Becoming self sufficient from scratch-my diary

Lotus-eater

poppet wrote: »

Like in the kitchen :rotfl:

And they eat things you don't want them to eat Cat and dog food, mice, frogs and last but not least, cat poo (probably dog as well. but I haven't got one of those)

Moozle_2

Lotus-eater wrote: »

And they eat things you don't want them to eat Cat and dog food, mice, frogs and last but not least, cat poo (probably dog as well. but I haven't got one of those)

Oh gosh, i'll try not to think about that when i'm tucking into my poached free range eggs:eek: .

Am off this afternoon to another friends house to see her setup. She has an eglu 4 hens and she also has a veg patch, so not much will be done in the garden, but the visit will give me some ideas hopefully.

Moozle_2

A few questions....
How long before I should see potatoes coming up?
What makes good home made labels?
Will stones in soil be a big problem. Its full of them and I have got most of the larger ones out.

poppet

Hi Moozle
It has taken my seed potatos almost 4 weeks to show above ground.

You can make plant labels out of ice lolly sticks, cut up an old pale coloured venetion blind, any white plastic bottle could be cut into long strips written on and jabbed in the ground, same applies to lmilk containers, or use those white plastic knives you can buy from cheapy shops.

Stones can be a problem in soil as they can hinder growth or make a carrot grow in an odd shape. I've got lots of stones in my plot but hav't got the time nor patience to seive it.

Moozle_2

poppet wrote: »

Hi Moozle
It has taken my seed potatos almost 4 weeks to show above ground.

You can make plant labels out of ice lolly sticks, cut up an old pale coloured venetion blind, any white plastic bottle could be cut into long strips written on and jabbed in the ground, same applies to lmilk containers, or use those white plastic knives you can buy from cheapy shops.

Stones can be a problem in soil as they can hinder growth or make a carrot grow in an odd shape. I've got lots of stones in my plot but hav't got the time nor patience to seive it.

Thanks poppet, some good ideas. I wont panic about the spuds then, its only been a week!! Found a supplier for the hens now I just need to decide what type.
Another question.... is it best to get all the same breed of could I get 3 different sorts?

bonsibabe

Thanks for the tips on labels Poppet! I've been wondering what to use as we are about to start trying to grow our own veggies and herbs (I would love chooks but OH just won't let me!) Am starting my composting journey and hubby is trying to sort out our garden but its a long story at the moment, overflowing blocked pipes in the back and a council constructed large grave-like hole under my kitchen window!

I think I'm going to have to get a rotovator for my garden as it really is just a load of old rubbish covered with grass but in true moneysaving will let OH have a good crack at it first and then advertise on freecycle to see if anyone will let us have a loan of one rather than just go and hire one first!

So far we have a lonely rosemary bush that came all the way from germany with us! And sadly my orange tree survived the trip but hubby replanted it at the bottom of the garden and now it is just a sad looking twig! I don't know if it is dead or just in shock. I think I will try and transplant it into a large terracota pot when I do the rosemary and maybe try to bring it back to life again. It really was a lovely looking little tree.

And really chuffed because my bokashi units should be delivered tomorrow meaning that I should be able to reduce the amount of food waste going in the bin down to zero! Well thats what I'm aiming for anyway! My kids are little so and so's for making sandwiches (well my 7 year old makes them) and then the little one leaves half of hers or the crusts are left lying and OH is a bit of a sod for that as well lol.

So I think this year my self sufficiency is going to start at a few pots in the garden and loads of composting in earnest for next year lol.

Well done to all of you for all that you are doing! I'm subscribed and have loved reading the thread ...Poppet your blog is my next stop but in the morning as I'm sitting trying to make myself sleepy!

Nighty night all, see you later and thank you for the warm welcome on here too xxx

bonsibabe

Poppet, thanks for the tip on the seeds as well, have sent off for some for me and for my dad as well as he wants to try growing some bits and bobs in pots so we'll probably swap some seeds between us, and the kids will love being involved too xxx

Moozle_2

Bonisbabe, sounds like you are off to a good start. A lot of our garden is/was rubble and the people before us just put down stone chips everywhere which is not good for the soil. Once you get a few sections sorted out you will be able to get going and then its a bit more interesting.
Ours is a lot of digging and backach at the moment too, and trying to spur hubby into action is not easy, once I get him out there I find that constant cups of tea keep him going;)

bonsibabe

Mine is going out tomorrow. The only downside is, I have a bad back and am medically not allowed to do much but cups of tea I can do lol. But am looking forward to getting started. We are advertising later this month for paving stones for the driveway and maybe for some bricks and stuff to make some raised flower beds and some barrels for growing potatoes in (I hear they grow well in barrels and it keeps burrowing animals out!)

We have a few pots and are always on the lookout for more so hopefully will get some decent sized ones this week and start filling them with lots of lovely goodies!

Good luck to you hun, am following your journey with interest! x

hardpressed

Ken68 wrote: »

Hi Moozle, you can grow potatoes on the surface and into a regular mulch, e.g. lawn clippings or any compost. I did it for years when gardening and had spare mowings.Grow plenty of runner beans, these can be eaten green or dried (tho not bought seed for sowing)and don't necessarily need sticks, just let scramble over anything, even other tall plants, like sweet corn.
Think this might go to the gardening board.

Can you explain about growing potatoes on the surface, I've got plenty of mowings, sound like it might save some digging.