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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is gardening outdated

279 replies

BulbsAndLampsDiffer · 28/06/2025 07:23

I live on an estate, on my road I am generally surrounded by couples/ single mums in their 30s and 40s. I am single mum try to maintain my garden both front and rear, paining fences, mowing the lawn and general weeding, so very cheap and easy. However when looking around I feel like the only one to be doing do with lots of weeds on driveways and un mown front gardens. I know it’s not a priority in modern busy life.
For convex some one said to me years ago it is impossible to have a tidy home, tidy child and tidy mum. And I do let myself slip in order to keep my home and child looking put together.
No judgment just curious if where I live is the norm.
YABU too busy to pull up weeds
YANBU pride in your garden

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MoistVonL · 28/06/2025 07:35

There’s been a movement towards more ‘relaxed’ gardening over the past 20 years as we’ve become more aware of the importance of biodiversity, so certainly weeding is not as much of a priority for many people.

You only have to look at the Chelsea Gardens of recent years versus 2005 to see how styles and attitudes have shifted.

I’d say gardening isn’t old fashioned but styles of gardening and the focuses have changed.

DedododoDedadada · 28/06/2025 07:34

It's not outdated but modern life is too busy.

AlloaintheMiddle · 28/06/2025 07:28

I would say it’s a personal preference.
I love cooking, crafting, decorating my house but I’m terrible at gardening!
I can’t seem to keep any plants alive and honestly, I don’t have much time nor interest to learn. May be when I’m retired….

(That said I try to keep the outdoors tidy and clean enough)

WildCherryBlossom · 28/06/2025 07:25

I love my garden and I love gardening but it is a lot of work.