To get our garden done at this time?

[ItsMsActually]

Name changed for this as I'm absolutely prepared to be flamed here. Ironically I've been scoffing at all the ridiculous questions people have been asking throughout this time, and here I am doing the same...

Anyway, would it be completely unreasonable to consider getting our garden sorted during this time? We only just managed to move into our new house in the nick of time before the virus hit. Our garden is not in a fit state to spend any time in, and we have a toddler so it needs to be overhauled to be in a safe state for her to be in. Currently a lot of broken paving stones, dilapidated garage etc. We have a back gate leading directly into the garden so we could ensure that noone come through the house. We wouldn't have to have contact with a landscape gardener at all, other than can chat through the window.
Is this completely selfish and ridiculous? Surely if there are still businesses operating doing this sort of work then they have been allowed to do so?
The thought of being stuck in a house for potentially months longer over the summer without being able to let my daughter play outside seems unbearable.
And I know there are people much worse off who don't have gardens either. But I don't see what risk it could actually pose if they have permission to work and they have absolutely no contact with us?
Right, I'm ready to feel your wrath...

A gardener can go to work if they are able to social distance. I guess it may depend if you can get the supplies you need.

Our gardener is still coming. It's actually encouraged (or in Scotland anyway):

1. What about gardeners or window cleaners?

People working alone, providing community services such as gardeners or window cleaners can continue to work. "If they can go about their business safely this can be good for the community and we would encourage them to do so," said Ms Sturgeon.

I have been considering this, also just moved in and have side access to the garden - and bizarrely an outside loo so no need for the gardener to be in the house st all! What's putting me off is the tips are all closed so all the waste would have to just stay in a pile in the garden until they open again.

Our gardener was ment to start the week the virus hit, he was ill so couldn’t come and then couldn’t source the materials he needed. To say I’m gutted is an understatement. We moved here last summer, we were so busy, we never sat it in anyway, had a lot going on getting the house sorted and family illness, was so looking forward to getting it done early this year to enjoy it. I’m thinking about sourcing another company now surely somebody is working we’re in the North East.

Well in regard to economy it's an idea, theoretically it's giving someone an income (theoretically because overall it wouldn't amount to a great income, being one off).

Logistically it's probably selfish, were will the gardener you hire be able to go to the toilet if you feel it's ok to hire them because there will be absolutely no contact. (I know there's the odd brigade on MN that think no one can use their toilet even when working in the house anyway, but still a normal decent human doesn't deprive another of the use). You're also putting someone on the road of something possibly non-essential (those travelling for work need to prove it, don't they?).

Of course it's a possibility that you could clear up anything that might cause danger yourself. Make the garden useable, if not great looking.

We also moved into our new home few days before lockdown. We have a local free surgeon doing some work for us next Thursday. We need the work doing and I'm glad to be supporting his business. The work is in our front garden so he won't need to come into the house.
If it doesn't pose a risk to you if then then why not.

*tree surgeon

*doesn't pose a risk to you or them

I think this is ok if you definitely don’t need close contact and they can take the rubbish away and I would want to clean gate handles etc or not go out there for some time after the people doing the work have left to make sure any virus has gone.

There has been building work going on to a house on our road this week, just outside work.

I said to hold off to our gardener as the children are always outside and he would be here for a good few hours and it was very sunny when he was going to come.

I have been wondering whether to re think him coming now though.

Yes- my local facebook pace has lots of local tradesmen advertising contactless outdoor work- gardening, window cleaning, gutter cleaning etc.
I think it is a good time to support local small businesses.
Our deck is in need of replacement, I had considered using this time to get it done- the back garden has separate access, so no need for human contact, but when I started doing some research found that there were huge problems with supply for timber and other materials.

So if it is just a case of getting the garden tidy then I would say go for it.

Our gardener said he's never been so busy!

I would IF

• he's local
• he can legally dispose of the rubbish (he could here as there's a garden/building waste place still (legally) Open

-he can get supplies locally

• he's happy to pee in the garden or go home etc.

I'd be happy with 'useable', wouldn't be looking for 'ideal' for now- if it meant fewer trips/fewer shopping trips.

We were due to get our fences done and AstroTurf laid the week of lockdown. It's not that they can't work, it's that they can't get the supplies 🤷🏼‍♀️

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

My husband is a fencer and has never been so busy. The restrictions suits him as he's a miserable bugger who likes to be left alone. The suppliers all shut weeks ago but are starting to reopen on skeleton staff with safety restrictions in place. I'm sure before long they will all be open in some form or other - this is in the south east but sure the rest of the country will be similar

A neighbour is a builder who normally works on larger projects but is very busy at the moment doing smaller, local outdoor jobs by himself doing landscaping etc. Glad to see him being busy .

We've had a skip for the last few weeks - it's going on tuesday. We had already planned a big garden (and house) tidy up in January, so not a last minute decision. There was no problem in getting one delivered/collected.
Would this be a possibility OP?

Gardeners are still working. As long as they are in the garden alone it's fine.
I've got one coming over to dig up some shrubs next week in the back garden. I'm leaving the front garden until after the pandemic as there are too many people going up and down the road to be safe.

It's fine as long as they can dispose of any waste and you don't decide to have a bonfire.

I’d say that’s reasonable - they are still working so be good to support their business. People can travel for work, and DIY shops still open (I think?)

Dh is a builder on commercial builds. Been off a few weeks but back on Tuesday. As long as you can maintain socially distancing I would have it done.

We did this! It worked really well and social distancing was perfectly possible.

I was going to say get a skip for the waste too! We've had one which has meant we can get rid of garden waste.

We’re getting work done, some fencing: I’m happy to keep somebody going. You don’t know if work is drying up for him and it’s only work in my garden.

Also yes to the skip... ordered one as soon as lockdown became a possibility!! Now full!!

Excellent, thanks everyone. I'm going to go ahead and make some enquiries today!