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Post by 4pygmies on May 20, 2008 10:18:03 GMT 1
Emsey, there is NOTHING more important than growing food for your family! (Apart from keeping the toilets clean obviously) That's how I justify it anyway ;D Besides, it's healthy, satisfying and destressing - so if it stops you ripping a chicken's head off on a bad day....and it ensures you can give your children good, un toxic food - don't feel guilty. Feel proud! ;D
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Post by Sleepy on May 20, 2008 10:26:37 GMT 1
Emsey, there is NOTHING more important than growing food for your family! (Apart from keeping the toilets clean obviously) That's how I justify it anyway ;D Besides, it's healthy, satisfying and destressing - so if it stops you ripping a chicken's head off on a bad day....and it ensures you can give your children good, un toxic food - don't feel guilty. Feel proud! ;D I can think of one or two things, but none of the housework related. Sex Doctor Who/Star Trek TNG Eating food would you like me to add to the list? |
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Post by emseypop on May 20, 2008 10:32:49 GMT 1
 Emsey, there is NOTHING more important than growing food for your family! (Apart from keeping the toilets clean obviously) That's how I justify it anyway ;D Besides, it's healthy, satisfying and destressing - so if it stops you ripping a chicken's head off on a bad day....and it ensures you can give your children good, un toxic food - don't feel guilty. Feel proud! ;D I can think of one or two things, but none of the housework related. Sex Doctor Who/Star Trek TNG Eating food would you like me to add to the list? I'll have to get some net curtians, what have you been doing in the north birmingham area on a sunday afternoon anyway sleepy? Forgot to say there are loads of little diddy pears on the pear tree I put in this time last year too  I never did find the right kind of bottle to bottle one and try making the pear brandy.
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Post by debidoos on May 30, 2008 17:57:41 GMT 1
Declared War on the dock leaves today. My mom has bought a petrol strimmer/brush cutter and my Dad wanted to have a play (boys and there toys eh?) so we had a go at clearing some of the docks and grass. Got quite a big area done, i then raked it over and used tumble weed on what was left of the dock stalks so hopefully they'll think about dying back soon.
The wind has blown over the runner bean canes and what was left of them has been eaten. so has the sweetcorn, so back to the drawing board for them, luckily there are plenty of seeds left.
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Post by Sleepy on May 30, 2008 19:35:24 GMT 1
Declared War on the dock leaves today. My mom has bought a petrol strimmer/brush cutter and my Dad wanted to have a play (boys and there toys eh?) so we had a go at clearing some of the docks and grass. Got quite a big area done, i then raked it over and used tumble weed on what was left of the dock stalks so hopefully they'll think about dying back soon. The wind has blown over the runner bean canes and what was left of them has been eaten. so has the sweetcorn, so back to the drawing board for them, luckily there are plenty of seeds left. Not good. 1. Be careful to check for hedgehogs before using a strimmer. 2. Tumbleweed, which is glyphosate based, needs to penetrate the leaf. It will be virtually ineffective on stalks. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Debbie  |
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Post by mickthecactus on May 30, 2008 22:03:05 GMT 1
Declared War on the dock leaves today. My mom has bought a petrol strimmer/brush cutter and my Dad wanted to have a play (boys and there toys eh?) so we had a go at clearing some of the docks and grass. Got quite a big area done, i then raked it over and used tumble weed on what was left of the dock stalks so hopefully they'll think about dying back soon. The wind has blown over the runner bean canes and what was left of them has been eaten. so has the sweetcorn, so back to the drawing board for them, luckily there are plenty of seeds left. Not good. 1. Be careful to check for hedgehogs before using a strimmer. 2. Tumbleweed, which is glyphosate based, needs to penetrate the leaf. It will be virtually ineffective on stalks. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Debbie Or you'll have bald hedgehogs.... |
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Post by Sleepy on May 30, 2008 22:07:12 GMT 1
Not good. 1. Be careful to check for hedgehogs before using a strimmer. 2. Tumbleweed, which is glyphosate based, needs to penetrate the leaf. It will be virtually ineffective on stalks. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Debbie Or you'll have bald hedgehogs.... Legless hedgehogs. Quite a common hazard for the little chaps. www.thehedgehog.co.uk/strimmers.htm |
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Post by roan on May 30, 2008 22:09:26 GMT 1
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Post by alicat on Jun 3, 2008 23:00:06 GMT 1
;D Why is it that what ever thread I click on you boys have turned a comment on its head and made a joke of it.  several times tonight I have been in fits of laughter because of your banter. ;D Debbie - Hope you win the battle with the weeds and good luck with more seed sowing. S & S's are the bane of my life too.   |
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Post by debidoos on Jun 4, 2008 9:11:16 GMT 1
I bought some ready started Sweetcorn about 3" tall. £1.99 for 36 i thought that was pretty good as it would've cost about that much for the seeds and compost to start them again!
