Best wellyboot forward. Pips frugal edible garden adventures.

DedicatedDFW

Hi pippi,

I've been reading but not posting sorry Just thought i'd mention when I changed my deal on my phone i was really worried about going over my allowances as i do know some people who have had some big bills :eek: Anyway i now get a text message sent to me when i'm nearing my limit that way i can check what usage i have left and be careful for however many days until my new allowances start up again Sorry if this is already something you've put in place with your provider.

The other thing that made me post was strawberry plants Om nom nom! Where do i find these bargainous treats?

starnac

Pippilongstocking wrote: »

Morning lands. Great info there from both of you thank you.

KC I'll certainly look around. I've payment systems built into my actual website, I just lack any kind of confidence to get it up and going. Must work on that..

Right! Thats enough of this silly talk. You are an ace gardener. You have already sold loads of plants online before AND you've made money through your blog posts too. GET IT UP AND RUNNING ASAP!!**

And then we'll all celebrate your success with tea, twinks' hobnobs and pancakes and jam

*runs away and hides after shouting at the lovely Pippi on her own diary*

**all said with love :kisses3:

starnac

PS chooks look fab. Can't wait to show DD when she gets home from school x

rtandon27

Pippilongstocking wrote: »

Ah the monday head confuzzlement.

Butterfly bush - hard trim back at anytime - the birds like the seeds so if you can stand the mess let them have it a while yet then cut back to 1-2ft from ground. (or any height above that as desired)

Bay - evergreen and takes a hard hack at most times of the year. Take off the growth to contain it and save those tasty leaves. Should do OK.

Sage can be a bit of a menace. Really best done in spring if you can stand it can you trim the worst of it back to let you get access and do the dirtier deed in springtime?

A few hints and tips below. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardenprojects/3337654/Your-garden-this-week-pruning-shrubby-perennials-and-bluebell-control.html)

Sage, whether grown for ornamental foliage or use in the kitchen, needs a trim each spring to maintain a neat crown. Cut back all stems by half or, if the plants have become bare at the base, prune hard to within 15cm (6in) of ground level.

• In most areas of Britain, it is safer to trim lavender in mid-spring rather than in the autumn. This is to save it from winter cold damage. Unlike sage, lavender should not be cut back to bare wood, but lightly trimmed. Retain about 5cm-8cm (2in-3in) of the previous season's growth. Hedging shears can be used on lavender hedges.
• Neither sage nor lavender is long-lived. Old, straggly specimens are best replaced. Either start with new plants or take softwood and semi-ripe cuttings later in the summer.


Me heids still mince but I'm sitting myself down today and doing a 'life plan' AKA what does make you happy young (ish) pips.

Hope the above help.

In a nutshell be canny with the sage but give yourself access - the others will tolerate a harder prune.

:A

Its this time of day and no lunch yet. Or brekkie :eek:

I guess thats :money:

Oh WOW Pips that you for all that! (OH had a laugh & muttered something about asking an expert a simple question!:rotfl:)

Sage bush will get some TLC this weekend - as always leaves to be dried & made into Christmas gifts!

Didn't know that bays were evergreens, as across the pond, any I've seen loose their leaves due to our extreme cold in the winter! Most people will store them in a green house for the winter. Will leave the Bay for a few weeks & then do something similar with the trimmings - thinking of being crafty as well and making a bay leaf wreath - but really don't want to use a styrofoam base - any ideas?

Also, thank-you for the info about the seed heads - I didn't know that the birdies liked them - I can of course stand the 'mess' if it means lots of little visitors to the garden!

Hope the head is sorting itself out nicely & that the list of goals/wants has helped with direction! XOX

Pippilongstocking

Eeeh you're a grand lot.


DDFW - thank you I hadn't thought of that I'll fathom how to do it. You're lovely to pop in and post, thank you. I'll send rooting vibes to the strawbs and let folks know when they're ready. They're just so yummy.


Starnac - thanks you star, no pun there. You're lovely too. I think like many 'mums' when the focus of the last 2o years shifts and they flee the coup (willingly and happy on both sides) its a bit of an adjustment eh? I remember my confidence disappearing when I became a new mum took me ages to fathom anything.

I've been reading up alot about empty nest syndrome, which allegedly can affect single parents quite hard too for lots of different reasons.

So I'm probably lolling and sulking more than I should to be healthy for me, but I'm also allowing myself too for a bit.

DS leaves next week too - and its so odd to have DD near but not living here. Its good and great they're both awesome, but I do miss them, its a funny adjustment period. When you get your whole life back, takes a while to kinda get use to it. If that makes any sense.

And, I guess I'm so use to being super busy - you're right I need to channel that energy.

You are of course right, I can/have done it - I guess this new life is exciting but I'm a bit bummed I've finished my teaching (3 months early - wasn't expecting that).

I guess I'm a bit reflective and you're right needing a boot up the bum.

All taken well as well.

Pippilongstocking

RT

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Laurus+nobilis

The font of all my 'expert' knowledge.

Shh don't tell.

PS I had no clue about the birds and the buddleia until I watched them last week - they're all over it, can only be the seed heads so I learnt something new too.

Aint nature great.

Tell OH that asking me about plants is tantamount to listening to a monologue for a very long time.

As for wreathes.............

I loved this idea of using pliable twigs and weaving bits in them...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningadvice/10484381/How-to-make-a-beautiful-Christmas-wreath.html

Cheery_Daff

Aw lass, give yourself an easy time for a while as you get used to the fledglings being gone How lovely that they're happy and finding their own lives, and I'm sure they'll keep on coming home over the years too. At least Peedie and Haggis won't be moving out I suppose (I *know* it's not the same... and that sometimes you might wish they would!!)

I quite understand the lack of confidence but you are FAB, as Starnac says, loads of people read and love your writings, you've sold plenty of things before - get that website up and running lass! :j :j :j

xxx

Karmacat

starnac wrote: »

Right! Thats enough of this silly talk. You are an ace gardener. You have already sold loads of plants online before AND you've made money through your blog posts too. GET IT UP AND RUNNING ASAP!!**

And then we'll all celebrate your success with tea, twinks' hobnobs and pancakes and jam

*runs away and hides after shouting at the lovely Pippi on her own diary*

**all said with love :kisses3:

Cheery_Daff wrote: »

Aw lass, give yourself an easy time for a while as you get used to the fledglings being gone

I quite understand the lack of confidence but you are FAB, as Starnac says, loads of people read and love your writings, you've sold plenty of things before - get that website up and running lass! :j :j :j

xxx

What they said :coffee::kisses3::kisses3::kisses3:

I love pfaf, by the way! Another is celtnet, which isn't so authoritative, but has lots of weird little byways that are quite fun

Have a good day, pipster xxx

Pippilongstocking

Aw thanks guys!

KC that site is fab - linky here if anyones interested.

I love PFAF its one of the most useful sites I've used since starting to study plants.

Cheery thanks as well. I think I'm just in a post summer funk too. Definite signs of darker nights and autumnal hues eh.

Brownies made, fires on (free wood

Who's for another cuppa. Excuse disgustingly huge photo of my fab new to me stove.

mooomin

I've got stove envy

I'll never have a kitchen as pretty as that while I live in this flat, but we have the first step of getting it refitted being done this weekend and I'm so excited :j