I can't manage my garden any more & I can't afford a gardener. It's out of control, what can I do?

[FarmerBrian]

I shall nc after this. I have mental health issues which mean I just can't engage with my back garden for the time being any more. The edges are getting very overgrown (think about 12ft high). If I could I'd sell it but I know that'd be bad for the house. It's 36ft square. I can't afford any paid help at all. There's no side access either. I have no family & live alone. Has anyone got any bright ideas how I can manage this situation until I feel well enough to take on the continuous maintenance that's needed..

Can you post on your local Facebook page that you need some help with it? I know people have done that in my area and had lots of offers to help for free.

Contact your local council, you may qualify for help.

Put it on local Facebook and offer it as a veg growing space. There's a queue for allotments and someone could pay you in veg with the bonus of a tidy garden.

That's an idea thanks. I don't have Facebook because they insisted I upload my passport to get an account & I refused but I could probably find someone to do that.

Contact your local area's volunteer group. They will be able to put out an enquiry amongst their volunteers to find someone.

Try not to be disheartened, people will help if they can.

Have a look for a charity that helps with gardening. There are a lot about. You can Google .... gardening charities near me.
If not, your council might advise, or citizens advice bureau. Hope you get help x

Have you got any local colleges that might do a horticulture type course? Offer it up for students to practice on?

Maybe a local Scout/Guide group could help?

Ask at a local church?

A teenager could maybe take it in a Duke of Edinburgh scheme volunteering?

Try nextdoor.com if you don't want to use Facebook. It will find your neighbours for you.

What do your neighbours do in their gardens? If I had a neighbour with really overgrown hedges, I'd be happy to help them out (if it's what they wanted, not in an overbearing way!).

You could start by saying to them that you know they're overgrown but you aren't well enough to tackle it. Feel free to do what you want with them.

Just be mindful that it's bird nesting season and really, hedges shouldn't be cut atm.

@FarmerBrian

That's an idea thanks. I don't have Facebook because they insisted I upload my passport to get an account & I refused but I could probably find someone to do that.

Facebook does not do this. Try these people for practical help managing your garden and social media. www.rethink.org/aboutus/what-we-do/our-services-and-groups/

If your mental health is bad are you entitled to personal independence payments?
I have physical disability which means I can't garden/clean and use my pip to pay for gardener/cleaner.
Also some charaties will help - to reduce the chance of break ins etc.
Someone might want to take it on a bit like an allotment.

@borntobequiet

Facebook do ask for ID to be uploaded sometimes.

Where are you located op?

Facebook does not do this

It certainly does. It did it to me.

I would advertise it as a pp said for someone garden less who wants a veg patch. Or a couple of people if you've a big garden. Best of both worlds you get a lovely tidy garden and someone gets some space to grow some stuff.

Oh sorry. But a passport? Really?

@borntobequiet

Oh sorry. But a passport? Really?

Yes, really.

is there a neighbourhood association?
I know some where they organise informal voluntering for things like that or could get you in contact with council volunteers.

I have a friend whose garden is like this due to mental health, and we are all worried about her and would help but her pride wouldn’t allow us in to do it, which is very sad, as our group would happily go in and spend a day and get it sorted, and not judge.

If you’ve no friends or family who can do it, then asking for help locally would be a good place to start, you’d be surprised at how many people would come and help you for free. And you can hide out and not interact if you wish whilst they do it.

It's hard to reach out when you feel vulnerable but you've given me some good ideas, thank you!

What another the website “neighbourhood”

Is there a local Horticultural society or Allotment Association who may have members with time, perhaps in return for cuttings or plants?

Passports? Bloody hell. Do they ask for the deeds to your house too? Zuckerberg owns the world and everything in it apparently.

Letting someone use it as a veg patch/allotment isn't really viable because the garden doesn't have side access, so they would need to go through the house.

And in peak growing season that would be several times a week, even daily for watering. And they would need access to water - is the OP on a water meter?

I would go the one-off volunteer tidy-up route.

I know it seems unbelievable when it’s something you can’t bear to do yourself, but some people absolutely love gardening and would enjoy the challenge, and want to help out too. Definitely reach out to some local charities / volunteer organisations and see if someone fancies a big project.