Non Gardeners Working in the Garden

[Nyboy]

Today I hired my nephew and his friend to help plant fruit trees. The only interest they have in gardening is their pay. They started off making fun of me for buying soil when I have acres. I tried to explane about slow draining clay, and how the trees would be planted on soil mounds because of this. They wanted to quickly dig holes and drop the trees in. When they found out they had to bring wheel barrels of soil across the yard for each tree, they though I was being a ballbuster. When asked why I didn't have soil dump closer, I told them heavy truck would compact soil more, I knew I lost them. I didn't even go into tree flare and telephone poling. I started out tring to teach, as day went by I found myself saying more and more " Because I said so" I did lecture one more time when I heard the term slave- driver used. I told them slaves didn't get paid, they where more like indentured servants!! Didn't get anywhere near numbers of trees planted I was hoping for today. Where does one buy those electric sticks they use to move cattle?

 

[Carol Dee]

LOL @Nyboy I wish I had a cattle prod to send you. After all the years your nephew has worked odd jobs for you one would hope you'd be rubbing off on him some!

 

[Nyboy]

Thanks Carol didn't know what it was called cattle prod

 

[majorcatfish]

Old Chinese proverb .....
If you want something done right, do it yourself

 

[seedcorn]

TSC, Big R, any farm supply store. Don't forget to buy plenty of batteries. Or go "old school" and obtain a bull whip. Get them motivated plus allow you to relieve stress.

Don't listen to their screams about abuse, workers rights, etc.....

 

[Smart Red]

Right, what majorcatfish said. I always figure I can do most anything anyone else can -- it just takes me a bit (a very big bit) longer.

@Nyboy, in your nephew's behalf, making a nourishing space for the tree in a hole surrounded by clay just might encourage the roots to stay within the good ground and end up girdling the tree. Often the best planting is plenty of room, but returning the same soil around the roots so they have no reason not to venture out into the orchard space.

 

[258 Pots]

I think if you spent 20 minutes explaining the reasons for everything it might help, they are smart enough to understand logic, don't give up some of what you say is being understood...

 

[digitS']

I am still learning that some people are not gardeners. However, I'm not willing to give up on the idea that they can become gardeners.

We all eat and the hunger response is a universal motivation. NyBoy, hunger "pangs" should provide a good prod.

The hunger response requires an interest in food. A problem is that many fail to associate a primary source for food. We also hunger after other things that have probably much the same emotional responses to satiation. From art to sex ... acknowledgement to solitude ... stimulation to sleep.

No, I think the best motivation would be pizza. Six hours of labor with only water to drink and the promise of delivery at a precise moment.

Steve

 

[Nyboy]

Red I know that, not planting in hole, building large mound of soil planting on top of mound. Thanks seedcorn I have a TSC near by. I think they where hung over, didn't want to work but wanted to get paid.

 

[seedcorn]

Hung over??? Good thing I wasn't there, I would have had GREAT fun at their expense......