When is it time to hang it all up?

[waynefrcan]

Hey people what's happening in the pond world? I'm enjoying mine! But the whole pond backyard, veg garden, fruit trees, shrubs and flowers is finally getting a bit much to handle. Front yard also. I am thinking 5 more years, I'm 59 now. What are you guys finding as far as age, health and getting everything done?
Thks
Wayne

 

[brokensword]

You're just a young whippersnapper; shame on you for talking old!!! I'm joking, of course, but I'm 63 and have no intention of foregoing a pond anytime soon. As a matter of fact, I'm already calculating exactly how things will get done as I age. I figure maybe by 80 I MAY need someone to set up the winter tent, take down said same, pull the screen roof cover over, etc. Going to look into how to automate more and more, but that's mainly a physical limitation that might occur later.

So, don't you go getting old before your time, you rascal you!

 

[GBBUDD]

Just built mine as its just getting finished and at 58. I look at it as getting my ass off the couch and keeping yea young and trust me i'M dealing with a used and abused body. That commercial with the step up rocking board with built in ski pole aint for me.

 

[addy1]

You children....................keep the pond keep on loving it working it and the yard. Keeps you moving and younger

 

[Tula]

I worry about my koi outliving me !!!! Funny......sorta. My husband is older then me and I worry about yard maintenance etc and have considered simplifying our pond.

The koi must have overheard our discussions as they haven't spawned this year - LOL !

 

[mrsclem]

62 and keep adding to the plants and garden every year. We still do all our own yard work when most of our neighbors use a service. Hubby does all the lawn work - with a push mower! Entire property is on a severe slope so riding mowers don't work. BTW- he's 66 and still working full time.

 

[Bluerooster]

I'm 60 and still work for a living. Not sitting at a desk mind you, but actual hard physical labor. When I get home for the weekend, all I want to do is relax with pond/yard/ house/car/farm maintenance. and do that all weekend long. Mabe get a little flying in as well. But I've found that if I don't stay physically active, I won't be able to keep up with the hired help. I relax by working at home. Digging ditches, shoveling gravel, forging something useful from a chunk of steel, etc. I just can't sit still, until late in the evening, when all is quiet, and the pond has an awesome reflection on it. My Dad was the same way, up untill 2 weeks ago when he flew west at the young age of 95. (his mom was 104)

 

[Bluerooster]

Object of the game is keep going untill you can't, then, keep going anyway.

 

[Lisak1]

I'm 60 this year, work full-time and find my SANITY in my yard and gardens.

We did hire a couple of neighborhood teens to mow the grass last year - they are starting a business and offered a great price. They charge us $15 a time and only cut when it's needed. Takes them all of 10 minutes and saves me at least 45 minutes a week. I CAN do it... I just don't ENJOY doing it, so that was a good trade-off. We are in the process of getting rid of bushes that require trimming two or three times a year - not interested in doing that kind of work anymore. Again - I can, I just don't want to. We had three big hedges that were almost 30 years old - they were ready to go. Replacing them with easier care plants and in one area just expanded the food growing space!

We hire out major tree trimming, but otherwise we do all the routine maintenance, planting, weeding, watering, pond care, etc. We enjoy it, it keeps us moving and outside, in the fresh air and sunshine, keeps us in touch with our neighbors... don't foresee stopping any time soon!

 

[addy1]

I do all the outside work, inside work, hubby babies the cars (health issues). About 2 hours to mow,which I enjoy. The weeds can take over but most that grow the bees eat off and other bugs. I keep paths open lol. The pond takes care of itself. Except pulling excess growth in the bog. Got my tractor to haul the trimmings to the back woods. Main issue is the heat I can't be out above 85.

I do need to do a pull on the iris, they bloomed so great this year, but are taking over the shallow end of the pond.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

I am thinking 5 more years, I'm 59 now. What are you guys finding as far as age, health and getting everything done?
Thks
Wayne

When my grandma stopped being able to take care of her gardens, my mom and I helped for awhile, but I got tired of doing that, so I ended up seeding one of her garden beds with natives plants so it could fill in and somewhat maintain itself. That way, she gets to at least enjoy different plants blooming and color, and I do minor weeding on occasion. So, in a sense, my advice would be to do something like that. Native plants would be great, but just in general, find ways to make it more manageable. Look for plants and shrubs that need less managing, or put them in areas where they won't need to be managed as much. There are definitely ways to reduce the work it takes to keep a garden looking nice and still be able to enjoy it.

 

[poconojoe]

You ask...when is it time to hang it all up?
I say...When we stop breathing!

 

[GBBUDD]

I worry about my koi outliving me !!!! Funny......sorta. My husband is older then me and I worry about yard maintenance etc and have considered simplifying our pond.

The koi must have overheard our discussions as they haven't spawned this year - LOL !

Considering they live 50 years and im 58 oh yeah they will outlive me alright

 

[brokensword]

I'm 60 this year, work full-time and find my SANITY in my yard and gardens.

We did hire a couple of neighborhood teens to mow the grass last year - they are starting a business and offered a great price. They charge us $15 a time and only cut when it's needed. Takes them all of 10 minutes and saves me at least 45 minutes a week. I CAN do it... I just don't ENJOY doing it, so that was a good trade-off. We are in the process of getting rid of bushes that require trimming two or three times a year - not interested in doing that kind of work anymore. Again - I can, I just don't want to. We had three big hedges that were almost 30 years old - they were ready to go. Replacing them with easier care plants and in one area just expanded the food growing space!

We hire out major tree trimming, but otherwise we do all the routine maintenance, planting, weeding, watering, pond care, etc. We enjoy it, it keeps us moving and outside, in the fresh air and sunshine, keeps us in touch with our neighbors... don't foresee stopping any time soon!

you don't have TIME to cut the grass anymore, Lisa; you have to work on moving plumbing for that masterbath redo, don'tcha???? heh.

 

[Lisak1]

you don't have TIME to cut the grass anymore, Lisa; you have to work on moving plumbing for that masterbath redo, don'tcha???? heh.

Har-dee har har har. There are some things that I will NOT do. Plumbing would be high on the list!

But I will use the extra time for an opportunity to run to the garden center JUST TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE!