The landscape gardeners of Canberra were in a state of confusion at the start of the week as lockdown rules lifted for some but not others.
Tom Pagett was back at work first thing on Monday, catching up on the spring tasks after three weeks of compulsory stay-at-home stoppage for his business.
But Dan Cusack of Revive Landscapes was trying to work out exactly what the new eased rules were. He was staying home until he was sure he was allowed to pick up a shovel again.
"I'm trying to find out," he said. "There's a lot of confusion out there at the moment."
The nub of the question was whether landscaping companies fell under construction industry rules or those covering garden maintenance.
Sam Christie of Christie Landscapes started work last Friday under the impression that he was permitted to do so but was then told that he shouldn't be operating because he came under the construction rules.
"It's very frustrating," he said. "They should have been more specific. It's all just clouded. I called the hotline but they didn't know."
It all depends on the definition of a landscape company and on whether it constructs walls, moves earth and lays paving or whether it works on an already constructed garden.
According to the industry association, outdoor maintenance of a garden (mulching, planting, pruning and the like) is allowed but not heavier work. No contact with clients was allowed.
Mr Christie said he came from Western Australia originally where the rules on COVID-safe work in his business were much easier. "I don't see why we've had to stay at home," he said.
But he accepted the regulations and had spent the weekend drawing up a plan for work to be COVID-safe.
The landscapers said they understood the need for rules - it's just that it would have been nice if how they applied had been clearer.
They also welcomed the promises of cash support from the Commonwealth and territory governments, particularly the $20,000 under the Business Support scheme.
"If that comes through, it will really help," Mr Cusack said. "It will take a lot of the pain off. If it doesn't come through, we're in trouble."
He was also grateful for the $750 support to workers.
"My staff are getting that, and that has taken a lot of stress off," he said. "We are being looked after."
Despite the confusion, landscapers said they were pleased to be getting back to business, whether it's at the beginning or the end of this week.
Some saw a silver lining to the lockdown cloud.
Tom Pagett said he had enjoyed being with his family again. Because landscaping work is usually so relentless, he usually found it difficult to get time off, particularly since he ran his own business.
"We usually work hard all the time," he said. "But the lockdown returned me to what's important - like family."
And he did work around the house.
Gardeners are now getting into their busiest time - spring and summer.
The winter rains were a curse and a blessing: they promoted growth (and therefore business for them) but made it harder to do the work because a lot of the downpours were so heavy.
