Yard work and gardening are not essential activities!

[Shermann]

Well I scoped out our local Lowes yesterday for pool supplies. I was shocked at the number of people there, there were cars circling around that huge parking lot looking for spots. Many customers seemed to be buying plants and shrubs. It occurred to me what was happening. With the nice spring weather and non-essential businesses closed in SC, everybody has the same idea : yard work and gardening.

I get it, I need to get caught up myself. However this seems to be illuminating an unintended consequence of the shutdown. With fewer activities possible, everybody is zeroing in on the remaining options. This crowd was larger than any restaurant crowd, larger than any church crowd, as large as a small concert audience.

This is a problem. Perhaps the parks need to be reopened?

In any event, I did not go inside. It's not worth it people.

[Wounded Bear]

1. Actually, it probably is therapeutic, though your concerns about the store are valid...

Getting out in the sunlight might be good for people. I believe that UV kills the virus. But congregating in big box stores is unwise.

[Shermann]

7. I agree

I have so many weeds I can kill a day just working on those. So I don't need supplies for that.

Anything else you might do in the yard requires supplies, and they tend to be cost prohibitive or flat impossible to ship.

[GoCubsGo]

10. Also, Vitamin D is extremely important for maintaining a healthy mmune system.

The best way to maintain sufficient levels is to go out into the sunshine. And, doing yardwork is good exercise, which helps fend off the various conditions that make one more vulnerable to the virus, such as hypertension and obesity.

[Wounded Bear]

12. I'm not a gardener, but it is healthy excercise that can be done in isolation...

so I can't argue against that. Overcrowding at the store is definitely a concern now, though.

[obamanut2012]

26. Except LOwe's and Home Depot are NOT overcrowded

They are ALL limiting the amount of folks in their stores, like Target, Trader Joe's, Publix, etc. I had to wait about three minutes for someone to leave so I could enter Lowe's.

[Wounded Bear]

91. Probably differs with location...

Anecdotal evidence and all that. Good to see your venue is doing that.

[Phoenix61]

112. Home Depot yes, Lowe's not at all. In Florida. nt

[jmg257]

2. What is so hard to understand about Stay the fuck Home?!?

Lots of things I need at Home Depot, yard work gloves, cleaners, flash lights, batteries, etc etc - but they are NOT essential.

They are not food, and they are not medicine.

Stay the hell home!!

[WhiteTara]

44. they also ship for free at some dollar amount

that makes it easier to stay home.

[jmg257]

46. Yep - Amazon too. Every time I think about jumping in my car,

I realize I can just order it and stop the unessential shopping.

[not_the_one]

62. Home Depot CEO is a BIG turd supporter.

I'm just sayin'.

I only go there as an absolute last resort.

We should vote with our dollars. It may not always be an option, but as much as possible.

[mahina]

103. But they will be good, some anyway.

Okinawa sweet potatoes
Okinawa spinach
Kalo
Yard long beans
Soy beans
Eggplant
Kabocha
Peanuts
Bananas
More kalo
La’i

All from seeds or kitchen waste
most three weeks in
Getting ready to share w the new community garden we’re working on

In shifts

W 10-12’ between us

So have to disagree

[underpants]

3. I'm sorry but

Is the pool essential?

Last Saturday I was at the back and right in front of me was a Lowe's. They had pallets of mulch and things in a corner of the parking lot. It is that time of year and frankly people need something to do.

[Shermann]

9. It's a fair point

I need liquid chlorine and that's a good item to stockpile right now for a variety of reasons.

I don't need it that bad though. I drove off so I don't have to answer for anything.

I may let the pool go this year or simply shut it down. I haven't decided.

[Kali]

63. get a salt water chlorine generator

still will need to get salt and cheap water softener salt from the big box store, but only one trip

cost breakdown is same for liquid but makes maintenance super easy, replace cell every 3 to 5 years

whenever I get a chance I recommend https://www.troublefreepool.com/forums/ because it is such a great site, and the info is top notch

[Shermann]

88. Yeah I love the TFP forum, I'm a member

I've mulled over the idea of doing the SWG. Maybe this year's the year?

