My Back Yard Is A Mess
By momiecat
@momiecat (997)
United States
July 20, 2008 12:50pm CST
Hi all, my back yard needs a make-over. It could be such a paradise. However, I do not have a lot of money to spend and it takes me 4-ever to do anything because I have back problems. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do that will not cost too much and not put me in bed with back pain. Can't really afford to pay someone else. Money is really tight.
4 responses
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
20 Jul 08
Hello momiecat.
Can you trade favors with a friend? For example, if you make someone a meal and take it to their house, will they give you 2 hours of labor? Or, if you babysit for their kids for 6 hours, will they give you 3 hours of labor outdoors?
In terms of your back, is there anything out there that you can do yourself, if you limit the amount of time? For example, if there's items to be picked up and they are not heavy, can you work on it 30 minutes per day? Limit the time to as little as 15 minutes per day or 15 minutes 2 or 3 times in a day, to take it easy yet make tiny bits of progress.
I suspect the trading favors would be the best way for you to go at this point. Perhaps you know how to sew and could do someone's mending as an exchange for helping get the yard done. Perhaps you bake alot. Tell someone you will bake them a new treat every other day for a week for a fews hours of labor.
Let me know how it goes. And, good luck.
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
22 Jul 08
Heck you could start a bartering network. What will you do for a pie?
1 person likes this
@momiecat (997)
• United States
21 Jul 08
Hi PearlGrace, very good suggestions, thank you. I have a little stool with wheels and if I sit on it rather than bend over, it is not as bad on my back. I do have to put aside some time every day and make small progress each day. I am going to try the idea of asking my brother and his wife to help as my husband is allergic to grass, pollens, etc. He has mowed the lawn before but gets very itchy and uncomfortable. Thanks again. Will keep in touch my friend.
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
20 Jul 08
Do you have enough money to buy weedkiller? If so spray it on what you don't want.
Someone is going to have to work. So you are going to have to suck it up and deal with the pain or pay someone to clean up the mess. You can try friends and relatives. Offer them a meal.
Maybe you can do it slowly. If you have a spot where you can burn debris that might be the route to take. You can use the fire to kill weeds in the area or areas where you are burning. I can give more details if you would like.
When people tell me they want low maintenance landscaping I say even concrete takes maintenance.
@momiecat (997)
• United States
21 Jul 08
Hi Coolseeds, thank you for the ideas. I do need to work on the yard slowly. Unfortunately we cannot burn debris here in California. I am not much into concrete because I like having a yard with grass, trees, etc. I may ask my brother and his wife to help me although they live 2 hours away, I can offer to take them to a nice dinner once I get paid in a few days. Thanks again for the suggestions. Somehow it will get done.
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
22 Jul 08
I meant you cook the food which is probably cheaper.
I like doing renovations. I did one today and have another scheduled for Friday. People seem the happiest when you clean up their mess. LOL
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
22 Jul 08
I just thought of something. There is a certification here called "Master Gardener". It really is nothing more than attending a class for a couple of days and doing XXX hours of community service every year to keep it.
Check and see if there is something like this in your area. You might be able to get free or cheap help from them.
