General Discussion

Shermann

(9,009 posts) Sun Apr 5, 2020, 10:43 AM Apr 2020

Yard work and gardening are not essential activities! [View all]

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.

118 replies

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Yard work and gardening are not essential activities! [View all] Shermann Apr 2020 OP

Actually, it probably is therapeutic, though your concerns about the store are valid... Wounded Bear Apr 2020 #1

I agree Shermann Apr 2020 #7

Also, Vitamin D is extremely important for maintaining a healthy mmune system. GoCubsGo Apr 2020 #10

I'm not a gardener, but it is healthy excercise that can be done in isolation... Wounded Bear Apr 2020 #12

Except LOwe's and Home Depot are NOT overcrowded obamanut2012 Apr 2020 #26

Probably differs with location... Wounded Bear Apr 2020 #91

Home Depot yes, Lowe's not at all. In Florida. nt Phoenix61 Apr 2020 #112

What is so hard to understand about Stay the fuck Home?!? jmg257 Apr 2020 #2

they also ship for free at some dollar amount WhiteTara Apr 2020 #44

Yep - Amazon too. Every time I think about jumping in my car, jmg257 Apr 2020 #46

Home Depot CEO is a BIG turd supporter. not_the_one Apr 2020 #62

But they will be good, some anyway. mahina Apr 2020 #103

I'm sorry but underpants Apr 2020 #3

It's a fair point Shermann Apr 2020 #9

get a salt water chlorine generator Kali Apr 2020 #63

Yeah I love the TFP forum, I'm a member Shermann Apr 2020 #88

I am going on year 12 with my SWG. ooky Apr 2020 #107

I have learned so much over there Kali Apr 2020 #113

I disagree Sherman A1 Apr 2020 #4

The city where I live sends warnings ChazII Apr 2020 #8

True enough, but you can do the bare minimum in most cases Shermann Apr 2020 #13

My city does send warnings as well Sherman A1 Apr 2020 #20

My grass will be mowed on Tuesday ChazII Apr 2020 #36

I've never heard of the dish soap/vinegar/Epsom salts thing! renate Apr 2020 #52

I use dish soap to kill ants in backyard at140 Apr 2020 #58

Oh wow, thanks! renate Apr 2020 #60

And you don't more expensive Dawn, just buy it at Dollar store at140 Apr 2020 #64

Same here. True Blue American Apr 2020 #42

I'm pretty sure they are not going to be sending warnings during the pandemic - Ms. Toad Apr 2020 #40

Yeah if landlords can't evict people right now... Shermann Apr 2020 #45

Lots of folks around me out the last couple of days DeminPennswoods Apr 2020 #22

This time of the year nurseries and lawn & garden depts are always crowded. Arkansas Granny Apr 2020 #5

Thats what I did IBEWVET Apr 2020 #104

I ordered tomato seeds today. I might be getting a late start, but we have Arkansas Granny Apr 2020 #118

You can order live plants from amazon I_UndergroundPanther Apr 2020 #117

i am surprised a Lowes is open. Agree. not essential--esp with people crowding in. The city riversedge Apr 2020 #6

A Couple Things ProfessorGAC Apr 2020 #14

Plus, it can be argued that while lawn care is not as essential, Jamastiene Apr 2020 #77

We Don't Have Enough Growth Yet ProfessorGAC Apr 2020 #93

My grass is about a foot tall in some areas, already. Jamastiene Apr 2020 #109

We Had One 60 Degree Day In March ProfessorGAC Apr 2020 #110

Most Lowes are taking action. GoCubsGo Apr 2020 #18

There are ZERO crowds in Home Depot or Lowe's, zero obamanut2012 Apr 2020 #27

I was at Lowes on Friday. At that point they weren't limiting the number in there. cwydro Apr 2020 #39

Lowes and Home Depot have online ordering and delivery/pickup options available. crickets Apr 2020 #32

Not guilty, about going to the stores. The weeds I've got keep me plenty busy. UTUSN Apr 2020 #11

Well, I guess I'm glad again that I got seeds for EVERYTHING.... LAS14 Apr 2020 #15

Gardening and yardwork are fine, it's the shopping that's problematic. n/t sl8 Apr 2020 #16

Yes you stated my actual concerns more precisely Shermann Apr 2020 #25

Agreed. My curb and driveway have never been as neatly edged as they are now. n/t rzemanfl Apr 2020 #102

pool pamdb Apr 2020 #17

Same here Shermann Apr 2020 #23

I'm okay not getting a haircut, but not mowing the lawn will have seriously negative consequences Raven123 Apr 2020 #19

What needs to be done is all staff need to wear masks. Only allow customers in who are wearing Doodley Apr 2020 #21

Hard disagree -- mental and emotional health is as important as physical health obamanut2012 Apr 2020 #24