I'm actually way overdue for a new liner. Those pool projects stack up I tell ya.

[ooky]

107. I am going on year 12 with my SWG.

It's a purchase you won't regret.

[Kali]

113. I have learned so much over there

I'm Pv2 and mostly read and dream in the under constuction forum but also contribute a bit in above ground. I just have a small bag of water on sticks (cheap intex pool) but it works!

I hear you on liners, my poor pool is on its last legs, trying to get it to make 7 years in the AZ sun this year.

[Sherman A1]

4. I disagree

One need maintain their property keeping up with yard work is part of that.

The garden center may have been overcrowded but, the work needs to go on and many folks have time to do it now.

[ChazII]

8. The city where I live sends warnings

if your yard is not properly maintained. I do not live in an area that has an HOA but the city will cite you if you do not heed their messages. So I am agreeing with your post and consider lawn work necessary. I have desert land scape in my front yard and grass in the back for my two dogs.

[Shermann]

13. True enough, but you can do the bare minimum in most cases

Pull the weeds, trim the hedges, mow the lawn, that sort of thing.

These people looked to be shooting for their HOA Lawn of the Month awards.

[Sherman A1]

20. My city does send warnings as well

The will also cut your grass if it gets too long, but you will be cited for that.

The grass, weeds, shrubs and such will not take a break for a virus. The work needs to be done and I will be cutting my grass today.

[ChazII]

36. My grass will be mowed on Tuesday

by a neighbor's teenage son. The son will bring their lawn mower to the house and mow the back lawn and I will be pulling weeds. I am also using the Dawn dish soap, white vinegar, and Epsom salt mixture for the weeds in the alley. We are already at high allergy alerts here in Phoenix. I need to consider my neighbors with breathing issues who don't need grasses hamper their breathing. Right now we can keep our homes open at night or early morning hours to keep the inside cool as the days get warmer.

Keeping the grass trimmed not only helps visually but more important it helps those who have health issues. Thank you for doing your part.

[renate]

52. I've never heard of the dish soap/vinegar/Epsom salts thing!

Thank you!

[at140]

58. I use dish soap to kill ants in backyard

The soap seems to dissolve their protective layer on body or something, and they soon die.

[renate]

60. Oh wow, thanks!

We have ants too! This is great... thank you!

[at140]

64. And you don't more expensive Dawn, just buy it at Dollar store

and I squeeze a stream all around the house, and no more ants coming in!

[True Blue American]

42. Same here.

I am lucky enough to have a great neighbor/ School Teacher who supplements his income by mowing.

I signed up with a good Lawn care service so my family would not have to travel so far.
I talk to both on the phone, am not in contact.

But would pay a fine if I did not.

I really miss my Y Pool but that is the least of the worries now.

[Ms. Toad]

40. I'm pretty sure they are not going to be sending warnings during the pandemic -

or, if they do, that you are free to ignore them.

[Shermann]

45. Yeah if landlords can't evict people right now...

...I'm pretty sure you can tell your HOA or city or whomever to kiss off.

[DeminPennswoods]

22. Lots of folks around me out the last couple of days

doing yard work, planting flowers, mowing the lawn, cleaning up the branches that came down during the fall and winter.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. This time of the year nurseries and lawn & garden depts are always crowded.

I've started some seeds that I ordered online, but not planning on shopping for live plants anytime soon.

[IBEWVET]

104. Thats what I did

ordered seeds, peat cups, and potting soil from amazon. No way am I going to lowes for that stuff

[Arkansas Granny]

118. I ordered tomato seeds today. I might be getting a late start, but we have

a long growing season. I found a packet of mixed heirloom varieties, San Marzano and a cherry tomato that's suitable for containers.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

117. You can order live plants from amazon

Planning on getting a varigated ficus tree.

[riversedge]

6. i am surprised a Lowes is open. Agree. not essential--esp with people crowding in. The city

needs to take some kind of action to prevent these large crowds. Or the store should.

