Should my gardener still visit me?
I am 81 and disabled so rely on my gardener to cut the grass and keep beds tidy. He also does heavy jobs for me outside. He does not come near me, I leave the money outside. He has no physical contact with others. He has offered to bring food in for me.
My friend is angry that he is still working and has verbally attacked him for doing his job this week. What do others think?
As a lone gardener and keeping his distance, he is absolutely fine to continue to do his job. What a marvelous good person he is, to offer to help you out with bringing any of your shopping to you. Your friend is out of order to have verbally attacked him like that, hopefully though only through ignorance.
Yes, let him come. He sounds like a good person to have around. Ignore the comments from your nasty neighbour, it’s fear doing the talking.
Much better to have him come around. Imagine the length of the grass if he didn’t.
Thank you, I will pass your kind comment on to my gardener. My friend stopped him from cutting the grass for his elderly neighbours yesterday although he did not have their permission. He accused the gardener of cashing in on the corona crisis but our gardens are more important than ever now and the grass is a mile high. He is not expensive, £20 an hour and he brings a petrol mower and all tools. He pressure washes the patio so that it is not slippery and cuts back trees.
Hi viamar, like you I have a gardener, he has text me this week saying he is Considered ‘non essential ‘ so won’t be coming under the new guidelines, until the government have lifted it . However, like you I think that working outside with no contact with you, can’t do any harm, checking in you and doing extra bits like your shopping can only help surely . But it’s only an opinion, I’m sure others will disagree : I’d certainly be happy for my gardener to cut my lawns and like you I’m in isolation xxxxx
I think your friend is going over the top Viamar and needs to calm down.
As long as you don't touch anything the gardener has touched for a week it'd be okay. It would be good for your mental health and he's supporting someone in isolation. He's probably practice social distancing.
How lovely to look out on nice cut grass 😘
It sounds like a great idea that the gardener comes round. Your friend is looking out for you but shouldn’t get so angry.
Take care xxxx
Oh wow. I think your friend is out of line. 😟 They should not be verbally attacking him. He's not putting you at risk if he's not near you. As long as he is working outside and you are inside I don't see the issue. Good grief...🙄 xx
Hi, my gardener has so far said that she will continue to come unless any of her clients don't want her. She works alone, keeps a 2 meter distance if she needs to talk to a client, otherwise just gets on with the job. I am able to pay her by bank transfer.
I would agree that a nice garden ,whilst uplifting, is non essential and could cause worry and resentment amongst others. We have a bowling club near us who are forbidden to cut the green now and are understandably worried that it will be ruined. However we are talking life and death here? If he is bringing essential supplies to you, that would be allowed but ,to be honest, I would leave the garden till rules are relaxed.
My gardener and I have been texting. He was unsure of the rules but we decided that I would leave out his payment. We will not be in contact. I am very aware he has a young baby, but we won’t be having our normal chat.
Of course Viamar your gardener should be able to sort out your garden as long as you both arrange not to be in contact, which it sounds like you have.
Your neighbour sounds a bit of a jobsworth. To be honest I don’t see the difference from a risk point of view between your gardener cutting the grass etc or a neighbour, relative, friend doing it, where they would receive praise. Perhaps if your neighbour feels so strongly, they should offer to do it for you! Thought not!
Good luck and enjoy your tidy garden.
Love cx
Have the gardener there he is nowhere near you .
I have a very kind neighbour friend who does mine dont need any contact could never do any of it anymore
He brings his own stuff.
Your friend is being a littel over the top and hopefully wont lose you your valuable gardener.
Be nice to look out or sit in the garden after if sunny not look out at a wilderness💕x
We've still had our grass cut we don't mix with him and he uses all his own tools. So I don't see any risk as to us having it done.
Your friend should mind her own business. I’m sick of hearing criticism of other people
& what they’re doing. We have to use common sense & it’s obvious your gardener is no risk to anyone & indeed providing a valuable service.
People should stop looking out their windows & checking on what neighbours are doing, then ranting about it on Facebook etc. Honestly this crisis is bringing out the worst in some people.
I think you’re lucky to have such a sensible and help gardener.
Your nasty. Horrible experience interfering neighbour needs to go away.
Tell your friend that they are going over the top.
You stay safe and enjoy your garden.
Not often I resort to violence but your friend needs a slap!
My mums gardener is still visiting he does his work goes nowhere near mum and they are both happy with that.
Love and hugs
J
I think you now have an ex friend until they regain some common sense,your gardener sounds like a perfectly decent gentleman who you should recommend to more sensible friends. 
x
My GP concealed my Consultants diagnosis!
Doctors visit.
visit from nurse