No disagreement as long as we all STFH Shermann Apr 2020 #29

This is really good actually jimfields33 Apr 2020 #28

How about 6 feet under for... 3catwoman3 Apr 2020 #35

We'd never hear the end. He'd be repugs jfk(I know big difference, but still) jimfields33 Apr 2020 #65

One acre lot, no neighbors outside, my dad can start his garden when he wants. sarcasmo Apr 2020 #30

Anywhere in my yard that I decided to make a garden would still be at least 60 feet away Jamastiene Apr 2020 #80

My Dad has his seeds and his garden produces enough for both parents all year long. sarcasmo Apr 2020 #82

Exactly. Jamastiene Apr 2020 #86

Vegetable gardening is a means to food security..... getagrip_already Apr 2020 #31

Gardening, at least, is an essential activity. Ms. Toad Apr 2020 #33

some pools could be drained or taken down I suppose Kali Apr 2020 #115

My SIL has one - Ms. Toad Apr 2020 #116

Many walls are getting painted. And many wives are saying now that you can't work you're going gibraltar72 Apr 2020 #34

Why we are number 1 in cases - plenty of selfish justification to do just what we want to do. jmg257 Apr 2020 #37

Walmart had lots of seeds. nt leftyladyfrommo Apr 2020 #38

They are. AirmensMom Apr 2020 #41

So, the DIY stores and gardening centers here in France are closed as non-essential GoneOffShore Apr 2020 #43

Very interesting, I guess I'm not imagining things then n/t Shermann Apr 2020 #47

I garden quite a bit Mossfern Apr 2020 #48

I think Lowe's has done a commendable job dealing with this clusterfuck. DEbluedude Apr 2020 #49

Agreed! obamanut2012 Apr 2020 #69

I did go out this morning to get some seeds. logosoco Apr 2020 #50

Appliances are though. I lost my fridge at the very JCMach1 Apr 2020 #51

I bought grass fertilizer ONLINE, drove to store, they loaded it in trunk, I never got out of car at140 Apr 2020 #53

And some people are still bringing their entire families with them when they go to these places. Flaleftist Apr 2020 #54

Very bad move by family! at140 Apr 2020 #55

Yeah, same -- I think minors should not be able to go out to stores obamanut2012 Apr 2020 #71

Went to Menards earlier and they had a sign saying no one under 16 was allowed in the store. Luciferous Apr 2020 #100

Home maintenance is an essential function Rollo Apr 2020 #56

They are at my house! cwydro Apr 2020 #57

They could limit the number of people in the store at one treestar Apr 2020 #59

they already are doing that obamanut2012 Apr 2020 #73

Good thing. treestar Apr 2020 #74

I didn't see any metering at the front entrance Shermann Apr 2020 #81

Nurseries in Tallahassee have curbside delivery Darwin2019 Apr 2020 #61

So gardening is non-essential hardluck Apr 2020 #66

WHY WERE YOU THERE??? EllieBC Apr 2020 #67

Yeah, I don't quite get that. TwilightZone Apr 2020 #72

My thread title came off a bit harsh Shermann Apr 2020 #79

Chill out Shermann Apr 2020 #68

Yes, this is a serious problem, people are crowding the few remaining open stores, such as ... SWBTATTReg Apr 2020 #70

Post 43 could be the canary in the coal mine n/t Shermann Apr 2020 #75

We've got to do something to get us through this. Initech Apr 2020 #76

Yep - Let's get those gun stores open - shooting is a blast! jmg257 Apr 2020 #83

To Plant A Garden Is To Believe In Tomorrow! Botany Apr 2020 #78

Lots of gardening can be done without going to Lowes or Home Depot. yellowcanine Apr 2020 #84

I'm performing an experiment with my lawn this summer. Jamastiene Apr 2020 #87

I have big time weeds in my lawn Shermann Apr 2020 #89

Since I moved here, Jamastiene Apr 2020 #90

The yard work and gardening are not the problem, imo. Jamastiene Apr 2020 #85

Can we get a list? EllieBC Apr 2020 #92

Absurd "gotchas" on fellow forum members who are trying to helpful and informative: NO Shermann Apr 2020 #95

Put on a mask, go get whatever you deem essential EllieBC Apr 2020 #96

Right? 34,000+ new cases every day - but lets go shopping! jmg257 Apr 2020 #97

My yard Chainfire Apr 2020 #94

I've been outside planting all morning MissB Apr 2020 #98

But shopping for pool supplies is essential? Luciferous Apr 2020 #99

Open or closed? Essential businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.DC area: elleng Apr 2020 #101

Those stores are not essential and should be shut down. The people there will spread covid Meowmee Apr 2020 #105

This message was self-deleted by its author elocs Apr 2020 #106

well I am still being awakened by weedeaters Skittles Apr 2020 #108

Suit me just fine if they made it illegal. sammythecat Apr 2020 #111

I beg to differ. Yardwork is essential. yardwork Apr 2020 #114