[ProfessorGAC]

14. A Couple Things

First, maintaining one's home is not nonessential.
Second, more than 15% of sales and 25% of tool rentals are to building professionals. That segment is growing, especially at Lowe's. (Their growth is substantially outpacing Home Depot in that segment)
Building contractors have been deemed essential in most stay at home states. So, their source of supply need to be essential, too.

[Jamastiene]

77. Plus, it can be argued that while lawn care is not as essential,

gardening might mean the difference between eating and not, depending on how bad things get. I'm letting my lawn grow, but I have reasons other than Covid 19 for that. I'm letting it recover, more than anything right now, from a bad mow job where the person skinned it.

[ProfessorGAC]

93. We Don't Have Enough Growth Yet

When I did spring cleanup, I ran my Ego mower over to pick up leaf remnants.
So, I'm probably good for a couple weeks.
I really like that electric mower!

[Jamastiene]

109. My grass is about a foot tall in some areas, already.

In other areas, it is around 8 inches now.

Spring really faked us out here for about 5 weeks straight starting in early February. It's cooler now at night, but it's going right back to almost 90 for several days straight this week. We probably won't see another freeze or frost now.

In the south, in my area, at least, spring usually starts in mid-February, and we get 10 months of the year of warm weather, like 60 degrees or higher almost every day.

[ProfessorGAC]

110. We Had One 60 Degree Day In March

Then 3 days later it snowed!
Dropped to hi of 42 Friday, but warmed up last couple & for the next 4 or 5.
My lawn will probably roar to life in the next 6-10 days.

[GoCubsGo]

18. Most Lowes are taking action.

I was in one this morning, because I needed some fire ant bait. They had employees on hand to enforce the social distancing. The parking lots were crowded with vehicles, but it didn't reflect on what I saw in the store as far as human crowds. I think a lot of the vehicles belonged to the employees. Also, a lot of parking lot space was taken up by loads and loads of bags of soil and mulch and landscaping rocks. It was nowhere near as crowded as one would expect judging by the parking lot.

[obamanut2012]

27. There are ZERO crowds in Home Depot or Lowe's, zero

There limit the number allowed in at once -- I had to wait three minutes to get in to Lowe's, and the store was soooo empty.

And yes, these stores are essential.

[cwydro]

39. I was at Lowes on Friday. At that point they weren't limiting the number in there.

It was very busy in the garden section when I looked.

[crickets]

32. Lowes and Home Depot have online ordering and delivery/pickup options available.

Both companies have also apparently put new protocols in place to take social distancing into account with marked floors and plexiglass shields for checkers, even monitoring/regulating the number of people in store at a time. I don't blame either company for staying open, but I do think people need to order online more so they (and their germs) can stay home.

It makes sense to try not to close businesses like Home Depot and Lowes -- they provide needed goods (YMMV) that keep people busy and help maintain property values during a time where every little bit is going to count. Some people are wisely starting food gardens now, which is always a good thing. More and more people may want or need to do this in the near future.

All that said, requiring delivery or pickup only of home/garden center goods might be a very good idea.

[UTUSN]

11. Not guilty, about going to the stores. The weeds I've got keep me plenty busy.

[LAS14]

15. Well, I guess I'm glad again that I got seeds for EVERYTHING....

... I normally plant, since I was worried the nurseries would be closed. Sounds like they're not, but that it's not worth going to one to shop!

Well, actually, to be fair, the one nursery I've heard about is doing pickup business only.

[sl8]

16. Gardening and yardwork are fine, it's the shopping that's problematic. n/t

[Shermann]

25. Yes you stated my actual concerns more precisely

Not as alluring of a thread title though.

[rzemanfl]

102. Agreed. My curb and driveway have never been as neatly edged as they are now. n/t

[pamdb]

17. pool

I'm just really really really hoping we can even get our pool open in late May. We've cancelled all our vacation plans, just planning on hanging out in the backyard this summer and the pool is large part of it. WE have someone come and do it, and he is friend. i wonder if that counts?

