My big — my only — garden project this year centers on reducing maintenance in the garden. I want to be able to garden as long as possible, but aging is starting to affect my energy and strength.
It's time to re-think and re-design some areas of the garden. But exactly how and what to do are difficult to determine when you read what the experts say about garden maintenance.
"Design is crucial, but it is maintenance
that makes a garden legendary."
– The Devoted Classicist blog
. . .
"A Border needs fine tuning for close viewing."
— Noel Kingsbury
. . .
"Take on only what you can maintain at the highest level and make it gorgeous and keep it that way."
— Lynden Miller
. . .
I sympathize! With the development of a ganglion cyst in my wrist from the repetitive stress of pruning and and worsening arthritis, I've been thinking a lot more about how I'm going to reduce my maintenance challenges in future years. Some things, like the Mexican feather grass I maintain by combing it with my fingers, may have to go one day.
Posted by: Kris P | Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 12:44 PM
I have been looking at my garden this way for the past several years. It is that age thing. It doesn't go away, it doesn't get better, it just is. At this point I am glad my DB fussed at me many years ago to 'only create what I can care for'. Your garden still looks so grand and I know it takes a lot of effort to keep it that way. Best of luck with your, as they say today, downsizing.
Posted by: Lisa at Greenbow | Friday, February 14, 2020 at 08:12 AM
The experts left out the one about hiring strong young people who's work you trust. It's a win/win. You're providing employment, a beautiful setting for learning how to garden, and getting to enjoy the end result. Oh ya...how to find those people, that's the problem...
Posted by: Loree / danger garden | Friday, February 14, 2020 at 10:20 AM
It is a problem to find people that will work with you. I have a 90 year old friend that would gladly and does gladly pay for help in the garden. The youngsters don't last or won't actually work. The ones that do go on to better paying jobs or outgrow the urge to work in the garden. Older professionals don't want to listen to what you want. They want to get in there slash and dash.
Posted by: Lisa at Greenbow | Friday, February 14, 2020 at 10:50 AM
Good post! I think about this often, too. The back part of our wooded lot is "natural." I don't garden back there, but there's still some maintenance in eradicating invasives, like garlic mustard and creeping bellflower. We also need to thin out some of the boxelder trees to benefit the oaks and open up the forest floor for more ephemerals. So, even when we cut back on "gardening," there's still some maintenance. I need to keep this in mind when we finally have time to prepare our home and lot for sale and move to a new property. Good post!
Posted by: Beth @ PlantPostings | Friday, February 14, 2020 at 11:27 AM