Yesterday I dug three holes and planted two trees. I put the rest into some buckets. But, my knees hurt all night and I didn't sleep well at all. So, today I hired a gardener, the fun kind. I hired the 12 year old boy who lives next to us. He'll be an assistant gardener for awhile. dr told him he had to keep track of his time and present it every Friday for payday. His mom said, "make him work, don't let his mouth run away with him." Today, he filled 14 flowerpots with potting soil. He was very careful not to spill any because we paid money for it. His mom just digs dirt and mixes stuff with it. She mixes good stuff with it but I guess he doesn't think it is so good. Smelly stuff and things like that. Tomorrow he's going to help put black plastic in the garden area and plant a few tomatoes and some eggplant. I have a list of stuff I made for myself and he'll come every day after school after he gets his chores done at home. I told him and his mom that his work at home came first. He's really happy. His mom said he'd been looking for something to do but no one thought a kid could do anything. He can help though and dig holes and flower beds and pull weeds and push a lawn mower,all things that make my knees shout, "Ouch!" We'' have a good time and he'll hopefully learn something from it. dooley
It's a good way for a young man to establish a good work ethic, learn something about gardening and work for someone other than his family. Like his mom said, keep him busy. Jerry
I think you may just teach that young lad to love gardening Dooley. :-D It's great that he enjoys what he does for you and it gives him some money in his pocket too. He must be so proud of himself earning a wage at only 12 years old!!
What a great thing Dooley! I don't know who's going to benefit more from this arrangement! Wait...Yes I do... all the future generations of gardeners! Bravo to you all!
Wonderful Dooley and DR. In future it will be an asset to garden, e.g. grow your own food. Looks like he is getting a head start.
This sounds like a good deal, Dooley. Both of you guys can profit from this. I was sorry to hear that your knees were complaining the other day. I reckon that it is best not to push them too much---I suppose that you got that message too during the night. Who knows, perhaps the little guy will develop a love of plants and gardening from this--there can never be too many plant-lovers, eh?
Oh, Dooley, how like you to turn lemons (or sore knees) into lemonade! That young man will learn so much from you and get so much pleasure from his accomplishments. Be sure to make him do things right, and then tell him when he has done well.
I'm pleased for both you and the young man. You get help and he gets to feel useful. You and DR certainly have a way with children.