[Shermann]

23. Same here

If I'm going to be home seven days I week I hope to not be staring at a green pool the whole time...

I've been running liquid chlorine the past few years. I tried to switch back to the chlorinator for this season but it has some sort of plumbing issue. Damn. I haven't given up.

[Raven123]

19. I'm okay not getting a haircut, but not mowing the lawn will have seriously negative consequences

Just kidding, but I have never felt so fortunate to have a yard. Being outside is therapeutic and healthy. I feel for those who don’t have that option.

Having said that, anything that requires a trip to a garden center is on hold.

[Doodley]

21. What needs to be done is all staff need to wear masks. Only allow customers in who are wearing

masks. Customers should wear a sticker that reminds other customers to keep their distance. Children should either not be allowed or stay with parents.

[obamanut2012]

24. Hard disagree -- mental and emotional health is as important as physical health

at any time, but especially now.

I loathe gardening and yard work, so instead I've been working on some of my cosplay builds, including going to Lowe's and getting some sintra and a couple other things. We all need stuff to make us feel "up" and emotionally and mentally stable.

And, HD and Lowe's are two chains limiting the amount of folks allowed in a store at one time, and mine was not crowded at all because of this.

[Shermann]

29. No disagreement as long as we all STFH

[jimfields33]

28. This is really good actually

Exercise and outdoors. Maybe the six feet should be better but telling people not to beautify their grounds seems terrible. It can be a one person job. This and painting the inside of the house seems like activities that have increased.

[3catwoman3]

35. How about 6 feet under for...

...Trump?

[jimfields33]

65. We'd never hear the end. He'd be repugs jfk(I know big difference, but still)

After November ok. St. Ronnie is more then enough. Still don’t get that.

[sarcasmo]

30. One acre lot, no neighbors outside, my dad can start his garden when he wants.

[Jamastiene]

80. Anywhere in my yard that I decided to make a garden would still be at least 60 feet away

from my nearest neighbors. That is, taking into account the amount of sunlight and available land. I only have .68 acre, but I could still manage to have a garden and be more than 10 times the recommended distance away from other people. Personally, I think gardening is a great social distancing activity right now and if civilization goes to hell in a hand basket, people are gonna need food. More power to the gardeners of the world, imho.

Besides, most Lowe's stores are huge and have huge aisles. It is hard to get close to another customer in most Lowe's stores except at checkout. In that case, just wait until the person ahead in line is gone and stay the recommended 6 feet away.

[sarcasmo]

82. My Dad has his seeds and his garden produces enough for both parents all year long.

The extra food will mean less grocery store trips.

[Jamastiene]

86. Exactly.

I think it is an excellent social distancing activity and one everyone who wants to should either try if they haven't before, or do if they love it. I don't see gardening as a problem, unless there is something I am missing. Gardening is great.

[getagrip_already]

31. Vegetable gardening is a means to food security.....

Growing your own food has a lot of benefits. Don't knock it.

Flowers? Well, maybe they are nonessential but it helps with a sense of purpose and achievement.

[Ms. Toad]

33. Gardening, at least, is an essential activity.

My gardening recently has been deck gardening (herbs & tomatoes), but in the past our garden has supplied a substantial amount of the food we eat each summer. It is as essential as grocery stores are.

As for pool supplies . . .

But the number admitted at one time should be governed by the same rules that are being implemented in other places.

[Kali]

115. some pools could be drained or taken down I suppose

but many have to be maintained or they can become a health hazard - primarily because of mosquitoes. the more permanent versions of pools can be ruined by draining either from liners going bad, above ground versions collapsing, finishes being ruined or even shells floating out of the ground if the water table is high.

and they are a benefit for folks staying home in terms of recreation and exercise. they aren't all just decor for rich people, many lower and middle income families have them.

[Ms. Toad]

116. My SIL has one -

And she's had no problem allowing ot to go for a season withough opening it.

[gibraltar72]

34. Many walls are getting painted. And many wives are saying now that you can't work you're going

to build or fix that thing we've been talking about.

