digitS'
Garden Master
There are people who have trouble keeping up with their property whether they are losing it or not. This brings up the "kindler, gentler" subject of 
what I call GOOPP !
That's Gardening On Other People's Property. It's what I do . . .
The elderly people next door may not be able to or want to run the weed-whacker across the lower 40. But, those with "lots" more than what they need, become the "lords of the manor" and distant ground, sits idle.
It all started for me about 20 years ago when I drug a hose across the alley and began running a sprinkler on a vacant lot there. I'd learned that the owner lived about 50 miles away, owned property all over the place and was happy to have me there, keeping the weeds down. Voluntary payment for the 4 years I was gardening there, amounted to 2 pints of apricot jam I made each year -- off his apricot tree .
My father will be 92 next week. He and his wife own 2 homes and I've used Dad's old garden for 17 years. That arrangement comes to an end this year, however. Not to worry tho', I've other resources.
A retired school teacher owned a rental house and the property next door came available. He bought it for a song and demolished the ramshackle house that stood on it. He loved to garden but could only take care of about one-half of a lot. He now owned 3. With 1 house and 1 garage on 3 lots - - well, that's where I came in, 14 years ago.
Another retired gentleman with a nearly 2 acres of yard became exasperated that he couldn't care for part of it. It was perfectly level, had reasonably good soil but was on an isolated bench above the river. I could stand on one side of my garden and cast a line into the river. I had no choice but to take over that ground and plant a garden.
After about 5 years, and in failing health, he and his wife sold the land . . . but, I'd already made arrangements - across the road. Just being neighborly
. More retired folks and good gardeners, they'd raised 5 children. As empty nesters, they didn't need their nearly one-half acre garden. They had enuf to do taking care of about 7 acres of irrigated land while traveling the country, visiting their kids and grandkids.
I only pay for water in one location. The other gardens are on irrigation districts and the owners pay for water whether it is used or not. Transportation :/ is my major expense but my pickup can be completely filled with produce returning from these distant gardens.
Steve
what I call GOOPP !That's Gardening On Other People's Property. It's what I do . . .
The elderly people next door may not be able to or want to run the weed-whacker across the lower 40. But, those with "lots" more than what they need, become the "lords of the manor" and distant ground, sits idle.
It all started for me about 20 years ago when I drug a hose across the alley and began running a sprinkler on a vacant lot there. I'd learned that the owner lived about 50 miles away, owned property all over the place and was happy to have me there, keeping the weeds down
. Voluntary payment for the 4 years I was gardening there, amounted to 2 pints of apricot jam I made each year -- off his apricot tree .My father will be 92 next week. He and his wife own 2 homes and I've used Dad's old garden for 17 years. That arrangement comes to an end this year, however. Not to worry tho', I've other resources
.A retired school teacher owned a rental house and the property next door came available. He bought it for a song and demolished the ramshackle house that stood on it. He loved to garden but could only take care of about one-half of a lot. He now owned 3. With 1 house and 1 garage on 3 lots - - well, that's where I came in, 14 years ago.
Another retired gentleman with a nearly 2 acres of yard became exasperated that he couldn't care for part of it. It was perfectly level, had reasonably good soil but was on an isolated bench above the river. I could stand on one side of my garden and cast a line into the river. I had no choice
but to take over that ground and plant a garden.After about 5 years, and in failing health, he and his wife sold the land . . . but, I'd already made arrangements - across the road. Just being neighborly
. More retired folks and good gardeners, they'd raised 5 children. As empty nesters, they didn't need their nearly one-half acre garden. They had enuf to do taking care of about 7 acres of irrigated land while traveling the country, visiting their kids and grandkids.I only pay for water in one location. The other gardens are on irrigation districts and the owners pay for water whether it is used or not. Transportation :/ is my major expense but my pickup can be completely filled with produce returning from these distant gardens
.Steve
Gee Steve! Have you ever got so confused on your gardens that you ended up weeding and watering someone else's by mistake and ending up with no produce in hand?!!? 
