Countdown to Freedom

unhappy_shopper

Hi Tilly,

You have made fantastic inroads into your current mortgage. Don't beat yourself about what might have happened in the past. No point in revisiting those scenarios. Rather I take that as a lesson for the current - Just my 2 penneth worth :-)

Seeing that you are growing veggies, I am after a bit of advice regarding Basil. I planted a few basil seeds and they have sprouted now. The seedlings are now in a rather shallow plastic box, recycled box of a punnet of strawberries. So, my question is when should I repot them? and what size pot will be most suitable for 10 plants? Depth of soil/compost?

Thanks for your kind reply

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Cath, rocket is really easy to grow, I would plant a run every 2-3 weeks - or a pot, as it can go to seed quickly but I know we get through tons in salads, so get through it before it goes past it.

Coriander is quite easy as well. Courgettes are prolific and we eat them BBqd with a little mustard before cooking, or a dill dressing. Dill is also easy to grow.

Mange tout and sugar snap peas are also straight forward.

If you are growing in pots, the main thing is to water consistently. Letting veg get too dry, then over watering does them no good.

Good luck and it's fab to pop out and pick stuff for supper.

Best wishes Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi US, I tend to grow basil for 3/4 of the year inside so I may give you differing advice to someone who has an allotment for example. I tend to pot on twice for basil, so from seeds grown with a poly bag on top, I double the pot size once and then when they are stronger, I pot into a plastic pot which fits a ceramic plant pot. That way they look attractive in the kitchen as well. Without measuring the pots are around 5" - 7" across and I have 2 or 3 on the go - we do eat a lot of basil and it's expensive. I tend to have around 5-8 plants per ceramic pot.

Hope that helps. If you are planting outside you need to wait until it is much warmer but they grow really well when planted with tomatoes.

Best wishes Tilly x

unhappy_shopper

Thanks for the reply, Tilly. Mine are on the kitchen window sill, so might get around to repotting them tomorrow. :-)

Weronika

I used to have basil in a pot, but once it died the 3 plants died as well, I gave up now. Obviously, I'm giving out bad energy

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Weronika, have another go with the basil. They don't last forever, so that's not down your skills. If you do successional planting, it means you always have new young plants coming through, as the older ones are dying off. Fresh basil straight from the pot, tomatoes from the garden, beautiful oil, salt and pepper, mmmmmmm.

Tilly x

Anna_Glypta

I never have much luck with regular basil but last year I found some black basil at the garden centre and it was fab. Not sure if it's more hardy or not but I have a couple of pots out the front of the house now and it's doing well. And the bees absolutely love the flowers too.

AG :-)

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hiya AG, I will give that a go - thanks for the tip, Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Good morning, today is day 1, of no spending for a week. I am going to hunt the thread down so I can link to it. Having two children I have put some money aside for fresh fruit and additional milk, they seem to get through loads and I don't want them to go without.

Tomatoes, basil, chervil, all potted up. Just about to go for a dog walk and aiming for 4 miles. Seems like an ok morning here and on a bright note, I have slept in for 1.5 hours which can't be bad.

No further money updates today. I will be spending time in the garden planting more veg under cloches. We have a hose pipe ban, so must remember today, to disconnect it and leave the watering can in it's place.

Have a good day all, Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Afternoon, my mojo seems to have up and left. Perhaps it is because I am back to work on Monday and I have had a truly fab time with DH and the kids.

Am going to find a quiet spot and meditate - bear in mind I don't sit down often, so actually stopping and being quiet is difficult for me. However, I thnk it may help my mind. Kids are off to the movies shortly and I am doing dinner late for when they get back, so that means I have time to sit in peace and quiet.

On a brighter note the garden looks well prepared, just need some sun and the washing was completed this morning, dried on the line and ironed.

Was strange not doing a 'real' shop today. I bought milk, apples and clementines and that was it - was certainy quick:rotfl:

Best wishes, Tilly x