Polymerous said:Re comments on all of the gardeners being older... it's not just having the time, it's also having enough money to have a house and some land (not to mention to be able to afford the hobby).

Yes, community gardens help with this somewhat. I think more neighborhoods should have a community garden.

Sue, thanks so much for that information on the gypsum! It is often recommended here for our hard soil, but we have used it and I can't say that it made any positive difference.

Frilly, my heart goes out to you... I know the scourge that Bermuda Grass is. We had it at our last house. It was a constant battle to keep it out of my few planting beds.

Kid, I'd say that you have been blessed, to have a son with such horticultural interests. (Though I can see both sides of the "too much time on the computer".... it was the same with our DD (largely because DH is heavily into computer gaming and she joined him), but she turned out pretty well and computer skills are pretty much a necessity in this world. ) But hybridizing does require a lot of computer time to keep up with things (note taking and tracking the seedlings, researching for new parents, processing digital images). Gone are the days of paper notebooks! (And 160 acres? I'm jealous... or would be, except for the Bermuda grass.)

HEY! I have a paper notebook

I find it much easier (and not a contributor to the massive clutter here) to keep all of the records on the computer.

Of course, being on the computer has its hazards... I get sucked into going online and then reading miscellaneous forums, or researching more plants (to buy), or playing a few games of Suduko or solitaire... and then before I know it...

I have used computers for 20 years but these kids do everything on them. I told Ashton to get me a list of daylilies that I need to make plant markers to ID. He took his iPad and walked around the garden telling it the names of daylilies with no markers. Now this evening he is gone and I can't get the thing to tell me any of the names. I guess when Ashton gets back he will have to tell it to give me the information. Now I would be impressed if he could tell the garden markers what names they need to display. But you see who is making the tags. He won't even take a notebook and make a list so not much chance he is writing any tags. I know I could print them or have them made but it is a little costly when I need more than a thousand. So I go on the cheap and make my own. Besides, I tell my kids that they can learn to have neat penmanship. If I would buy labels with the names, those would probably die just to make sure I wasted my money.

Our new bed for mini and small flowers that I thought would be for about 50 plants but I see it will hold 75 so I need some more.

I bet Ashton could print out the markers. If he knew the names, I'm impressed!

Barbalee, you can save space in your luggage if you travel this way since we already have plenty of clay. Our property has very diverse soil types. Fortunately, most of our garden areas are sandy loam.
Ashton knows all the names better than I do. I am the one that is always asking him, what is that and where did we get it?
I guess that is how we have collected so many. I don't even know what they are or where they came from. I think there are some folks on here who contribute to the daylily addiction of my son. I could name names but you know who you are. Just because it may have my name on the payment does not mean that I am fully aware of what is going on. (by the way, Ashton has his own livestock on the farm so I have a way to get my money back .)

Let's see, which one used to be Ashton's?

Whatever number I have is too many.

I just dowsized by 8 yesterday. Now have 247 registered and about 20 NOIDS.

Club sale was a lot of work, but a huge success!

I need to downsize!
I've downsized my clumps...does that count?

I did let go of a few that looked similar to another or struggled through my winters.
Unfortunately, I've added more than I have let go of.
Between home and school garden the current number is around 800......not counting seedlings.

I am removing some of my daylilies which will go to a friend. My number is well over 500 registered not counting the seedlings that have matured and are kept because they are keepers for the time being. I am a senior and in much better shape physically than those I know my age that don't do anything that requires physical exertion. My sister who is 13 years younger always says she can't squat or kneel like me. I know that I will reduce the number of plants but will not give up gardening as long as possible. Gardening for me is also a place I can go to relax and let the cares of the day flow away, I am the caregiver for my husband and before he got sick one of my younger sisters. The garden nurtures my soul and keep me focused.

The Tshirts that says Gardening is Cheaper than Therapy may sound funny to some, but it's so true in many ways.

I have been caregiver for over 4 yrs. My father passed first and then my sister fought a hard battle with cancer. i am currently living with my elderly mother half of each week now. It can help keep you sane sometimes.

for caregivers, and so true that gardening keeps us grounded.

We are downsizing, little by little. When gardening becomes an overwhelming chore
with time and physical constraints, instead of fun, then it is time to downsize to a
level that is fun, imho.

Of course, such parameters differ by individual, and I am also attempting to
convince myself by reading what I just wrote.

I too am a caregiver, my son has autism and is mentally retarded. He is 19 now but cognitively only 2.
I have fibromyalgia and frequent migraines, and food allergies.

I think just about everyone deals with these type of things at some point in their lives, or at least has a family member that does.

Gardening is a stress reliever for me.

So, so sorry, Lily...that sounds much tougher than most have to deal with!

to those of you that are dealing with some very stressful situations. I can absolutely relate! I think gardening has preserved my sanity more than once. When I get upset, I go out and enjoy my garden and sometimes pull LOTS of weeds!

I will definitely always garden, both flower and vegetable; just will be on a smaller scale. I don't think that I could ever give up gardening entirely.

If I ever had to give up gardening, I may as well give up getting out of bed

Frillylily said:If I ever had to give up gardening, I may as well give up getting out of bed

That's why I have a hard time in the winter