The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

FairyPrincessk

Princess87, I don't personally use stardrops, but they used to carry them in my local ironmongers/hardware type store. I've also seen them in various pound type shops.

Personally, I hate sprouts, but I'd rather eat those than beetroot. I do like most vegetables, honest--but sprouts... _pale_

I've been spending a lot of time in the garden lately. I'm going away next week and it will be up to OH to maintain things, so I'm trying to get it in top shape before then so all he has to do is water. I finally erected nets over everything which seems to have stopped the toilet visits from the cat. In the end this proved to be the most economical solution. For those who might want to try it--the olbas oil might have worked as she didn't visit that night (although the rain seemed to have washed it off the teabags the next day). However, a bit of it got on the leaves of one of the broccolis and it withered and died as if it were burnt or dried out, so be careful if you want to use it. Perhaps shake it on the tea bags before you put them down.:rotfl: Nevermind, I have more broccoli plants than I've got space for. Will have to give some to mates with allotment.

OH's parents took me to a posh garden centre as a birthday treat. They gave me a bit of cash so I got a few more plants, some soil (they have a car so saves carrying it!) and stocked up on ideas for cheap containers. I got three new veg-chantenay carrots, spinach and radishes, and I'm pleased to report that there were a lot of seedlings in the trays.

But, I've got a question. My guess is that GQ or Mrs LW Might know some tricks, but anyone else is welcome to chime in. I transplanted the spinach to my containers last night. I've watered it very well twice now, but the little plants still look very limp-almost on death's door. Have I done something wrong? Would it be best to move them to the shade? They're in containers so relatively easy to move between the two of us. Most of them seem to have one to two true leaves that are fairing better than their starter leaves. That know it all google hasn't helped much, just got me worried that spinach is hard to transplant and reinforced what I already knew that it is very thirsty.

Anyway, I've finished my work for the day and ending on a good note as I was reviewing what I've been doing the last few days and it looks better than I thought. I'm planning to transplant the radishes tonight, hopefully they'll fare better than the spinach.

Mrs LW, how was your weekend away?

Mar--the 15th of June:eek:

fuddle

Yeah Princessx87 B&M Bargains, Home Bargains I know for sure. I suspect Wilko's but I can't remember. I know I got mine from Asd4 but that was ages ago - it lasts and lasts.

My dog has eaten my strawberries!!! I am non best pleased. School boy error if ever there was one "mam will they grow back?" "Aye pet... next year!"

Landlord has given his permission for me to child mind in the house so really pleased there.

Chicken, green beans and boiled potatoes for tea and then off to plan a holiday

jem132

It's been too hot to paint today .
Fuddle I make granola with loads of different cearl bought when on sale in large box's and mix in a large tub.

I am really missing dh now sick of not seeing him we had a massive argument on the phone today and I told him I am moving out!!!!

I just can't seem to do right for wrong I never stop iv got the stress of ds and been with him 24/7 doesn't help I need a break.

Well I better go make some tea for the boys xx

Congratulations fuddle on the childminding I use to childminding many years ago

FairyPrincessk

Hugs Jem, and a nice cold glass of my special lavender lemonade.

mcculloch29

I've seen Stardrops in Pound WORLD but can't recall it in £Land , if that helps. I think I got mine in Boyes, which is a North of England dept store, has an air of a shop from the Fifties about it and no bad thing either.

ArthriticOldThing

Thank you all for the advice and support.:) As I didn't sleep much last night (I'm a worrier) I was up nice and early with all my papers sorted ready to phone the revenue. Must have been one of the first as got straight thru. The very nice lady on the other end said to ignore the wording on the letter as any two sources of income were classed as two employers (Lovely that they explain that:mad:) and I would need to contact my pension providers for tax codes. I did that then tried to phone tax office again. Took 37 mins to get thru this time:mad::mad::mad:. The upshot of it all is that the figures are correct because they did not code my pensions correctly last year (not that they actually admitted that) so my tax was underpaid and I have to repay it. Give them their due they were very nice when I explained my financial situation (if they try to take it all at once I'll be living in a cardboard box) and will give me a ring to talk about affordable repayment plan.:o So have calmed down a little but it does mean that the little holiday I thought I could afford (staying in a friends apartment) is now unmanageable:(:(:(.
Onto other matters - I am among the sprout lovers - finished off in a little butter with smoked streaky bacon they are delish;)
fuddle - congrats about the childminding.:T

ginnyknit

Fairyp the leaves of plants wither in hot weather due to saving water for the roots so it may be that. When you water tonight wet the ground not the plants - its a waste to water the leaves although you think you are being kind You need strong roots first and the foliage comes up because the roots are strong.

FairyPrincessk

Thanks ginny. I was getting quite concerned about the little guys. I do hope they're saving their strength for the roots. I tend to water the whole container because my watering jug is an old milk carton with quite irregular holes so my aim isn't very precise. :rotfl:

FairyPrincessk

AOT, sorry to hear about your holiday. It must be especially disappointing to find out it won't happen because your planning was undermined by someone else's mistake, but I'm glad they were kind and will work with you.

shegar

mardatha wrote: »

Thanks muchly Mrs L. I like food when other people cook it but never after I've finished with it I'm struggling with low carbing because there's nothing nice to eat so I'm munching too many oatcakes which is bad!
I like nice well cooked plain food. Is just that in this house it isn't well cooked!

I think theres only me and mar on the thread which absolutely hate cooking, I do cook but thats cos I have to, but nothing speical at all....I cant stand in the kitchen cooking and baking , I hate it........

If I can get away with shop bought then I do, I know its not very MSE but thats me.......I would spend all day in the house cleaning it through from top to bottom , love washing , ironing , dusting , polishing ......I do read with interest how you all know how to do this , that and the other with cooking........Been so hot again today, love it.......

Sheila.....