PROUD OF MY LAWN DUTIES

To answer Jo’s question about who mows the lawns (November 2018), all during my married life of almost 60 years, we shared the lawn mowing. To start with, my late husband enjoyed mowing the lawns and clipped the edges with great precision while I concentrated on the flower garden. If, for some reason my husband couldn’t do the mowing, I did the job. I am 82 now and still mow the lawns using the hand mower where I live with family in Island Bay. The area of lawn is flat and quite large, and as I have been promoted to head gardener I look after the whole garden. I don’t have to do it but I still enjoy the challenge and results, and it keeps me reasonably fit and mentally alert. So lawn mowing is not a job for men only.

I must tell you that one day while mowing the front lawn I noticed a lady standing by the gate just looking in. I said, “Hello, do you enjoy gardening?”

She said, “Oh yes I do, but I wonder if you would let me have a turn at pushing your hand mower, something I always did years ago.”

I agreed and after several runs up and down she thanked me and went on her way smiling happily. She was about my age. I see her from time to time and she’s still smiling.

By the way, I’ve just resown some suspect patches of lawn as well as creating some new areas for more mowing.

Thank you Jo, I thoroughly enjoy reading your editorials and I’m still learning from NZ Gardener. Diana Unsworth, WELLINGTON