How Quickly Does Albendazole Work?

[chooklady]

I had an e-mail from a lady who lives about a mile and a half away from me today through Landshare.

 

I can have the use of all her garden and shed if I keep about the first 12 feet or so tidy for her use. She is about to have an outside tap put in and an electric point. The only draw back is that nothing has happened in that garden for over a year, it is like a wilderness!!!

I would say it's about 50 - 60 feet in length and 20 feet wide.

I don't know if I have the energy to deal with all the extra work before I can even begin to think about the fruit and veg, but there may not be another chance of something that close, there is also parking and she is not there most of the time.

 

She wants some character references etc, which is fair enough, she doesn't know me from Adam.

 

Would you go for it?

 

Your opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Nicola

[Chucky Mama]

Would there be anything in writing to make the agreement official between you? You could always try and find a couple of teenagers in need of some extra pocket money to help you clear it.

[Valkyrie]

It sounds brilliant. The trick is to do what you can manage at a time - but of course if you have helpers like Chucky Mama says . . .

Plus a flame gun if it's all brambley. If it's mainly grass, then strim away - it's surprising how good an area looks once the grass has been chopped back - then that will give you breathing space to see what's what.

[Olly]

I agree - it may not be as bad as you think, and even better if it's been a garden in the past, there may be some unexpected treasures hiding underneath the grass and brambles.

 

Can you cope with the condition of keeping the first 12' or so tidy for her, to start with? If so then you could just put down black plastic or something to kill off the weeds, and strim it bit by bit. Sounds like an opportunity not to be missed!

[sjp]

if you got an allottment plot chances are it would be a wilderness. this is the best time of year to take on a wilderness you've got all winter to tame it with out having to rush. an hour or two of a weekend will soon have it done and if you don't feall like it one weekend you're not up against the clock re having to get planting you've got till march

ther's also nothing like an hours digging on a frosty boxing day to wind down from the day before

[chooklady]

Thanks for all your advice. I am leaning towards taking it on as long as I can rope in some help from hubby and his strimmer.

 

You are right about it being the right time of year, it must be very daunting trying to compete with nature at the height of the growing season.

 

If we go ahead we are going to draw up some sort of agreement, she seemed like a fairly intelligent lady and she knew exactly what she wants in return.

 

I think I would rather keep her little bit of garden tidy than give her my produce!!

 

Do you think it would be a good idea to grow things there that possibly need less attention and watering and grow the things that need more attention in my garden?

Once things are up and running unless it was extremely hot I would try and visit every other day. I thought about growing potatoes, onions, peas, other root vegetables, things I don't really have room for in my raised beds.

I'm a bit inexperienced at growing things in bigger quantities so again, your opinions and experience will be greatly received.

 

Hubby is worried that I take on too much, I don't have a job and not much chance of getting one in the near future. But I am always busy, kids, animals, chickens, housework etc etc, so I thought I might as well try and feed my family better.

 

Enough waffle, I'll leave you in peace now!!

 

Nicola

[Redwing]

make sure the lady isnt on a water meter, that could get tricky otherwise

 

Also if you are using the hose would it affect her water pressure? you wouldnt want to fall out over something like that!

 

Put guttering and a water butt on the shed if in doubt

 

Also find out what the first 12 feet entail, if its all bedding plants it can be labour intensive but some shrubs and a bit of lawn isnt as bad - if its seasonal plants agree who purchases them!

 

Personally I don't think I would feel as free as I would on a stand alone plot that doesnt have someone watching from the kitchen window but if you are confident that the lady wouldnt be around much then I guess thats some consolation

 

I guess it all boils down to how comfortable you feel with the lady and whether you are likely to get another generous offer

[chooklady]

Tasha you've raised some interestig points. The woman has been e-mailing me with loads of stuff today, about accidents and who would be liable etc, it all feels a bit heavy at the moment, which is making me back off a little. I think she is a genuine person but you can't help worry that she just wants someone to clear her garden!!

 

I'm between a rock and a hard place, not sure whether I should go ahead or not.

 

This is an extra bit of info about how my growing space has increased. We back onto some scrub land which is not used and although I know we probably shouldn't have done this we have put 3 raised beds just beyond our garden, I have one other one in the garden plus other areas where I can grow things in tubs etc. and a greenhouse, I know you can probably never have enough space but will what I've got be enough?

 

I'm just unsure about this other person's garden, I don't know which way to go, I don't want to get her hopes up only let her down, what do I do.

[Redwing]

In todays 'sue everyone' society I guess she has a right to be wary

 

I dont want to put a downer on it I just think if someone was using my garden I would want it to be a certain way - if you put wigwams up for beans is it likely to be a problem etc... Many people wouldnt be able to resist poking their noses in

 

Perhaps go and meet the lady (if you havent already) a lot can be said for gut instinct and if you do go for it be sure to agree a minimum period of the 'lease'

 

Having said that sometimes the risks you take pay you back a thousnd times over, if its a nightmare you can pull out and walk away

[redhotchick]

What if you put all the hard work in and then she changes her mind?

I'm leaning on the cautious side, but sometimes nothing ventured nothing gained!

You could have a great experience.

Is the lady not at all interested in a joint venture with you, so that she would be helping too?

How big are each of the raised beds that you have put in?

It might be that you have enough to give you a good supply of vegetables already.

Are there no allotments close to you?

Even if there is a waiting list it might be worth asking if someone is willing to give you some space on their plot for Potatoes, Onions, Carrots, Parsnips etc.

[chooklady]

After all of the above and much thought and input from friends and your good selves I think I am going to back out.

Perhaps I'm being a coward, I'm not sure. Gut instinct maybe.

There is a massive amount of work to be done. There is so much growth which is going to result in god knows how many trips to the local tip which is 5 miles away.

I was talking to my friend yesterday and she said we should turn the bottom of her garden into an allotment, her garden is so long 150 feet by about 20 feet (Victorian house)

So maybe that is what we'll end up doing, At least we can help each other out that way, plus I've known her for 20 years.

I will e-mail the woman later and tell her my decision.

[Snowy]

Difficult decision, but probably the right one The option with your friend sounds better