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Help me in my garden in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, USA

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    If you like to garden and play in Nature, come spend a one or two weeks with me in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. I live in a sweet farmhouse bordering a wetland 2 miles outside of Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

    My eco-friendly home was built by a master gardener 40-odd years ago. She and her partner spent hours every day, spring through fall, working in her exquisite gardens. But that is not my life and I need help!

    I'll have 500 daffodils that brighten up the garden by April, irises and tulips in May, then dozens of peonies blooming in every direction the eye can see in mid-June, lilies all through July, and zinnias making crazy spectacles of themselves until the first frost. Every bed is crying out for attention.

    I love to garden, but 15 years ago I founded and now help to facilitate a rapidly expanding and exciting non-profit. With COVID I left my office in town and now coach and counsel private clients from my front porch or online. I travel when I can locally and internationally for work and leisure.

    I loved raising my 3 children, now adults and living busy lives elsewhere. When I'm not working or in the garden, I'm laughing with friends, visiting with my partner, dancing, hiking, or doing yoga. I have a smoke-free home.

    I'd love to have you get in touch if working on the earth in my garden and hiking the surrounding trails sounds like YOUR kind of workaday vaca!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Language practice
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Should you be interested, my home is one of 17 others in a land trust community (meaning we share the open space that surrounds our properties). You will have interesting and friendly neighbors who will wave “hi” or loan you a few eggs if we’ve run out, but won’t bother you otherwise.

    Great Barrington and the Berkshires is a cultural mecca for fascinating people. We have a vibrant farming and socially conscious community of all ages, a fabulous weekly farmers market, nationally recognized organic co-op market, and enough music, theatre, and movie options to fill your craving for arts and entertainment. And our little town was voted "Best Small Town in America" in 2012 by Smithsonian Magazine.

    I'm also a continual learner, always curious about those I meet and excited to expand my minimal knowledge of Spanish and French, should you speak those languages.

  • Help

    Help

    I'm in need of 4 to 5 hours of mulching, edging, weeding, cutting back, dividing beds, mowing the lawn, and tending my garden between mid-April and mid-November. If you have basic home repair skills there are always small projects here and there, though those skills are not essential for your stay with me. We would also share some cooking/shopping/meal prep.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
    You can contact them directly for more information.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    I live alone part of the time in a simple 4-bedroom farmhouse. The first floor is an open plan with a beautiful granite countertop kitchen and gas stove, great if you like to cook.

    I’m happy to provide healthy organic food; internet, a sweet and comfortable private bedroom with a twin bed, closet, and desk (and a loft with another twin bed); a shared bath (with shower and deep tub); and a bike for riding in and out of our lively small town 2 miles away. Smithsonian Magazine voted Great Barrington the best small town in America in 2012! Just sayin'!

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    There’s a groomed 20-minute walk through the woods around the perimeter of our community should you desire an easy walk. Or should you like more challenge you might bike a few miles to the Appalachian Trail that crosses Rt 7 just south of town or to the many other hiking trails nearby. Also there are great country roads for biking.

    We also have 4 yoga studios in town, a CrossFit club, a number of great cafés and coffee shops, fabulous shopping and dining, and a few great nightspots for fun.

    I eat a very healthy diet and love to cook great protein-rich breakfasts. I'm gluten-free and non-dairy, but have no problem stocking the kitchen with other healthy options if you're not.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have pretty decent Wi-Fi here. Sometimes spotty phone service

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 367571743543

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