[jmg257]

37. Why we are number 1 in cases - plenty of selfish justification to do just what we want to do.

Trees and shrubs, honey do lists, trips to the dump, church, whatever - as long as YOU think its essential!

World 1,245,250
USA 323,516
Spain 130,759
Italy 128,948
Germany 98,765
France 89,953
China 81,669

How stupid we are, to lead the world!

[leftyladyfrommo]

38. Walmart had lots of seeds. nt

[AirmensMom]

41. They are.

But only if you are satisfied with what you already have in your yard and doing the yard work and gardening are therapeutic. My existing plants and shrubs keep me busy enough. And being outside in the sun, when the sun is out and it's warm enough, does make me forget how not-normal everything is. That seems essential.

There's no way I'm going to Lowe's to buy more plants and shrubs or anything else, though. I do think Lowe's needs to stay open for if someone's toilet cracks and leaks all over the floor. You know, actual essential stuff.

Unfortunately, there are too many people who are so used to doing whatever they want that no stay-at-home order or suggestion is going to affect them ... until they're sick. I'd be willing to guess that plenty of churches in my area are full today as well.

[GoneOffShore]

43. So, the DIY stores and gardening centers here in France are closed as non-essential

Professional builders and gardening services can order on line and do pickups curbside, but not the general public.

Just before France went 'sous confinement'(under confinement) there was a huge surge in sales at French equivalents of Home Depot and Lowes.

[Shermann]

47. Very interesting, I guess I'm not imagining things then n/t

[Mossfern]

48. I garden quite a bit

I'm a certified Master Gardner in my State and have a project that I manage on a volunteer basis.
I'm also in a high risk category for covid19 and live in NJ where we're getting hit hard with the pandemic.

I'd love to plant for the year, but instead will just pull weeds and make the soil pretty.
I just don't think it's worth risking my life or those of my team to go to any store.

This will be a sabbatical year for my gardens.
If the situation gets better, then we can plant perennials and bulbs in the fall.

Looking into mail order plants too.

[DEbluedude]

49. I think Lowe's has done a commendable job dealing with this clusterfuck.

Limited people, notices everywhere in the stores and distancing tape on the floor at registers. They are making people aware.

[obamanut2012]

69. Agreed!

[logosoco]

50. I did go out this morning to get some seeds.

It was at a farm supply type store in a semi rural area so not so many people. And it will be the last time i go out until...I guess my yogurt expires?

But I told the cashier, who was behind her plexiglass shield, that I am buying seeds so i think life will go on!

I think i would consider pool supplies to be essential. That's a lot of water investment.Keeping it well maintained now will save time later. And pools are good especially if you have kids and the warm weather is coming soon.

[JCMach1]

51. Appliances are though. I lost my fridge at the very

Beginning of our stay at home in Dallas.

It was panic mode trying to find a new fridge. Repair was not even a remote option.

[at140]

53. I bought grass fertilizer ONLINE, drove to store, they loaded it in trunk, I never got out of car

and never came close to anybody. It helps to get out of the house, get some sun shining on my face.
The car traffic is so low now, it is a joy to drive.

MOST IMPORTANT STEP: After I unloaded 2 bags of fertilizer from car trunk, I stored it in garage,
THEN STRAIGHT TO BATH ROOM TO WASH HANDS WITH SOAP........because the fertilizer bags were touched RECENTLY by others.
The virus if present will be dead in 48 hours on the bags. I won't touch the bags for couple of days.

[Flaleftist]

54. And some people are still bringing their entire families with them when they go to these places.

From what I've seen around here, crowding could be almost cut in half if only one member of the household went out.

I know there may be some single parents with no one to watch their young kids, but that is not the majority of these couples/groups.

[at140]

55. Very bad move by family!

No wonder covid-19 keeps going and going like the energizer bunny.

[obamanut2012]

71. Yeah, same -- I think minors should not be able to go out to stores

Walking, riding bikes, etc., yes.

I'm not seeing as many kids with parents as I was before, though.

