the daydream fund challenge thread

Davesnave

I couldn't cope with all that cold! :eek:
Down here, it has been relatively benign, though I reported elsewhere through last week about the three accidents I'd seen on the same road, all within a few miles of each other. Our gritters have been very good, and maybe that's the problem, as it's been the odd dodgy patch that has caught people out.

We've been preparing for New Year by cutting our front 'hedge' back from about 10' to 3' and piling-up the surplus for a bonfire. I also have 3 builders bags of weeds to throw on once it is going. We were going to have all the family here, but with DD2 having flu, and a scary forecast for the end of the week, it looks as if we'll be celebrating on our own.

Now almost all the small trees have been reduced to a sensible level, we have a lovely view at the front. It looks as if the previous owners trimmed them once, then forgot to bother, so they grew tall and straggly. Most are species that should now sprout from lower down without problems. We have kept the only oak they planted to grow into a proper tree.

Hope you get out for your essentials soon, choille.

Davesnave

Double post.

I am not going senile: MSE threw up a message about experiencing technical difficulties when I pressed 'submit.'

.....Honest!!!:o:rotfl::rotfl:

Rummer

At the moment it is -12 here and the garden has been a no go zone for ages. I sat tonight and did a bit of planning so that I can get new seeds ordered if I need them. I sent away for loads of freebies last year so I shouldn't a great number.

choille

Good for you Dave keeping busy.

It's cold Rummer.
Friend's car won't start, so we have got some grit dumped at track end by Council & are attempting to get our track cleared - well OH is!

Rummer

Good luck Choille in getting your track cleared!

COOLTRIKERCHICK

keep an eye on the bbc website, as they are giving away free seeds again this year:D

http://www.bbc.co.uk/digin/

Rummer

Ooooh thank you for that! They sent me two loads by mistake last year! I got most of my seeds for free by following leads on MSE the rest I made up of saved seeds from food we had bought and a couple of packets of new ones. The main expense I had was compost which has cost a small fortune as our own stuff wasn't ready. Hope fully we should be able to survive with our own stuff and some added nutrients this year.

Rummer

When can we start planting seeds inside? I really want a maximum growing season this year, I think I started my seeds indoors in Feb last year then moved them to the greenhouse when the frosts stopped. Do you think now is too early to start things??

JayneC

HI Rummer,
I think it is a bit early yet, things will grow all tall and spindly before it's warm enough for them to go out. I lost a lot of mine last year cos got too eager, lol! I've decided to be more patient this time and also limit the amount I sow - ran out of room last year!

I'm going to reorganise my yard this year ( I am honest!) to make more growing space and try square foot gardening and (I know this sounds daft) only grow things I know we'll all eat! Thought this might be a bit limited but actually there was quite a lot.

So planning to get my yard sorted in Feb (will have some time off work with kids at half term - and rope them in!) and start sowing then.

Have decided my daydream challenge fund will be for a woodburner. Checked my savings today and have £200 in so that's my start. Am doing Nyk's frugal living challenge next year so hoping that I'll be able to save enough by sticking to that!

Davesnave

Too early yet for planting seeds, especially up north where daylight hours are shorter. There is no advantage going against nature, as plants will make up time 'lost' against those started too early, and be stronger too. Late February should be OK.