Clay soil

Hi again Quercus. I think the best you can do is to point out the fact that you're not happy doing it this way, but if that's how they want it, that's how they can have it. That way, everyone understands. Cheers...freddy.

 

All you can do is explain your experienced point of view, but in the end its their decision. Put up a decent defence for your point of view and see what they say.

 

OK, I hesitate to ask this. How long did their previous gardener last?

 

I'm not sure if your getting at this, but "do you know why the previous gardener left"?

 

To my mind Quercus they are paying for your expertise and gardening knowledge. Ask them WHY it should be rolled and then tell them why it SHOULDN`T be rolled.:thumb: Have confidence in your abilities.:gnthb:

 

I've E mailed the RHS advise centre... (with the initial question on here).... to see what they say.

I'll report back!

 

You dont value our response? :(

Why bother?

 

I do value your response!... I've been here for a month, the last gardener left under a cloud. The owners don't understand why all their gardeners in the past don't listen to their advise.

I'm trying to find just one person, book reference or anything that will back their ideas, then I might be prepared to give it a go... but everyone is saying firmly that its a bad idea.

 

The owners don't understand why all their gardeners in the past don't listen to their advise.

Could it be because they are wrong? I think with that bit of information, I would be bloody minded and do EXACTLY what they say.:gnthb:

 

Roll the ground, then ask them what you have to do next.

 

Yesterday she tells me not to "tread down the compost/muck heap... she can do that herself."

.... I was looking forward to turning it!

 

I hope you are a very, very, very patient person.:gnthb: Me being me I would tell her not to bother treading it down as I am going to turn it.:rotfl: And could you please put the Roller back in the garage.:hehe:

 

Id tell them not to be so silly , those on here who know me can attain to this!!! All you'll do is cause compaction, pure stupidity. I wont undertake bad practice, paid to or not and I certainly wont suffer fools not least those trying to tell me my job.

The analogy of a farmer is not correct 100%, on clay certainly locally to here they'd run a chain harrow, power harrow or similar over when the clods are dry to shatter them then drill, no rolls other than cambridges.

I guess id now have told them to find another gardener !!!!

 

Quercus, can you afford not to work for them? If so, tell them they are wrong, backed up with the advice from other members here, and tell them that this is why they can't keep gardeners.

Incredible isn't it? Would they tell a gas engineer who is coming round to fit a new boiler he was doing it wrong? Course not! But so many people don't look at gardening as a skill, based on learning and experience.

If you need the work, then you'll have to go the diplomatic route...but is it worth your peace of mind?

 

"But so many people don't look at gardening as a skill, based on learning and experience"

I don't think the analogy with a Gas Fitter is a good-fit

Unlike Gas, where they are unlikely to have any skill unless that was their profession, in Gardening they may well have been doing it all their life ... just now need a gardener because they are not fit enough any more, or they have always owned a large garden and always taken a keen interest but always had someone to do the gardening work.

I have been gardening all my life, and for sure I don't know everything, but I would expect anyone I employed to work in my garden to do it my way! (although I would like to think I'd listen to their opinion)