wanted to add my best wishes for a speedy (and full) recovery, starting with your hands and the numbness, I hope it goes soon. It must be heartbreaking for you, I sprained my ankle and even 3 weeks of not being able to garden has driven me mad and made me feel down so I can't even begin to imagine how you must be feeling. I've just shown OH this thread and he said if we lived nearer he would come and help, that's coming from someone who doesn't do gardening apart from the lawns.
I'm sure if you asked about someone would be willing to help you.
in the meantime, I think your garden is beautiful and so is your rabbit
All the very best and hugs (you'll get lots of hugs on here!!) xx
Trudi. Sounds like you are quite down, and no wonder. Just remember there will be many people wanting to help you, and by allowing them to do so, you will be helping them. We all know how great it is to be asked to do something when someone is needing it. Just don't get stressed and exhausted over it all. Plants and gardens are resilient, they can wait! Love to you.
Sorry to hear about your health. I hope your situation improves and you can get back to it.
I don't have cancer but i have serious illness and know how devastating it can be. The first thing I will say is that you should appeal if you have been denied benefits. The system is designed to reject everyone initially and they know that those who are too sick can't fight it. They bang on about benefit cheats, but they are much harder to weed out so they go for the easy target instead - those who are actually sick and in need of the benefits. But the majority of those who go to a tribunal win it, because they are really sick. It is cruel of our government to do this to us, but if you can, do appeal, and don't worry about it, the tribunal where you actually see real people face to face are much more just.
Regarding the garden, mine went almost entirely to pot when I first got sick, but I have gradually been able to get back on top of some of it. So the good news to start with is that, if it goes downhill, it can be recovered at a later date, when hopefully you will be better after your treatment. Not all is lost. You will be surprised to see a plant still there hanging on that you were sure would be long gone.
I would suggest you make thing lower maintenance. Weeding takes lots of energy so if you can plant shrubs that look after themselves well and fill up the space leaving less for weeds.
I covered my beds in weed control fabric then stones. I got help for this because it was too hard for me, but don't feel bad asking for help, especially when it is making changes so that you dont need to ask for help next time. It was well worth it, I basically have zero weeding to do on my flower beds now. It also helps retain moisture in the ground, so less watering needed.
Chose things that look after themselves and come up on their own each year, rather than annuals which you need to sow each year and deal with each time. This makes a big difference.
It is a gradual process, and can be theraputic when you are going through such a hard time. Don't worry if it is not perfect, you will get there in the end. I am about three years into my project to make my garden lower maintenance. It will take me another year or two before things are how I want them.
Posts
Don't hesitate to ask the lady at your church Trudi. You may find she knows someone else to help and if the other members of the congregation find out she's helping it may spur them to help too and take it in turns. Sometimes people don't want to be too pushy and intrude but all the same would love to help. Your garden looks very pretty.
more pics
For every person that can no longer manage their garden there'll be someone who would love a garden to manage. Matching them up is the problem.
In the sticks near Peterborough
I agree, I think ive said this on another thread but you may have a neighbour who would love to grow vegetables but doesnt have the space or someone who is waiting for an allotment. They might be keen to use some of your garden as a vegetable plot and in return provide you with some fresh produce. Perhaps you could advertise in the local paper or put a notice up in the local DIY shop or gardening centre. Hope your treatment goes well and that you are soon able to enjoy gardening again.
Trudi, there is help out there, the problem is a lot of us don't like asking. If we don't ask the answers are harder to find. Your garden looks lovely and loved. I am sure you will attract genuine help. I had to have help in the garden and I contacted a card in the board at my local B & Q. Good luck, wish I was nearer and I would come!
A A Milne
Hi Trudi, I'm not very good with ideas sorry and nowhere near as experienced as the others that have already posted.
I really just wanted to add my best wishes for a speedy (and full) recovery, starting with your hands and the numbness, I hope it goes soon. It must be heartbreaking for you, I sprained my ankle and even 3 weeks of not being able to garden has driven me mad and made me feel down so I can't even begin to imagine how you must be feeling. I've just shown OH this thread and he said if we lived nearer he would come and help, that's coming from someone who doesn't do gardening apart from the lawns.
I'm sure if you asked about someone would be willing to help you.
in the meantime, I think your garden is beautiful and so is your rabbit
All the very best and hugs (you'll get lots of hugs on here!!) xx
How are you? Keep your chin up, things will get better x
Trudi. Sounds like you are quite down, and no wonder. Just remember there will be many people wanting to help you, and by allowing them to do so, you will be helping them. We all know how great it is to be asked to do something when someone is needing it. Just don't get stressed and exhausted over it all. Plants and gardens are resilient, they can wait! Love to you.
Hi Trudi,
Sorry to hear about your health. I hope your situation improves and you can get back to it.
I don't have cancer but i have serious illness and know how devastating it can be. The first thing I will say is that you should appeal if you have been denied benefits. The system is designed to reject everyone initially and they know that those who are too sick can't fight it. They bang on about benefit cheats, but they are much harder to weed out so they go for the easy target instead - those who are actually sick and in need of the benefits. But the majority of those who go to a tribunal win it, because they are really sick. It is cruel of our government to do this to us, but if you can, do appeal, and don't worry about it, the tribunal where you actually see real people face to face are much more just.
Regarding the garden, mine went almost entirely to pot when I first got sick, but I have gradually been able to get back on top of some of it. So the good news to start with is that, if it goes downhill, it can be recovered at a later date, when hopefully you will be better after your treatment. Not all is lost. You will be surprised to see a plant still there hanging on that you were sure would be long gone.
I would suggest you make thing lower maintenance. Weeding takes lots of energy so if you can plant shrubs that look after themselves well and fill up the space leaving less for weeds.
I covered my beds in weed control fabric then stones. I got help for this because it was too hard for me, but don't feel bad asking for help, especially when it is making changes so that you dont need to ask for help next time. It was well worth it, I basically have zero weeding to do on my flower beds now. It also helps retain moisture in the ground, so less watering needed.
Chose things that look after themselves and come up on their own each year, rather than annuals which you need to sow each year and deal with each time. This makes a big difference.
It is a gradual process, and can be theraputic when you are going through such a hard time. Don't worry if it is not perfect, you will get there in the end. I am about three years into my project to make my garden lower maintenance. It will take me another year or two before things are how I want them.
Wishing you the best.