Preparedness for when

Possession

the_cake wrote: »

We used old scaffolding boards - they are a good size, and very sturdy, as well as cheap(ish). I'd be tempted to put some 'scalpings' from a local builders merchants in the bottom for drainage - it's a fairly cost effective way of filling up some of the space, too. You could use them on the ground round the beds, too. If the slug/snail problem is bad (!!!), try Nemaslug (nematodes which you water in) - I am using it for the first time this year and it seems to be working. HTH ...

Thankyou, I shall have fun asking for scalpings.
Just seen this, looks a good idea for utilising space and growing foodstuffs which don't need depth of soil.
http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/green-food/container-gardening-options-for-growing-in-small-spaces/#slide-top

Frugalsod

GreyQueen wrote: »

I read that ZH story before breakfast. I'd say that anyone with money in RBS or Ulster Bank is a fool, and we all know what happens to fools and their money. I wouldn't touch them with tongs.

Today is a little light interwulation, some YS dainties for me tea, then off up t'archery club. Haven't been for 3 weeks due to Teach being on holibobs for one week and then me being poorly last week. Hope I haven't lost my muscle memory for it, it's darned amnesiac at the best of times.:p

I think we are living in the lull before the storm, money-wise, and that things will be going very bad before we're much older. Too many stupid decisions by too many stupid people, such as Ower Gordon flogging a big chunk of the nation's gold reserves at a historic low price - and none of it to yours truly, I might add, which is galling.

There are stories of why he sold the gold at that point. Apparently one of the gold trading banks made some stupid bets and they lost big time. They were at risk of going bust and the gold sale was a hidden bail out. Only time will tell I suspect that this might not even be disclosed under the 30 year rule.

As for the lull before the storm I fully agree, I am hoping it will be a few more years yet. I am currently trying to clear all my debts so I can cope with a crash in income, then saving up to get all the prepping kit I need before the currency becomes toilet paper. The problem is that the stupid decisions have been made by so many people. Those who took out high loan to income mortgages are one set, regulators who allowed such sub prime mortgages are another, and politicians who failed to regulate banks because they were all after lucrative roles in the future are also culpable. I am going to blame all the main parties because they were all singing from the same deregulation song sheet. They are still not fixing the problems so things will get worse one day.

RAS

Nothing like as pretty but these might be useful ideas although they need a lot of "soil". Soil could be fallen leaves, grass cuttings, HM compost and even proper garden soil

http://www.sendacow.org.uk/baggardens

You could use one of those metre cube dump bags to make a bigger version?

http://www.sendacow.org.uk/keyhole-gardens

In both cases they would be tall enough to allow you to work standing.

Possession

RAS wrote: »

Nothing like as pretty but these might be useful ideas although they need a lot of "soil". Soil could be fallen leaves, grass cuttings, HM compost and even proper garden soil

http://www.sendacow.org.uk/baggardens

You could use one of those metre cube dump bags to make a bigger version?

http://www.sendacow.org.uk/keyhole-gardens

In both cases they would be tall enough to allow you to work standing.

They both look interesting. I wonder how weather-proof they are in our climate? I would like something that will last a good few years.

Frugalsod

Possession wrote: »

They both look interesting. I wonder how weather-proof they are in our climate? I would like something that will last a good few years.

You could use any old mini skip bags as they are large and weather proof. Though I am not sure where you would get them.

twiglet98

I'm using nematodes for the second year and they certainly make a difference. Best price I've found is Garden!ng Natura11y's shop on Amaz(on), actually better value than direct from GN. I also use copper tape, forming circles as a wide collar around the base of young plants, and all the way round planters and pots. Any slugs I locate get dropped into a bowl of salt... or sliced in half if they've really annoyed me.

Mrs LW I used to go down to Butser Hill such a lot when I lived at the top end of Hampshire, happy memories. Not enough hills around these parts, but I suppose it's all the better for cycling!

Frugalsod

Well I used my solar kettle yesterday and left it for more than a couple of hours. When I opened it the water was still boiling, so it definitely works. I also left it for four hours in the shade and the water was still 6o C by the time I checked it. I am trying it again today to see if how much water I can heat up in the 6 hours it will get sun, I lose the sun around 1pm.

[Deleted User]

Yesterday's weather forecast said showers in the evening, fading out overnight.

It absolutely lashed it down last night (rain and hailstones) with thunder and lightning for good measure.

vivatifosi

jk0 wrote: »

Craigywv, can you afford to buy this book for MiL?:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shredded-Inside-Bank-Broke-Britain/dp/1780271387/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402419669&sr=8-1&keywords=shredded+inside+rbs+the+bank+that+broke+britain

I have it on order, and I think it should tell her everything she needs to know.

That looks an interesting book, thanks. As I work in a public library I should be able to lay my hands on a copy (fingers crossed).

I'm currently reading Michael Lewis's latest book, Flash Boys, which like every other book I've read on the GFC and after effects makes my blood pressure rise.

GreyQueen

Morning all.

Boy, am I pooped, got in at 9.45 pm last night from archery. Will have to stay home after w*rk today as flat is a pit and I'm getting rather overtired and still only half through the week. But it was lovely walking around a balmy summer evening with the moon high in the sky. I also stopped to smell the roses.:rotfl:

MrsLW, yes, a lot of people don't seem to think that the sun can be a problem. We have all the usual suspects out in shorty-shorts and strappy tops the minute a sunbeam shows its face. And the sunburns are starting to appear. A pal of mine recently ended up lobster-hued and he really knows better than that with his Irish ancestry and his pale skin.

Sunstroke could potentially kill you. A friend I was holidaying with years ago in Greece got very ill as a result. We were going up into the mountains and were to be out in the full sun for hours. I'm a (greying rapidly) redhead with green eyes and that luminous skin so typical of the breed. I can get a sunburn in 10 mins in the UK so knew I'd have to be careful. That day, I was wearing long cool cotton trousers and long-sleeved top in cream, with a cream shawl about 3 m long wrapped around my head and neck (bordering on lawrence of arabia territory, lol). Factor 50 on my face and sunglasses. I was fine. Pal was also fair-ish, had very short hair and had decided that suncream on ears, nape and shoulders was sufficient protection apart from a teeshirt and shorts. She got sunstroke and was very unwell that evening and the following day was a washout.

If you think about it, sunburn is potentially disabling. If you have got sunburn across the top of your feet, because of sandals, or carelessly letting your feet get burned in the sun on a rest-break on a hike, you won't be able to tolerate your boots back on. If you have sunburned shoulders, pack straps will be a torment. Plus, if you skin blisters, you have opened yourself to potential for infection.

I keep an eye out for clothes which are suitable for a redhead like me in the summer - maximum coverage is usually it. It's tiresome not being able to skip around in summer things but we have to play the hand we're dealt, and I'm just going to look after myself. Plus side is that at nearly 50, I don't have a line on my face, although there is a portait in the attic which gets more raddled every year.........:rotfl:

craigy, yes, sunbed tans. Deeply scary. There are some shades never meant to be seen on people and Cuprin0l Brown is one of them. Plus, these venues (and nail bars) are often fronts for laundering money from organised crime, so they always make me a bit suspicious when I see a lot of them.