From Jungle to Garden - A (very slow) work in progress!!

NualaBuala

Hi Jo,

I just wanted to wish you good luck with your garden - you're doing brilliantly!:T

I've subscribed to your thread cos I'm in a similar situation except my garden is much much worse! But I'll post for advice on that in another thread, I don't want to hijack yours. You've inspired me to tackle it myself rather than wait till I can afford to pay somebody (which could be never).

I'll continue to read with interest - keep up the good work!

jo1972

Thanks NualaBuala, although my leg has seized up today so I'm not sure if this gardening lark's good for me

I look forward to seeing your thread, maybe we could start a mutual support group :rotfl:

Pippilongstocking

Jo - excellent gloves

Lotus-eater

fayjmck wrote: »

Jo - excellent gloves

Not much good for brambles though You want the very heavy duty leather ones for those.

Jo, it certainly is good for you, no gym membership needed for most gardeners! Remember what I said and take it slow, don't do too much at one time, never try to rush it. Also change activities often, don't just dig solidly for an hour, do 10 minutes, then do something else for another 10 minutes.

If only I could remember to take my own advice more often :rolleyes:

jo1972

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Not much good for brambles though

Couldn't agree more, B&Q had about 20 different types of gloves, the thorn resistant ones that I wanted they only had in mens and fell off, these were the thickest pair I could find, then I had trouble deciding between the pink butterflies, the green flowers or the black and white art deco ones

Pippilongstocking

Sorry Lotus eater I just meant they looked pretty - no offence - just being a bit ooooh and girlie

Jo- I'd just shove a pair of thick marigolds under them or a pair of proper gloves thats what I do cos I have small hands too

- you'll be fine you'll just have hands like scar face in no time.

I had an old mouse mat i use to use - don't laugh - i folded it over and clapsed it over the nasty bramle then cut bramble , repeat repeat repeat.

works a treat - so do oven gloves if you get desperate cos they are nice and padded - obviously only use them on one hand - the clasping hand - NOT the secatuers hand - and NOT a pair you want to really keep for best. You look ridiculus but it does work

Prob with small hands is finding gloves can be useless. I have got one decent 'proper' pair industrial strength leather dont mess with me gloves that fit me but they cost a fortune and I haven't seen that brand again.

Good luck

Hope they taste good btw

Kaz2904

They look like the rigger gloves that I nearly picked up in our B&Q. They were reduced to a higher price than the full price ones! (I got leopard print) They seem pretty strong leather but they really are huge. Well done on what you've cleared so far- it'll be great once your done!

jo1972

Thanks Kaz,

So long as the rain holds off I shall be out there again today cutting some more down and bagging up, haven't had a chance to do much during the week, been trying to get over the cough that I've had, seems to be on it's way out now though, just gotta watch I don't make my legs seize up again!!

Pippilongstocking

Go jo go ............................woo hoo keep it up lovey xx

amberjet_2

I just started a gardening buisness ... doing lots of clearance so i can sympathise with the aching.

Changing jobs is helpful (i usually have a long walk with the weeds bucket) but stretching when your done is really inportant. gardening is hard work and just like any other excersise you should do warm up and cool down stretches.

When the buisness does a big clearance we have a shredder so all the waste can be composted. i don't know if its practical but hiring one might take some of the disposal out of it. OH is likly to enjoy an oportunity to play with a noisy machine like that but its not safe to have kids in garden with it.

If you can find a libary book on forest gardens or permaculture take the time to read it ... hubby might find it intresting to. My own garden in my last place ended up with fruit trees at the edges and perenianls in the edging beds (alpine strawberries under bushes) and a big raised annual bed. Found it important to grow something on the ground all year round to keep it healthy ad weed free. My choice was alfafa.

Veg is rewarding, especially beans and peas. but fruit bushes and the like are much more fun, read up so as you know how to prune them and they'll thrive. Just let the kids pick gooseberry ect they get less scratches with little hands though you won't see the fruit.

Good luck and enjoy:T