The runners, we'll just poke some seeds in at the bases of the canes. have a later crop but there's not much else we can do.
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Post by emseypop on Jun 4, 2008 9:16:13 GMT 1
I bought some ready started Sweetcorn about 3" tall. £1.99 for 36 i thought that was pretty good as it would've cost about that much for the seeds and compost to start them again! The runners, we'll just poke some seeds in at the bases of the canes. have a later crop but there's not much else we can do. We ended up atarting the runners late last year with one thing and another and did ok. I started all the squashes and pumpkins off last weekend. I was really pleased when the saved seeds from last years pumpkins germinated! The kids planted them a few weeks ago.  |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jun 4, 2008 21:08:00 GMT 1
I bought some ready started Sweetcorn about 3" tall. £1.99 for 36 i thought that was pretty good as it would've cost about that much for the seeds and compost to start them again! The runners, we'll just poke some seeds in at the bases of the canes. have a later crop but there's not much else we can do. That was a bargain Debs! I paid £1 for 4 plants...  |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 4, 2008 22:10:47 GMT 1
;D Why is it that what ever thread I click on you boys have turned a comment on its head and made a joke of it. several times tonight I have been in fits of laughter because of your banter. ;D Debbie - Hope you win the battle with the weeds and good luck with more seed sowing. S & S's are the bane of my life too. Lifes too short to be serious Ali.... |
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Post by debidoos on Jun 9, 2008 18:26:20 GMT 1
Planted the sweetcorn on Sunday and surrounded them with slug pellets. we also planted some parsnips with some radish seeds on top so we can remember where they are. Emsey also pulled back one of the big tarporlines and uncovered the biggest ants nest we'd ever seen!! She then turned over most of the area with the spade. Emsey also planted some runner beans where the others had been attacked.
