To go to a local garden centre?

[Thetimehascomethewalrussaid]

I feel like I might get flamed for this. I'm on maternity leave and obviously we're in full lockdown. Where I live is also currently in the throes of Storm Christoph and the rain outside is literally like the wrath of god - so no chance of a walk. My baby is teething and really grumpy and I'm going out of my mind being stuck in the same four walls all day every day. All baby classes have been cancelled, can't even go somewhere for a quick coffee to break up the day. My husband is at work (he's a teacher and over half of the school are in because the government have massively expanded the list of what constitutes a 'key worker' - so it's not really a lockdown, but that's another thread!) We have a support bubble because we have a child under 1 but they're also at work in the week (also teachers). Our local garden centre (2 min drive away) is open - would I be unreasonable to pack the baby in the car and go and have a look round there for an hour? Just to break up the day and regain a bit of sanity? Not an essential journey, but arguably important for mental health! My husband now has weekly COVID tests - he had one yesterday and it was negative so it's highly unlikely we have it! Feel like I'm going mad!

[PawPawNoodle]

@VinylDetective

Yes, there would be if someone was proposing to just go and wander round it aimlessly.

OK so she buys something. Not that it makes any difference, it’s the being there at all that’s the issue. I see the dementors are out in force this morning.

Purchasing a wind chime or whatever at least makes her selfish, pointless trip economically beneficial even if it's in flagrant disregard for the whole 'stay at home unless your trip is essential' thing.

I've no idea what you mean about dementors as I am not an 11 year old child, I am however someone that is keen to get through lockdown as quickly as possible. If that means OP doesn't get to mooch around Dobbies because she's bored indoors then that's just tough shit really.

[DareIask]

Vinyldetective

Exactly the same principle. Going out for selfish unnecessary reasons

Only idiots do it or encourage it

[alienbeings]

What essential item are you going to buy in a garden centre ?

[thebabessavedme]

I'm not going to argue the rights and wrongs of going to a garden centre, but I would point out that its an 'extra' place that you could contract the virus, you have a small baby to care for, should you become and not be able to care for the baby how would you manage? Think a bit longer term than how you feel right now.

And yes, I get that being stuck inside with a baby can feel neverendingly, grindingly boring.

[Seriouslymole]

2 bits of advice

1. do whatever you need to make it through this in one piece (within the rules -as this would be). Go and walk round the garden centre, wear a mask, keep your distance.

1. do not ever post on MN asking whether you should set foot out the door - it is full of complete lockdown lunatics. Most people in real life are slightly more measured.

[HeyMister]

Yes go. Your mental health matters!

[Sparklingbrook]

it is full of complete lockdown lunatics

Rude.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

@Dita73

Why are garden centres open? You never need an emergency hydrangea. Weird

They sell other things. Ours has a large pet food section which is essential

[McCorona]

@GirlCrush

They are open?? Yes for ESSENTIALS!!

Staff won’t want you in otherwise

What essential items does a garden centre sell? Especially at this time of year. I can't think of anything that's essential.

[SchrodingersImmigrant]

do not ever post on MN asking whether you should set foot out the door - it is full of complete lockdown lunatics. Most people in real life are slightly more measured.

that's bullshit and you know it. It's people who think they can stroll around a shop instead of a walk who always start at others "They just don't want us to go out at all!"
No🙄 People just want people to use their brains and realise that a shop isn't a funfair to go to for a day out. That's what outside is for. And if weather is shit, we all have to wait🤷🏻 People need to stop being so special...

[GirlCrush]

@HeyMister

What about mental health of the staff?? Don’t they matter?

[SlopesOff]

@Dita73

Why are garden centres open? You never need an emergency hydrangea. Weird

People grow their own produce, garden centres sell the plants, seeds and compost etc. to enable them to do this.

Ours also sell fresh produce and eggs and they are kept outside so safer than a supermarket.

I love a wander round the garden centre but I would be going just to browse though, only for pet stuff or the things I mentioned above. A garden centre used to be my escape from everything, I no longer have that. So, if you are just going for your own entertainment then - don't.

[GirlCrush]

Lockdown lunatics? Dementors?

Some of us work in these places and then have to go home to our families!

[Sparklingbrook]

Apparently if you are a proper serious gardener there are essential things a garden centre sells which are essential to January gardening.

My garden looks like a bog and the only reason to go to a garden centre is for tea and cake IMO. And that's not on offer currently.

[SchrodingersImmigrant]

Yes. It's time to start prepping for seeding tomatoes etc. So there are reasons to go to garden centre (even if it's not considered essential), but it's different to go FOR something rathen than just for a stroll and maybe , maybe buy something then

[AlwaysLatte]

What essential items does a garden centre sell? Especially at this time of year. I can't think of anything that's essential.
Our local one also sells fence panels, pretty important for safety - pets and children. Home maintenance has always been allowed. They also sell logs, which we collected yesterday as well, and coal.

[felttree]

Yes go, they are open and it's legal. Of course garden centres don't need to be open they aren't essential and that's not down to you to make a moral choice about going or not, the gov have allowed them to stay open.

Wear a mask, keep your distance from others and enjoy the change of scene for 20 mins.

[Icanseegreenshoots]

Absolutely go! Buy something lovely for yourself and show your baby the plants and flowers. Do what you can to make life more bearable.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

What essential items does a garden centre sell? Especially at this time of year. I can't think of anything that's essential.

Pet food for a start, some have a farm shop,

[shitinmyhandsandclap]

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

What essential items does a garden centre sell? Especially at this time of year. I can't think of anything that's essential.

Pet food for a start, some have a farm shop,

Not essential though, there's supermarkets for that.

Our local garden centres are closed as non essential - 4 in the immediate area

[pepsicolagirl]

Yes I am sure the staff won't mind you deliberately increasing their risk to themselves and of course their family. Boredom is the worst!

[Sooverthemill]

Garden centres sell all sorts of essential stuff as well as lifestyle things. But the guidance states essential shopping and exercise . It doesn't say you can go wander around a garden centre for an hour because you hate being stuck at home. Sadly. I think @Thetimehascomethewalrussaid you know that this isn't what the guidance says. I know you are going mad but can you call someone, have a Skype chat? Or, go for a walk which is exercise

[Ch3rish]

@GirlCrush

They are open?? Yes for ESSENTIALS!!

Staff won’t want you in otherwise

No they aren't!

Like any shop that's allowed to be open you can buy anything they sell. Why are posters still bleating on about essential items when in England there's never been such a thing.

Lockdown Is bad enough without the groundhog day type posts from April 2020

All the shops I've been in have staff behind screens and wearing face coverings. Maybe they'd rather their employer didn't go out of business and they don't mind customers who go in and stick to the rules.

I went to a shop earlier, I was the only person in and the lad at the till seemed more that happy to have a customer.

[movingonup20]

I'm bored too, not even got a baby to fuss over or take for a walk (my dd sleeps until 4pm, she's stuck here thanks to university being shut and still having the cheek to charge her for her halls!) but no I'm not going to the garden centre/large supermarket/range/home bargains. Think my parents are fed up with me calling them! Stay at home unless it's a trip to actually buy something - got any home projects needing doing? I have to buy light bulbs for instance this week at some point as all but one is blown in the bedroom (takes 7)

[GCAcademic]

@GirlCrush

Arguably for mental health??

What does that even mean?

It means "I want to do it, but realise it makes me sound like a selfish dick, so I will say the magic words "mental health""