OMG....you couldn't make this up!!!!

[Grannyof4]

I always try to use local people for any work. A few weeks ago I got a letter along with a business card from some local gardeners. I contacted them with a view to doing some digging as my knees are not up to it. I don't know whether to scream at them, give them both a kick up the ar*e or laugh. I have never seen 2 such disorganised people in my life. They were late arriving despite me having given them detailed instructions and in fact phoned me as they were sitting outside my next door neighbour!!!! I explained and showed them what I wanted doing: 2 narrow strips to weed and dig over, this is where my veg will go and rose a bed to turn over and weed, a small raised bed to weed and turn over and a patio to weed but that is not bad. I think they are joined at the hip, they both started on the patio and after half an hour had done an area about 4ft wide and 8ft long!!! They don't even have the right tools, they are using screw drivers!! Anyway decided to ask them to leave that and get on with the digging. Now instead of one starting on one border and the other on another area, they are both working on about the same sq.cm!!!!! I honestly daren't go out.....

[LittleBrownFrog]

Are you paying by the hour?

[Maggie1]

They are obviously after a quick buck, especially if they are weeding with screwdrivers. Are they being paid by the hour Grannyof4 if so I'd get rid.
I don't know your circumstances but if you are a pensioner then you may be able to get help from your council. They can advise you of business that don't rip you off or some councils have community workers that clear and dig gardens.

[Steve the Gas]

Do they seem/sound local?
Or just young and idle.

[Grannyof4]

No, they are local............honestly it is laughable but I think they have speeded up a bit now. I am outside working as well. Yes it is by the hour but don't worry I have my stop watch on them. My soil is beautiful and light so it is not exactly hard work. The younger of the 2 obviously doesn't really want to be doing this. Will be interesting to see if they clear up after themselves. I certainly wouldn't dare let them in the proper garden...

[Lillia]

Wonder if they'll ask you to recommend them?

[Grannyof4]

Sadly I seem to have lost their card as well........

[madmum]

Doesn't it make your blood boil We had a young chap put cards through the door offering window cleaning .Always willing to help out young enterprising peeps i got him to give us a quote and he came the next day to do the job.....When he came next time he said would i mind if he did just the downstairs at the front 'cos they were too high and it bothered him...........!!!I lost his card too

[Annie]

Sorry Granny but the way you wrote that just made me , its not funny really but gardening with a screwdriver . Better luck next time

[Grannyof4]

Well they have gone. I decided against them doing the patio as they would have still been here at Christmas. I wouldn't recommend them as they are so messy. However, the digging is done and at least my knees are grateful. I did say to them the digging looked OK but was not happy with the trail of mess they had left....so they got deducted half an hour as I have got to clean it up and also hose down all the paths!!!!! I don't somehow think they will make it in the gardening world.

[Totally Scrambled]

If they could find another mate they could become tree fellers.
Dom

[Grannyof4]

If they could find another mate they could become tree fellers.
Dom

Groans in agony..........

[Totally Scrambled]

I have to keep in practice with the dad jokes so I can suitably embarass my teenage daughters in front of their friends
Dom

[p.penn]

Ha ha ha Dom! Somehow I imagine you already do that very successfully!!!

[Totally Scrambled]

You should see the colour they go if I dance
Dom