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Post by debbiem on Jun 10, 2008 10:20:47 GMT 1
Planted the sweetcorn on Sunday and surrounded them with slug pellets. we also planted some parsnips with some radish seeds on top so we can remember where they are. Emsey also pulled back one of the big tarporlines and uncovered the biggest ants nest we'd ever seen!! She then turned over most of the area with the spade. Emsey also planted some runner beans where the others had been attacked. Shame the chickens weren't there - you'd have been antless in no time. ;D |
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Post by Sleepy on Jun 10, 2008 10:23:43 GMT 1
Planted the sweetcorn on Sunday and surrounded them with slug pellets. we also planted some parsnips with some radish seeds on top so we can remember where they are. Emsey also pulled back one of the big tarporlines and uncovered the biggest ants nest we'd ever seen!! She then turned over most of the area with the spade. Emsey also planted some runner beans where the others had been attacked. Shame the chickens weren't there - you'd have been antless in no time. ;D Sweetcornless too I'd wager ;D |
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Post by debbiem on Jun 10, 2008 10:25:02 GMT 1
Shame the chickens weren't there - you'd have been antless in no time. ;D Sweetcornless too I'd wager ;D Allotmentless if the truth be told.  |
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Post by emseypop on Jul 16, 2008 11:28:06 GMT 1
Not posted on here for a while as everything has been a bit up in the air. Debi and I have decided to give up our plot when the lease runs out in October. Until then we are going to keep it ticking over and harvest what we can. We have been lucky enough to obtain a new plot, with better facilities and where repairs etc are carried out. There is an active committee (many of the plot holders are going on a day trip this Saturday) a committee room, communal kitchen and toilets. I took Louis with me today and managed to stay for 2 hours a there are plenty of safe ares for him to play(something lacking at our old plot) Its close to the kids school so I'm looking forward to dropping them off come September and tootling off down to the plot. The plot is nice and level, with a slab path down one side and bark paths that wont take much to re-establish, especially as there is a big pile of wood chippings for the plot holders to help themselves to. (There is also a small orchard for plotters to share) They have an allotment GH too. There is lots or rhubarb on the back of the plot as you can prolly make out from the pic. I've started to dig from the back, I've managed to go about 12 ft in and all the way across so far, thats in about 5 hours work. At the front I can see there are going to be loads of glads and I've found 1 raspberry bush and one Logan berry bush. In the middle of the plot there is a compost heap, and some scaffold type poles (I've always wanted some of those!) We are not allowed to have our own sheds on the plot, but have rented one of the sites tool lockers, which is great and not too far from the plot. Sean fitted it with a lock so I can get some tools down there and really go to town! I'm enjoying getting down to it, and I know Debi wishes she could help more, but it will still be there next year! ;D and I'm going to see her new little boy growing up which is far more important! We will both miss seeing Sweetie at the plot and if it wasn't for her I wouldn't be here ;D. we feel lucky to have met lovely people like bob and gerry too, even Mr J was ok i suppose ;)This is a pic of the site from the back, I'll take some more next time  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 16, 2008 15:36:52 GMT 1
Crunchies, that sounds like a brilliant allotment site...that's great Emsey! I bet Sweetleaf is envious...... ;D Is it near to home? I can imagine how fed up Debi is about her inability to help you but, as you say, it's not a priority atm is it? It will be lovely in a year's time when you are both down there won't it? You sound like you have had a bit of luck, getting a plot there - I look forward to more pictures...... |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 16, 2008 15:37:58 GMT 1
Aaah...missed the bit about it being near the school...that's quite good! You can load the buggy up with spades etc and make Louis walk!  |
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Post by emseypop on Jul 16, 2008 16:14:31 GMT 1
I've got my GWL plant trolley, I'm looking forward to wheeling that to the school ;D I'm my scruffy gardening clothes ;D ;D This allotment site is nearer to home, but the other was easier to get to as it was on a direct bus route. I'll save on bus fare and the 10 min walk will do me good, its down hill there but a mega hill on the way back. When Debi and I first looked into getting a plot there were 11 people in front on the waiting list for this site, we just couldn't wait. we wouldn't have met Sweetie and found AF if it didn't happen the way it has tho.
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Post by emseypop on Jul 18, 2008 11:48:59 GMT 1
Managed to do an hour or so on the lottie today, took a few pic's of the work in progress This the bit i've dug over, i've put a few soya beans in and some pumpkins, the slugs are loveing them   This is the plot from the front  |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jul 20, 2008 19:24:03 GMT 1
Gosh emsey...it's looking absolutely brilliant. I didn't now that you could grow soya beans...are they difficult to grow? and do you dry them?
