I missed last week's question for the Hive Garden community as I was just so busy moving house. I'm desperate to be done with the massive garden I'm trying to maintain as well as start one in the new place.
Jamie tells me to calm down. There's plenty of time, he says. I continue to freak out. There is NOT plenty of time - summer is coming! I have a little garden already in some raised beds, a temporary affair which will grow enough cucumber, beans, lettuce, tomato, peppers and eggplant for the summer, but I need to get the raised beds in the ground, which means removing the concrete patio. More on this later.
I've been thinking a lot about how I've always been a gardener, and I think you can say that after you turn 50. I can't imagine not doing it. So whilst Jamie tells me there's plenty of time, my green thumb pales at the the thought.
Thing is, my body isn't working as well as it used to. I can't surf as much as I used to, and it's crowded more in the water and the swell and wind has changed a lot due to climate changes. The only way I can stay sane really is to create something, and creating a garden is what I'm capable of. I can't paint, draw or sculpt, but I can sculpt a beautiful green space that provides food and harmony. And if I die, hopefully the next person will enjoy it.
For me, it keeps me sane. I also love how it supplements the food budget and keeps us healthy. I can't not garden. I panic at the thought.
But there's a darker side of the #qotw I think as well. What if we weren't allowed to garden? With multinational companies gaining monopoly of all kinds of things, and big agriculture, there has been real fears over the years that the backyard gardener won't be able to grow their own food. I can't imagine that happening here. I think we've actually gone the other way. With problems with food security due to climate events such as flood and rain, I think governments are more supportive of backyard growers - we can supply local communities with sustenance.
The local council has even bent towards allowing raised beds on nature strips, supporting community gardens, and concessions for compost bins and worm farms. Even in suburbia we are allowed up to twelve chickens - and that's quite a few! And they don't mind little 'food is free' stalls on nature strips either, and we can also have bees.
I guess I'm going to reach a point where I physically can't do it. I like to think that won't be the case - a 'use it or lose it' mentality. People keep gardening in their 80's and 90's, after all. Maybe I'll get an AI robot gardener then to help me out a little.
With Love,
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I sometimes wonder about that, as I'm about to turn 70. I think as long as I can get helpers I'll be doing it.
You're lucky you have helpers! You are rocking it despite the problems and stresses you have had. Keep on truckin'!
I hope that the government won't try to get in the way of people gardening. I know a certain herb that is illegal to grow in many countries might even thrive because of it's illegality. Many gardeners are rebels too.
And as for age, my grandpa was gardening until just before his death (at 88) even despite a dozen different health issues and using a walker (he was super tall & going thru chemo treatment --- so I don't think us shorter people will necessarily need a walker in the late 80s). I think the raised beds were essential to him as well as super safe & even pathways. So, I think focusing on the raised beds and making everything accessible while you are young & healthy is the key to gardening until a very advanced age <3
Oh yeah definitely the raised beds! I hate getting old. I feel like it's looming!!! It's awesome and inspiring your Grandad kept going as long as he could.
Yep, we are often rebels - we will find a way. And those certain plants are a gateway to other gardening too I find!
Hi @riverflows take it one step at a time you have built so many gardens before and you wii create another wonderful one again and who knows maybe that AI robot gardener won’t be such a bad idea someday..
I would love one to give me a hand right now!
One step at a time! You will get done exactly what need be to manage this summer's crops. Having raised beds is a godsend as we get older. The bending is what gets me at 70 so next summer we are going to add another layer to two of our frames. They really do make it easier on the body when planting and harvesting. I hope you have a wonderful growing season.
Thankyou! Definitely will be putting in raised beds but don't think we will get much in this summer. As long as it's ready for next Spring I'll be happy, with some small beds in interim.
I also can't imagine not being a gardener in the future. It's like someone who's worked for decades and suddenly has to retire early. I can't imagine even David Beckham, a former football player, becoming a gardener to keep himself happy in his old age, right?
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