Preparedness for when

ivyleaf

elona, that's super news :):)

GreyQueen

ivyleaf wrote: »

elona, that's super news :):)

:j Hear, hear!

siegemode

Elona, wishing you and yours well, you sound terribly organised and positive in what must be such a difficult time. Stories such as yours often help us put our own struggles into perspective.

siegemode

I have been busy trying to clear a very neglected, disorganised and unkempt garden space. OH has repaired back fence and we are waiting for neighbours to sort the partition fence (long saga and a very sore subject). OH has a gate to make and wants to rip up, level and re-lay patio. Next is turning our rough postage stamp lawn area into a paved and gravelled area with raised beds. Want to plant a permaculture garden eventually. OH has the will and ideas, but due to disabilities everything takes much longer and requires help. Still he pushes himself too much and crawls up the stairs in pain or is reduced to the sofa for days recovering. (bliddy male pride). Mind I guess I'm just as bad. Saw a pain psychologist recently who spoke about pacing and doing 5 mins of activity then resting and repeating in order to achieve :rotfl:
I'm afraid I wasn't a model patient and expressed my frustration regarding the medical worlds idealistic pacing therapy. I just doesn't work in the real world when help is unavailable and things need doing. Grrrrr:mad:

Anyway right now I need a little advice as to what I can plant in pots which I will place in the front on the small area of gravel that is the front garden (approx. 3ft x 7 ft and quite sheltered). Mum suggested winter pansies, but I want low maintenance edibles. So this is where you lovely peeps come in, any suggestions ?

This past year has been so difficult and OH hasn't coped well and we have been called upon and had battles to fight ( some of which are still on going). Now we are trying to look after ourselves and concentrate on our needs, sounds selfish, but if we don't no one else will. I need to create my little space out front to give me both a focus and outlet to de stress. There's something so good about mixing earth and compost, special getting my hands dirty and filling pots. I feel grounded and disappear into my own day dreamer world. I'll eat most fruit and veg but have never attempted to grow stuff other than during the summer. We have an abundance of slugs and snails so prefer not to grow anything that will tempt them to gather round for dinner.

Karmacat

Siegemode - I *really* understand about limited energy, so please excuse my delurking - cos I also understand the lure of getting out and doing 5 minutes gardening here and there, it can be lovely.

For your low maintenance edibles - there's lots of choice. Herbs, maybe? Chives, mint, sage, nasturtiums since the flowers are edible. Sorrel? Since the bed is 3' deep, you could have 2 - 3 fruit bushes at the back, or maybe a ballerina tree, a single stem sort of thing. Fig trees also need to be confined - is there a fig tree round near you? This is the time of year to take semi-ripe cuttings search at the RHS website for info).

Container plants: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/aug/15/ten-best-herbs-grow-containers

And fig propagation: http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs/fig-propagation.htm

**sits back down again sharpish**

[Deleted User]

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

BB, have you ever done a test with Duracell batteries?

Can't say I have.

However, I do have several identical lanterns, so I'll load one up with ordinary £land Kodak batteries, and another with Duracells, and run them in a head to head test.

While were on the subject of lanterns, my Aldi battery lantern is still going (not very) strong, at 53 hours and counting.

Oddly enough, after the initial light level fall off, around the 24 hour mark, the light level seems quite stable.

daz378

Anyone from Chester..... going tomorrow ....but the main reason is im going to the field and trek store on bridge street to hopefully find a cheap er... northface/berghaus..coat..BUT is it open? also going to check round other shops..... i have the number from the website ... so can ring in the morning

Frugalsod

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Can't say I have.

However, I do have several identical lanterns, so I'll load one up with ordinary £land Kodak batteries, and another with Duracells, and run them in a head to head test.

While were on the subject of lanterns, my Aldi battery lantern is still going (not very) strong, at 53 hours and counting.

Oddly enough, after the initial light level fall off, around the 24 hour mark, the light level seems quite stable.

Have you considered a recharging battery set up? If there is going to be intermittent power then rechargables will be a viable option. It also allows you to minimise standard batteries for when things get really dire.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

why I asked BOB is to see which is the better value battery for your money..as Durcell make you assume they are the best batteries on the market, and last longer, so it would be nice to see how much longer lol..


I have left things slip re- tinned foods, so I have started buying some more as back up.. need to stock back up on loo rolls too, I bought the comfy somethings or other from home bargains at the weekend.. 18 for £3.49 ( flash marked) they are £3.99 in farmfoods, so think I will do a HB bulk shop in the next few days as we need shampoo etc too

Butterfly_Brain

Cooltrikerchick
Halfords have camping stoves for £10
http://www.halfords.com/car-seats-travel-equipment/camping-caravanning/cooking-dining-equipment