Money Moral Dilemma: Should I contribute to my grandfather's new garden?

DizzyBlonde

I'd be very hesitant about doing a 'makeover' of someone else's garden. Chances are he is used to it and quite happy with it as it is.

eve13_2

We did this for my dad. I mean us- not a landscaper. We all chipped in over 2 weekends moved pond to new position and general heavy work to create veg beds and plants/bushes to wherever he wanted.
That was 4 years ago. Sadly he passed away in March but he got so much pleasure from his garden and we made sure we all continued to keep it up for him and now mum. Anyone can throw money but your grandad would much prefer to have you all around to throw love.

SaverSpender

My grandmother was the same, didn't want the financial responsibility of owning a house, preferred to rent. Its a generational thing.
As you aren't doing anything structural, I don't imagine the owner of the property would much care about how much or how little grass there is etc, its up to you, however anything large and permanent may be something you need to ask for permission to do and you may be asked to return things to how they were if he leaves! So don't put in a massive pond or anything, those things need maintenance!
Presumably your family is wanting to remove grass if they/he's are expected to cut it, replace with slabs or something low maintenance, and add some raised beds or high level planters to allow him to potter around without having to get down to ground level.
That would be a nice idea and what do you get someone who, by that age, has everything! Great gift if he enjoys his garden view and likes plants.
If you don't have much money you could always volunteer to get some small plants (they are reasonably priced just now in many places) and pot up into fancy containers (get frost proof ones) for your share of the gift. If the contractor does that he will charge a lot more than you could do it for, so your say £20 contribution (plants, pots, compost) could actually save £60 on the end bill!
Or perhaps there is something else you could do to cut the cost of the bill, like removing all the dead stuff your family want rid of? (don't attempt if you wont see it through though, its hard work and you need to get the roots out)! A tip for weeds in paths etc is salt dissolved in cool water, sprinkle generously over weeds to shrivel them up. Or use boiling water to scald them to death. Don't use either of those ANYWHERE near anything you want to keep though, water runs everywhere and you don't want to accidentally kill off anything you want to keep!

Pollycat

SaverSpender wrote: »

My grandmother was the same, didn't want the financial responsibility of owning a house, preferred to rent. Its a generational thing.

A generational thing?
How old was your grandmother when she died?
Mine was 84 - and that was over 20 years ago. She & her husband owned their home
As did my Mum and Dad, Mum's now 84.
As did her siblings.
And do I and so does my sister.
That's 3 generations

REJP

My sons did a makeover for my garden to make it more low maintenance as I am 81. As I own my own house I made sure that any benches and other items were the sort of furniture that could be used by family when I die.
I would not contribute to hard landscape treatment in the ridiculously expensive Alan Titchmarsh style currently showing on TV, the next tenants might hate it and rip it up.
As for your financial contribution, it depends on how much you would normally spend on a present for your grandfather and your own financial situation. Don't be shamed by other family members who may be more well off to contribute more than you can afford.
On an important point, if any building such as a summer house is being considered, there are certain height restrictions under planning permission guidelines which need checking out with the Local Authority. Phone the area planning officer before building, this applies to all properties, private or Council. There are often height restrictions on fences as well as certain types of conifers used for hedging. Also regulations about paving and concrete pathways which now have to meet strict drainage guidelines.
Hope he gets enjoyment from whatever is done for many years to come.

JimmyTheWig

Are you objecting because he will only see between 6 months and 20 years of benefit from it? If so, what were you planning on buying him that would last longer than that?

Are you objecting because someone else will get the benefit after he does? If so, why does that matter to you? Surely that's an added bonus, rather than a bad thing!

Or are you objecting to pay a share of a bill of thousands - which is probably over £100 each - when you'd normally spend a tenner. In which case I agree with you. If you can afford it, then use the mantras - Will he use it? Is it worth it? Have you checked prices elsewhere?
I'm always happy to spend above the normal present limit if it means getting something that the person would really appreciate. But only if I could afford it.

Pollycat

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Are you objecting because he will only see between 6 months and 20 years of benefit from it? If so, what were you planning on buying him that would last longer than that?

Are you objecting because someone else will get the benefit after he does? If so, why does that matter to you? Surely that's an added bonus, rather than a bad thing!

Or are you objecting to pay a share of a bill of thousands - which is probably over £100 each - when you'd normally spend a tenner. In which case I agree with you. If you can afford it, then use the mantras - Will he use it? Is it worth it? Have you checked prices elsewhere?
I'm always happy to spend above the normal present limit if it means getting something that the person would really appreciate. But only if I could afford it.

It's a MMD.
Nobody will be along to clarify any details or answer any questions.

Lady_Twinkle

What about buying a nice garden seat with maybe an inscription
on it that you can spend time,making memories with him on. That
way should he have to leave his place for any reason that he can't
take it with him,you could put it in your garden and relive them
times?:) xx

bandanaman

I think a 'gift' is a 'gift' - you could make a mistake and buy him something he does not like or use and then what. A professional make over will give him lots of joy when he looks at it or goes in it - and for you when visiting...
I would make sure that the garden is VERY LOW MAINTENANCE - no grass (real) and plants / shrubs that need little pruning / dead heading or regular watering - to allow him to go on that cruise that others might buy...
Making the most of the sunshine and shade and make it like another room of the house with lighting to extend the usage and moods - even a 'barbie' for the whipper snappers' and 'ankle biters'..........

Red-Squirrel_2

Lady_Twinkle wrote: »

What about buying a nice garden seat with maybe an inscription
on it that you can spend time,making memories with him on. That
way should he have to leave his place for any reason that he can't
take it with him,you could put it in your garden and relive them
times?:) xx

A memorial bench might not be in the best taste if he isn't dead yet!