[Luciferous]

100. Went to Menards earlier and they had a sign saying no one under 16 was allowed in the store.

But when I was at the checkout the people behind me had their 2 little kids with them

[Rollo]

56. Home maintenance is an essential function

Not all who go to Home Depot or Lowes are just for gardening. There are lots of things that are needed just to keep one's home going. Esp if one is accustomed to be in a DIY-er.

I'm glad these places are still open and helping to keep us in our homes!

[cwydro]

57. They are at my house!

More mowing to be done today, fertilizing and planting.

I grow my own veggies, but I also like flowering shrubs and so on.

[treestar]

59. They could limit the number of people in the store at one

time and then make lines six feet apart to mark where to wait in line. Then people would perhaps decide not to wait in line or come back another time.

[obamanut2012]

73. they already are doing that

if the OP had entered the store, they would have seen that. I da to wait a few minutes at mine to be able to go in, because they were only allowing a very low number in the store at once.

[treestar]

74. Good thing.

I saw that outside the liquor store yesterday.

[Shermann]

81. I didn't see any metering at the front entrance

No way that was a small crowd inside. Maybe they have that in place by now.

[Darwin2019]

61. Nurseries in Tallahassee have curbside delivery

You call and place your order and they come and load it into your car.

[hardluck]

66. So gardening is non-essential

But pool supplies are essential. Got it. Didn’t see that in my state’s stay at home order but I’ll add it to the list.

[EllieBC]

67. WHY WERE YOU THERE???

Seriously?

Let me get this right. You were in Lowe’s but the other people there were wrong to be. YOUR business there was essential and theirs definitely was not?

Give your damn head a shake.

[TwilightZone]

72. Yeah, I don't quite get that.

There have been several posts like this on DU. One was complaining that people were still out driving, which the poster noted while driving to pick up stuff from work. The irony seemed a bit lost.

[Shermann]

79. My thread title came off a bit harsh

Didn't mean it that way, my apologies.

[Shermann]

68. Chill out

Nobody is shaming anybody. We're the smart ones, after all.

Nobody is saying don't buy yard supplies.

All I've asserted is we should avoid crowds. That's it. I didn't go in so I have nothing to answer for.

Be aware and be advised. Scout out your location and find a time when it isn't as busy. Buy your items during the week if you want to work in the lawn on the weekends.

[SWBTATTReg]

70. Yes, this is a serious problem, people are crowding the few remaining open stores, such as ...

Home Depot in STLMO. The health department and police department got involved because they were concerned about the number of people inside the store. Thus, HD implemented a no more than 100 people inside a store at a time (good, I do worry about the SO, being in constant touch w/ outsiders, because I know that if some are sick, they'll still go out, not giving a damn about the rest of us).

Personally if you want my opinion, I want them to close the damn store so my SO will be safe. Period. I don't give a flying hoot about the dishwasher that you might be considering buying, etc. It can wait.

If this continues to be abused (the number of people flooding into such places), I got a feeling that these people are going to cause these stores to end up being closed because of their stupid project A, B, or C, that is not even remotely related to the CV. Idiots.

This is a serious situation, people. Get this through your heads. Or, it is going to kill people. Plain and simple. These stores are open because they are dealing w/ critical or essential products / services. The key word here is 'essential'.

[Shermann]

75. Post 43 could be the canary in the coal mine n/t

[Initech]

76. We've got to do something to get us through this.

Watching TV reruns can only get you so far.

[jmg257]

83. Yep - Let's get those gun stores open - shooting is a blast!

Vitamin D, too!

[Botany]

78. To Plant A Garden Is To Believe In Tomorrow!

n/t

[yellowcanine]

84. Lots of gardening can be done without going to Lowes or Home Depot.

You can order seeds and even plants online. Yes, delivery is more expensive but think of all the gas you are saving by staying mostly at home.

[Jamastiene]

87. I'm performing an experiment with my lawn this summer.

I'm going to keep weeds away from the house, out about 6 feet or so, and keep a path cleared to the car and around it, but I'm letting the rest grow. I have other reasons for doing it, other than Covid-19, long story, but I want to see what interesting native species of plants/bushes/trees volunteer to grow.

