What a mess in my garden!

rachelweatherstone

Hello everyone,
I am hoping that there s anyone that can help.
I have just under a 3rd of an acre of garden. I became ill 2 yrs ago and still unable to do much. 
So my garden has been ravished with bramble, it's everywhere!
1st. I have a hedge trimmer but what I need is a good but not pricey strimmer to cut down the brambles?
2nd. Does anyone know how to get any help with my garden? I was thinking of turning it into an area for allotments?  Where people can come and look after their parts for a year or 2? Or is that too much? It was a beautiful garden before I became ill and the stress it causes me where it is now such a mess.
My health isn't going to get better anytime soon that's why I thought that maybe this would be an alternative idea? They will have there own access.
I am just trying to think of a yearly plan. It is so big and it is such a shame to see it like this.
Any ideas on what I could do? It will be so welcome?
If you could help I will be so grateful,
Thanks readers, I appreciate any comments?
Rachel. 

Fairygirl

Hi @rachelweatherstone. I'm sorry your garden has become a difficult place for you, rather than enjoyable. 
Re the brambles. A strimmer might be easier for controlling them, but I can't offer suggestions for purchasing, as it's not something I use. Hopefully, others may be able to offer recommendations. Would you able to do that yourself though? It's the clearing up of them that might be more of a problem than the cutting itself. If you had some friends or neighbours who could help with that, that will make the job easier.

I wonder if you'd be better just getting a local gardener to tidy the plot, and then do some regular maintenance? Some will do a yearly plan, probably at a fixed price. I'm not sure creating allotments would be viable, or easy, and I'd expect there would be a lot of legal processes [insurance etc] to go through as well. I don't know how difficult it would be, but your local council would be the first point of contact. It would impact on the area, so it'll depend on the location you're in too. 
Sorry if that sounds a bit negative, but it's best to find out about the legal process rather than proceeding yourself, and then getting into trouble. 

Slow-worm

Could you put an ad out for help, in return for a small patch for people to tend? Many kind people will help for little or no reward even when offered, when they understand a situation. Maybe someone from here lives nearby.
I would have done that for anyone before carpal tunnel knackered my wrists, so there will be someone, somewhere who would help. 
On past experience, a strimmer won't do much for brambles because they get woody, so you'd be better off with loppers and a fork, so if you can pay someone in the first instance, the main problem would be tackled. 

AnniD

Hello Rachel 

I think you would be better maybe getting someone in, both to help with the strimming and clearing the garden so that you see exactly what you're dealing with.
Can l just mention getting the operator to check for any wildlife as best they can before beginning. Hedgehogs can be badly injured or killed by strimmers.

The idea of dividing the plot into allotments is a lovely one, but as others have said you would need to go down the insurance route etc to cover anyone in case of injury.

On my local Nextdoor group, someone put out a request for help in their garden in exchange for some vegetables and flowers, and l believe they were lucky enough to find someone, but they did make some checks beforehand. Sadly these days you can't be too careful. 

Do you live anywhere near a horticultural college or similar? They may be interested in taking over part of the garden as a project.

A lot depends on your budget, if you can afford to get a gardener in to tidy the plot and just maintain it on an "as and when" basis, or maybe you have friends or relatives that can help out in exchange for drinks and food.
It maybe worth considering laying the majority to lawn and just having one or two flower beds or even raised beds that are easy for you to maintain if your health allows.

Would it be possible for you to post a couple of photos?  That may help with suggestions, also information such as is it a sunny site etc.

I know how disheartened you must feel, but you have come to the right place for advice 

raisingirl

do you have a 'neighbours' website in your area? You might be able to find some people willing to do a bit of garden share that way.