Daydream fund challenge part 4

Ted_Head

I planted some garlic cloves and something has pulled them out of the ground - can anyone think what animal bird does that?

Sorry for butting in.

ukmaggie45

My guess would be pigeons, but hopefully somebody who knows more than me will be along!

Ted_Head

Cheers - thanks for that.

Davesnave

I'd guess pigeons too, or another reasonably large bird, such as any member of the corvid family, or even blackbirds. Just plant a bit deeper....

Life goes on, but where is everyone, especially our resident expert on matters scientific, Dafty? Hope he's OK.

The big ash tree's second, leaning trunk is gone! It's now single stemmed and looking much nicer. We decided to do the deed yesterday while there was sunshine and little wind, timing the felling between the hourly buses. Only part of it fell on the road and it was cleared by the time any vehicles came along.

We also had the chimney swept; our guy going up on the roof to clean the bird cowl and doing the normal stuff inside while we sat in the conservatory with all the doors wide open. He's only doing booked customers till April 1st, by which time most of us have switched to oil anyway.

Today, it's the septic tank's partial clear out, all done outside, so no big problem there and anyway I don't usually shake hands with the guy!

The fishing passport people have just emailed to say all their waters are closed because of the risk. What risk? People buy tickets by email, deposit them in a box at the venue and go fishing. The end. Anyone who gets within 25m of anyone else when fishing is crowding them; it's just not done! I think the real danger is that bored people might break the regulations, forget virus woes and enjoy themselves for a few hours....

So.... it was with great pleasure that I received the news from Pete that I can fish his river free this season, as he's been unable to let it to anyone.

Davesnave

Ted_Head said:

Sorry for butting in.

Don't be sorry; this thread is open to all, at any time.

I wish more people would butt in; our problem is that many have butted-out!

Rummer

How is everyone? We have been achieving great things in the garden. Building and filling raised beds as well as getting lots of seeds started indoors. We had a load of compost and bark delivered to the house before lockdown so we can keep busy. No longer going to the allotment which is frustrating however it will be there when we can return.

Davesnave

Compost may be in short supply for a time, Rummer, so you made the right decision.

Our septic tank man changed his schedule and messed up my plans to do a 'vulnerable person's hour' shop early this morning, but I braved the police road checks and went into Barnstaple later to grab some perishables. I was impressed with the way the supermarket had things organised; it was very calm inside, and a little spooky too. I wanted to get through quickly, but the strangeness meant I was almost as slow as usual

greenbee

I'm waiting for a delivery of topsoil, compost, rose food and seeds. Hopefully sometime over the weekend. I'd ordered a hotbin composter, raised bed and veg cage from Harrod, but only the veg cage is being dispatched on schedule. Hotbin have stopped production, so who knows when that will turn up. Raised bed is due back in stock on April 10th which TBH gives me time to get the ground prepared for it. I've also got a couple of planters on order, which are due to arrive next week. Given that I'm not travelling for the foreseeable future, I've got time to get stuff done in the garden.

I've got a pile of pallets to deal with - I could try to use them to make another raised bed, or I could make a larger compost bin than the ones I've currently got.

I also need to get a greenhouse ordered, as I had the base laid, but the second-hand one I was given proved too complicated to put up. I'm going to need to pay for installation as I know I won't be able to put one together single handed. I've got a 9' x 6' base, so plenty of room, although if it was 8 foot it would be hard work getting in and out of the doors as it's very close to a raised bed at one end and the compost bins at the other. And as I've just had my work bonus, I can afford to get it done soon. Any suggestions on how to choose/recommendations would be appreciated. 

RAS

Davesnave said:

Ted_Head said:

Sorry for butting in.

Don't be sorry; this thread is open to all, at any time.

I wish more people would butt in; our problem is that many have butted-out!  

Test worked
Can I butt back in? Tried a long post yesterday and lost it.
Thought I was locked out until I got the email about the new site. Rather busy at that time of year but now that activity is halted,

Davesnave

Good to see you again RAS! And greenbee too. I was wondering why so few had logged-in when so many have been locked-down, but I suppose that's not everyone. For example, my DD2 is busier than ever, though probably not as busy as she would have been if the wedding was going ahead.

On the subject of compost again, I was told at Mole Valley Farmers that the factory had been shut down, so what I saw was all they had. In the light of that, I took less than I really wanted, but I have enough now, assuming we don't need to sell much for a month or two.

The new MSE site isn't great, and apparently it doesn't work for alfie at all. I hope she's OK.... and someone else I'm worried about, as my texts and phone calls aren't going through.

Greenhouses.....I've never had a new one, so I've no idea really. Rhino are supposedto be good, but they don't seem to make a 9'x6'.