Couldn't believe my ears!

[janeyo]

We have a chap here today and tomrrow laying a path all the way down the garden, round the 3 sheds, past the chickens and to the compost bins. Would take OH a month so easier to get someone in, and the slabs are HEAVY.

Anyway we got chatting as I was digging out there too, and he was telling me about a garden he tends, mows, prunes, tidies on a regular basis. It's a good space, similar in size to mine, (about 150 feet by 50 feet)

The people who own the house NEVER go outside in their garden, only maybe walk down to see what the gardener has done ONCE a year!

Why don't they sell up, move into a flat and let someone who would appreciate the space live there!

I was gobsmacked.

janeyo

even my OH who isn't really partial to excersise or fresh air, is coming round to my way of thinking and spends a bit of time out there now.

[kirsty b]

I'm fairly gobsmacked too. With a garden that size I wouldn't need allotment.

[jackie j]

What a waste I could do with a bigger garden

[bluemoon]

Why do people do this? My brothers don't have kids, but one has a five bedroomed house and the other has six. Even with them and their wives using one as a study each it still means loads of wasted space. I just don't get it.

[janeyo]

I think it must be a status thing, with the house size or garden size... even if you odn't use any of it!

janeyo

[bluemoon]

You're probably right, janeyo. One of them lives in the Cotswolds and claims he needs the space for all his mates who turn up for cheap holidays, and at least he does make use of his large garden. The other one hates gardening, so doesn't use that either.

[Matt.]

Its about the distance between you and your neighbours isn't it? Its a much nicer view looking at a 150' garden than your neighbours windows. I could never live in a flat again so much noise and disruption its like its not your own place...

[Alice]

You're right Matt. I think quite a lot of people see their gardens as just the private around their house and don't use then for anything.
At my last house I had neighbours with a very large garden. They had a chap who came and cut the grass, and a hit squad who came about every 3 months and cut the hedges and tidied up. They never grew anything or went into the garden. It amazed me.

[blue411]

What an absolute waste!

[snuffer]

Changing the subject a little but in a similar vien. We have friends who every five years or so change their kitchen. Whatever's the fashion that's what they get. It is a massive kitchen and so costs thousands every time they do it. Don't get me wrong, their not short of a bob or two and so they never give it a second thought.

The wierd thing is, apart from using the microwave at breakfast and doing the Christmas dinner (they often eat out) the kitchen is hardly ever used. I imagine the caterers that come in when they have partys do more actual cooking in there than they do.

[Stacey Steve]

Had a neighbour once who would tend the garden herself but wouldn't let her kids out there in case they got dirty or "caught" something. Now that is not only a waste but to my mind almost cruel.

[allotmentlady]

maybe they are disabled..........and cannot or are scared to go in the garden, maybe they have a fear of worms.......

[Stacey Steve]

No, we used to have a paddling pool out in the front garden for my son and kids used to turn up to play. I seemed to be constantly refilling the rotten thing. A little drop of shampoo and and a little savlon for good measure.

They used to have a whale of a time but these kids were never allowed, the water maybe dirty, you may catch something from the other kids. No all they did was sit in front of the TV watching videos and then it was wondered why they couldn't get on with the other kids at first school.

Sorry got some very strong views on this.

[vicky]

I work for a LOT of people like this! I say I've done this and that today and pruned your apple tree and spread the compost and they say blankly "have you? we never go into garden..." rather disheartening...Probaby 40% of the people I work for 'never go in the garden'. I'm afraid I now use their gardens to grow stuff I want! I have about an acre spread over west Essex!

[janeyo]

Sweet Vicky! I am loving this idea! Do the people know?! Or will it be a surprise if they ever do venture down the garden?!

janeyo