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Post by emseypop on Aug 2, 2008 18:59:17 GMT 1
Its my first attempt with the soya bean Cheery, I split the seeds with My Mom, I'll have to ask how hers are doing. Mine seem stuck at about 6" atm  You can dry them, just wait for the foliage to to die back, pick the pods and hang them to dry out. Popped up to the plot for an hour or two today, didn't clear much ground as I've come to a tricky bit, before I was going great guns, today, I hardly cleared anything and I was cream crackered! I sowed a couple of rows of salad and put some celery and calabrese plants in, and a clump of crocosmia from my garden. A very nice fella called Colin gave us some brute cauliflowers. He is the winner of this years Cliff Jones Award for the best kept plot in Birmingham! I was tempted to cut the glads and take a bunch for Debi, but it seems such a shame, they look so pretty and they are massive, I think they'd take over any room they were put in. ;D |
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Post by emseypop on Aug 25, 2008 13:49:47 GMT 1
Brute cauliflowers are just a type of caulie I think, nothing spacial The witch. I feel a bit demotivated today. I went to the plot for the first time since I went to Belfast yesterday, didn't stop as Sean was waiting for me, just dropped a few things off. I went back today. The whole area I'd dug over was just grass, with a few slug eaten, pumpkins and squashes here and there. I set about turning the whole lot over. The chairman came over to have a word, he said they were very disappointed I hadn't kept on top of the weeds better. He's talking about the 2/3's of the plot I haven't even made a start on yet  I am really trying, but after a few hours there I really do get tired, and knowing I have to walk up a giant hill home, stops me from pushing myself more I suppose, Its difficult to work around the kids and the weather ATM. He said didn't John borrow you something to get the weeds down a few weeks ago? Just before I went away John came up to me just as I was feeling like packing away and going home, he started chatting telling me our plot used to be his and how he was shocked at the state of it and how he used to turn the whole plot over 3 times a year. He offered to borrow me a scythe, which I felt I had to except, he said there was no rush to give it back as he didn't need it on his plot. So I took the scythe and felt I had to stay and use it. I promised the chair man I would try to borrow a strimmer, but I had no idea how I'd get it to the plot and find the time and the energy to do the whole plot before it had to be returned I carried on turning the grass over and pulling up mares tail. Then I got the scythe out of the shed, I felt really self conscious as though everyone was watching me and set to work. the chair man came over to me again and told me to stop, he said I'd never got it done with that, he thought I'd been borrowed a sickle type thing. He said he'd strim the plot for me with their strimmer next time they were doing the communal areas. Which is very nice of them and will be a big help, but makes me feel like a bit of a burden. I was called over to the tea shed, I really didn't feel like going but pushed myself, because I get the feeling it would be frowned upon if I didn't go, and also, if I didn't go today, I may never go again! John was making the tea this time, as he has every time I've been in there, (he at the site everytime I go too) he somehow manages to make me feel like I'm forcing him to make my tea and then he washes my cup up after like a myrter too ( I am reluctant to squeeze my ample bottom past him in such a confined space to make my tea and wash my cup so I dare not make a stand)! He also asked me if he could have his darn scythe back too! Something he pressed me to borrow and said he never used, he asked as if I'd pinched the bloomin thing! There are some nice people there, there is a really nice couple who are organising an allotment show and it sounds good fun, the chairman himself is very nice and I can see why he has a problem with the weeds as everyone has an immaculate plot and they don't want weeds seeds blowing about. I Just feel keeping up to their standards feels like an impossible task. I'm clearing weeds away as fast as I can but need to put something into the space I'm making, any ideas? I'll plod on, my best bet is to cover as much as I can with tarp I have found a supplier but haven't really got the £40 ATM. Sigh Maybe I should just call it a day, it feel like a bit of a weight on my shoulders today. |
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several times tonight I have been in fits of laughter because of your banter. ;D
You can dry them, just wait for the foliage to to die back, pick the pods and hang them to dry out. 
I am really trying, but after a few hours there I really do get tired, and knowing I have to walk up a giant hill home, stops me from pushing myself more I suppose, Its difficult to work around the kids and the weather ATM. He said didn't John borrow you something to get the weeds down a few weeks ago?