So this morning I am having my first cup of coffee and the pastor of the Baptist church shows up with a backpack sprayer on his back to spray weeds. My mother-in-law attends there, and she asked him once many months ago if she could borrow the sprayer.

So this morning unannounced here he is at my front door.

He sprayed the back yard which is about 40 x 100 feet.

My question is what is the labor and spray worth so I can make a donation to his church as he won't take anything from me.

Usually I make arrangements to either pay for services, or trade services for services, and I am not used to receiving gifts of time and labor.

Also I usually get out the diesel and a match and burn the back yard off due to the nature of the weeds (goat heads, tumbleweed - Russian Thistle, and other weeds).

If I know the approximate value I can either put a donation in the church box, or do something nice for him and his wife.

You see I give better than I receive gifts.

Thank you for looking at this and for any input.

This morning I am feeling humbled.

Buy him a 50.00 cert for a restaurant for him and his wife.

I would guess $30-50 depending on what labor prices go for in your area.

How long did it take him? I'd imagine if someone came to do that there would be a minimum charge, probably $75 plus materials of another $10-$25.

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You see I give better than I receive gifts.

Yep. There is your answer. Say thank you and pay it forward.

It's probable that the pastor would rather give than receive, also. Don't give him something directly like a gift certificate.
If you decide to make a donation to his church, give want you want to give, and don't tell him about it. Just do it. Enjoy this little blessing.

Your a good man, yeah thinking something like 50.

Thank you all for the input. It is greatly appreciated.

Are you a good handy man type? Most churches have a volunteer day or something.

quote:

Also I usually get out the diesel and a match and burn the back yard off due to the nature of the weeds (goat heads, tumbleweed - Russian Thistle, and other weeds).

Really?
If you want a decent lawn you should use a 4 step program. It's not hard. You just have to stay with it.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

Also I usually get out the diesel and a match and burn the back yard off due to the nature of the weeds (goat heads, tumbleweed - Russian Thistle, and other weeds).

Really?
If you want a decent lawn you should use a 4 step program. It's not hard. You just have to stay with it.

I don't want a lawn back there as around here we get tumbleweed which will grow in the yard as they jump the fence (six foot chain link), goat heads, foxtail grass, and other unwanted plants as the seed is brought in by flying birds, cats, and the occasional skunk that gets under the gate not to mention the common 30-45 mph wind that come from the west (and out back yard is on the west side of the house).

I have had to re-shingle the west side of the house due to the wind blowing most of the second layer off one year.

Eventually there might be some grass in the back, but for now I am going to plant a yellow sweet clover.

I am grateful that the pastor came over and sprayed the weeds as keeping the weeds down is something we try to do as it allows me to more easily spot the red ant hills, and unwanted plants coming up.

Cover it with black tarps for 2 weeks and everything underneath will be dead.