Unfortunately, in March, our first meeting back at the hall after the Christmas break, our booked speaker gave us only a few hours’ notice that he was unwell and unable to attend. It was too short notice for us to be able to find a replacement. However, because of our Membership with Tendershoots Garden Club Network we were able to use one of their recorded talks. We picked a talk, on the topic ‘ New Tips and advice for Old Gardeners’.
The talk was very humorous as well as giving lots of helpful tips that we can use as we get older and can’t manage as much as we used to.
Just as we have more time for our gardens, we are starting to fall to bits (something many of us can relate to). We are looking to make our gardens ‘Easy Maintenance’. The landscapers will happily put in lots of hard landscaping as they can charge us more than creating gardens. But we saw lots of pictures which we agreed were generally boring.
You could create a woodland. This will provide spring colour and lots of greenery requiring some yearly maintenance for any trees but otherwise generally looks after itself. Or consider plants which are easy to care for. Hardy Agapanthus flower for a long time and come back each year without spreading (this can depend on your soil). Phlomis are easy to control, produce flowers followed by interesting seed heads. Diascia Personata – cut it down after it flowers and it will reflower. Then there are things to avoid, eg. Wisteria is beautiful but requires extensive pruning and the pruning can take longer than it flowers. It will require professional care.
We also heard about taking care of your health, particularly our backs. Standing up straight and hoeing or sweeping sideways rather than bending forward. Leaning forward leaving your back leg straight and bending your other knee so your back remains straight. Using long handled tools to avoid bending. Many of us were interested in a long handled narrow trowel that the speaker said was one of her favorites. Use the no-dig method. It is very fashionable; is good for your soil structure; and requires less work. Only dig where you need to put in a new plant etc. Mulch the soil instead.
Consider employing teenagers, although not your own as they will be surly. If you know someone else’s teenagers they may be able to be bribed to do the work. Although note, they will need supervising.