I don't think it will kill us to let the lawn go, if we decide to, but gardening seems like a great and SAFE idea to me. I order my seeds and any extra non-compost supplied soil and fertilizers I might need online for my container gardening. I don't see gardening as a bad thing right now and if I am doing it, it means it can be done entirely from buying stuff online or by saving seeds from years before. I don't usually buy the stuff local where I am, because it's Trump country. I like to avoid them when I can, especially in the pursuit of hobbies that make me happy. I don't want them screwing it up. I have to deal with them enough as is. So, online, it is.

[Shermann]

89. I have big time weeds in my lawn

But I can honestly say I've never had to clear a path to the car.

[Jamastiene]

90. Since I moved here,

it has been an exercise in how to control Japanese knotweed and Chinese Wisteria to keep both from coming into the house at night and choking me to death or using my living body as fertilizer to grow more, lol.

Look up what Japanese knotweed can do to a paved road, when it is still just a baby seedling, no less, or what it can do to the foundation of a BRICK house on YouTube sometime. That will give you an idea of what I am dealing with. THAT, I will still have to fight, and lose, this summer anyhow. The rest of the lawn, I'm leaving alone.

It is wild where I live. My lawn grows about a foot every week when it is warmer weather, which is about 10 months of the year here. It is full of all kinds of wild stuff. I do have to clear a path to the car at least every couple of weeks or so. Trust me. It gets really tall if I'm not careful. I'll do my path just to make sure I can get to the car. The driveway, at least, has gravel and stays pretty clear, but where I park at the end of the driveway does get wild. You would not believe what Japanese knotweed can do and what wisteria can do on such a wild property.

I loved the place because it is rough this way though. Red clay, cow killers, red imported fire ants, ground hornets, the whole nine yards. It is an exercise in letting Nature kick your ass while you see how far you can get each summer without large equipment. I have usually had help. This summer, I do not. It is going to be interesting, to say the least. At least I don't use a standard gas powered mower though. I have a special weed eater (electric), built based on plans I submitted, which really surprised me, and that is how I am going to try to handle it. Wish me luck!

[Jamastiene]

85. The yard work and gardening are not the problem, imo.

I don't know if you have a smaller Lowe's or one of the supercenters, but at the supercenters, it is kind of hard to get that close to another customer, except at checkout. They have huge, wide aisles, and lots of open space to get away from anyone who does enter that six foot no-go space.

I can understand ignoring mowing the grass a while. I am going to ignore mine this year to see what volunteers to grow, i.e. evergreen native species of bushes and plants. I want more evergreens in my yard. I never wanted as much of my yard mowed as everyone seems to want to mow anyhow. I'm thinking about seeing what it gives me if I don't mow this year, but instead make a path to the car and clear out weeds up against the house. I want to see what happens with it now that the worst volunteer mowing offender is no longer welcome on my property. I had a falling out with my family last November. They need to stay away anyhow. Long story, but this will be my chance to not have a skinned down to the dirt yard and less erosion problems, considering the fact that I live on a hill. I have repeatedly told the offender that he is causing me a nightmare and endangering both my home and my neighbors' homes. I'm glad the falling out with that part of my family happened, considering how they did me. Trust me. It's for the better for more than just my yard. For me, it has been a much needed relief from abuse and gaslighting from them.

Gardening, though, gardening is golden. You won't be that close to anyone doing the gardening. I have .68 acres. Taking into account sunlight and available space on the southern side of my house and the shape of my property, I would still be about 50 to 60 feet away from my nearest neighbors. That is, IF I decided to do an in ground garden. What I actually plan to do is make a garden in my planters and make some extra planters. I already have all but one of the seeds that I need. I order heirloom seeds online though. I can skip that one thing this year and still have plenty to do to keep myself entertained and have some fun with it. The plants are on the long ends and still far away from any neighbors.

