Page 3 | AIBU to insist we restore the gardener's fortnightly visits?

JanefromSpain · 2026-06-24T21:31:13+00:00

Am I being unreasonable - last month my husband reduced how often the gardener comes from once per fortnight to once per month. Now the lawnmower has broken and the garden is getting completely out of control. Is it unreasonable to demand that we get the gardener back once a fortnight?

NotAnotherScarf · 24/06/2026 23:06

Starzinsky · 24/06/2026 22:57

Buy a new lawnmower and mow the lawn. That's what normal people do when theirs breaks.

Not if you can afford a gardener...how did i work for 70+ hours a week for 20 years this time of year

Original poster

JanefromSpain · 24/06/2026 23:05

converseandjeans · 24/06/2026 23:03

YANBU he is being tight. £15/hr is barely minimum wage & by the time the gardener has factored in travel time he’s barely earning anything. We pay our dog walker £12.75/30mins for an easy walk. Is he the one paying? I can’t see why it’s just his decision. What salary does he earn - would he work for £15/hr?

I completely agree. His pay has gone up to £25 per hour but it’s still completely reasonable IMO. Frankly, I don’t know how he can live on that sort of money. I’d pay him more if I could!

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NotAnotherScarf · 24/06/2026 23:04

MrsCarmelaSoprano · 24/06/2026 22:32

Your post doesn't make sense.

Oh it does to professional gardeners. The wife hires you. You do a great job . Or the husband tries to work alongside you....either way his nose is out of joint.

I once had from the wife " we didn't know what you did when we were away" what the 30 yards of hedge cut. The weeds that were growing in the foundations of your house and the apple tree pruning weren't a fucking clue

converseandjeans · 24/06/2026 23:03

YANBU he is being tight. £15/hr is barely minimum wage & by the time the gardener has factored in travel time he’s barely earning anything. We pay our dog walker £12.75/30mins for an easy walk. Is he the one paying? I can’t see why it’s just his decision. What salary does he earn - would he work for £15/hr?

Original poster

JanefromSpain · 24/06/2026 22:58

Starzinsky · 24/06/2026 22:57

Buy a new lawnmower and mow the lawn. That's what normal people do when theirs breaks.

That’s hardly helpful. We know we need to fix the lawnmower!

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Starzinsky · 24/06/2026 22:57

Buy a new lawnmower and mow the lawn. That's what normal people do when theirs breaks.

Original poster

JanefromSpain · 24/06/2026 22:53

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 24/06/2026 22:40

Do you have to demand it? Rather than discuss? Why is it your husband’s sole decision? Why did he reduce it to monthly? Financial pressure or because you disagree with each other about how tightly it needs to be maintained? What’s out of control exactly?

He says it’s too expensive as the Gardeners rate has gone up from £15 per hour to £25 per hour which he says is unreasonable! I’ll tell you what’s unreasonable- a garden that’s gone completely out of control!

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Original poster

JanefromSpain · 24/06/2026 22:52

HeddaGarbled · 24/06/2026 22:40

You’ve muddled up week and fortnight, I think?

The lawnmower breaking is unrelated to how often the gardener comes, isn’t it? You can get that fixed or get a new one without the gardener.

TBH, I think people mow their lawns far too often, so I don’t think once a fortnight is too bad. I like to see the lush green grass dotted with daisies you get when you let it grow a bit.

I muddled it. I meant from once a fortnight to once a week. Honestly this garden is stressing me out!

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Original poster

JanefromSpain · 24/06/2026 22:51

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 24/06/2026 22:35

Er - once a week is more? Did you mean it's gone down to once a month? Get a strimmer? I've been strimming today with quite a heavy duty one, it's quick and brilliant.

Sorry. I meant from once a fortnight to once a month.

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InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 24/06/2026 22:40

Do you have to demand it? Rather than discuss? Why is it your husband’s sole decision? Why did he reduce it to monthly? Financial pressure or because you disagree with each other about how tightly it needs to be maintained? What’s out of control exactly?

HeddaGarbled · 24/06/2026 22:40

You’ve muddled up week and fortnight, I think?

The lawnmower breaking is unrelated to how often the gardener comes, isn’t it? You can get that fixed or get a new one without the gardener.

TBH, I think people mow their lawns far too often, so I don’t think once a fortnight is too bad. I like to see the lush green grass dotted with daisies you get when you let it grow a bit.

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 24/06/2026 22:35

Er - once a week is more? Did you mean it's gone down to once a month? Get a strimmer? I've been strimming today with quite a heavy duty one, it's quick and brilliant.

MrsCarmelaSoprano · 24/06/2026 22:32

Your post doesn't make sense.