I can see not wanting people packed in stores, but the gardening itself, I don't see as any kind of rule breaking for safety. Unless there is something I am missing. Composting and saving some seeds from one year to the next, or getting them online or through some other remote form of trade can keep you right at home to garden with no need to go to the big box stores though.

[EllieBC]

92. Can we get a list?

Of essential trips and items to buy.

So far today:

Pool supplies YES
Garden supplies NO
Ice cream NO


What else is ok or not ok to go and buy? And who appointed the Essentials judges?

[Shermann]

95. Absurd "gotchas" on fellow forum members who are trying to helpful and informative: NO

Not to mention that I already apologized for the poorly written thread title.

[EllieBC]

96. Put on a mask, go get whatever you deem essential

and assume everyone else is doing the same.

And enjoy your pool because that’ll be relaxing this summer if we are all still stuck living like this.

[jmg257]

97. Right? 34,000+ new cases every day - but lets go shopping!

Not all church-goers, I would think.

[Chainfire]

94. My yard

could win the dump of the month award before I went into a Slowes or a Home Despot to buy some damn petunias. Priorities people!

[MissB]

98. I've been outside planting all morning

Of course I also started all the veggies I was planting in the basement late this winter so...

Had a neighbor walk thru while I was out. We chatted. She kept 6’ away.

Lovely to be out in the sun.

My English cousin gets an hour outside a day for exercise. If her city doesn’t mind themselves this weekend then the city won’t even allow that.

[Luciferous]

99. But shopping for pool supplies is essential?

[elleng]

101. Open or closed? Essential businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.DC area:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/what-is-an-essential-business/2020/03/23/83fadd6a-6d53-11ea-a3ec-70d7479d83f0_story.html

*In Maryland and D.C., most retail stores have been asked to close, but big box stores like Home Depot are allowed to remain open, along with auto-repair shops and bike shops. Virginia allows brick-and-mortar retail stores to stay open as long as they serve fewer than 10 people at a time. . .

Here are the official orders from the District, Maryland and Virginia. And here’s a quick listing of what you need to know throughout the region:

Open:
●●●Healthcare providers like hospitals and clinics.

●Grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, and farmers markets with restrictions.

●State parks in Virginia and Maryland, and Rock Creek Park in the District.

●Banks and other financial institutions.

●Laundromats and dry cleaners.

●Home improvement stores (like Home Depot), hardware stores, building supply retailers, auto repair shops.

●Plumbers, electricians, HVAC service and cable, phone and Internet providers.

●Pet stores.

●Restaurant takeout and delivery. Food trucks are also allowed to continue operating.

●Beer, wine and liquor stores.

● Stores that help people maintain modes of transport, such as bike shops and auto-repair shops.

What the stay-at-home orders in the DMV mean for you

Closed across the region:
●Theaters, performing arts centers, nightclubs, concert venues, museums and other indoor entertainment centers.

●Fitness centers, gyms and other indoor sports facilities.

●Beauty salons, barbershops, tanning salons, tattoo shops, spas, massage studios. (In Maryland, they do not need to close but must regularly disinfect and follow CDC guidelines on social distancing.)

●Casinos, racetracks and historic horse-racing facilities.

●Bowling alleys, skating rinks, arcades, amusement parks, trampoline parks, fairs, arts and craft facilities, aquariums, zoos, escape rooms, indoor shooting ranges, public and private social clubs.

Also closed in the District:
●Recreation centers and playgrounds, public parks, athletic fields and basketball courts.

●Door-to-door solicitations and tour services.

●Clothing stores.

[Meowmee]

105. Those stores are not essential and should be shut down. The people there will spread covid

D

[Skittles]

108. well I am still being awakened by weedeaters

[sammythecat]

111. Suit me just fine if they made it illegal.

Was never able to get any real pleasure from yard work and gardening. That's one big reason I like the winter.

[yardwork]

114. I beg to differ. Yardwork is essential.

All kidding aside, getting outside to garden has been essential to my mental health and very good for my physical health while otherwise cooped up at home.

As long as physical distancing is observed, the money people spend at their local garden stores is helping keep people employed and businesses going.