OS ways and Poor Health

maddiemay

Polly, lovely to see your post here and on other thread.

I am feeling, like many I think, a little weary and rather irritable, the sun has been lovely, but getting too tiring now. Not helping having to do so much garden watering, heavy clay and plants that have been in situ for several years are trying to die. Used hose pipe up until Water Company requested otherwise yesterday, will struggle on with the cans from now on.

I will go back and read your post properly when it is cooler and my brain is feeling a little less fogged, but great to notice that lots of good things have been happening too.

Virtual hugs and spoons to everyone.

MM

P.S. I have a system when using the hose in that I filled the cans and checked how much I gave to each plant, and then checked how long it took with the hose to put that much water in the can, then counted as I did each plant with the hose, not very scientific, but made me feel that I was not using more water than I would be prepared to carry

pollyanna_26

It's good to see you too maddie I wondered how you were .


Clay is a real challenge for a gardener at the best of times but worse than ever in such hot dry conditions . I'm lucky to have well draining soil and have been able to get to a point where I rarely use the hose . The trees , shrubs and tough perennials have been on a tough regime for years here . I've barely lost one . Frost is more of a problem . Apart from Scented geraniums I grow only the tough perennials .
I started growing a lot of veg in raised beds and large pots . Salad leaves are in wide deep window box liners and I grow the bush cherry tomatoes in huge terracotta pots . Pots and liners are in groups around the garden . I drown them with the watering can and they all stay damp for quite a while in their own little micro climate .
I have one of those flat trolleys that can be used to move containers and compost around . The wheelbarrow is also useful . Over the years a lot of people have bought me lovely metal or enamel watering cans . I fill them from the garden tap and use the wheelbarrow or trolley to move the cans around to the areas needing water . It takes a lot of pain and effort out of watering .


It took my eldest daughter and I a number of years to sort her clay garden in Yorkshire . She then moved to another part of Yorkshire and her soil is perfect .


I think we're all feeling out of sorts and a bit ratty at the moment . I don't cope well with a lot of sun due to my fair colouring . At least one day the rain will return . There have been some sea breezes along the NW coast today but they have fanned the flames and joined the fires together . Someone was arrested quite quickly and is charged with setting the second fire . So I am doing a lot of ranting at various stupid choices at the moment .


I'm hearing a couple of helicopters going over as I post . Not sure if it's our air sea rescue one which they may have called as back up . Over near Saddleworth there are now fire services from many areas of the uk lending a hand . It's so sad , I was watching a report about all the wildlife and plants that will never be there for many years if ever .


Well I 'm waffling again maddie . Just need not to melt before Poldark . Will have a cold drink and start watering the veg and geraniums and fill the bird baths for the umpteenth time today .


Take care

polly x

Primrose

maddiemay wrote: »

P.S. I have a system when using the hose in that I filled the cans and checked how much I gave to each plant, and then checked how long it took with the hose to put that much water in the can, then counted as I did each plant with the hose, not very scientific, but made me feel that I was not using more water than I would be prepared to carry

I expect a lot of our gardens and plants are suffering from the heat now and I wouldn't be surprised to see a hosepipe ban imposed in our area soon which will be a nightmare for me as I can't lift heavy watering cans having had back surgery.

However last time a ban was imposed I read the conditions very carefully for our area and spotted that said hosepipes were banned but a hosepipe COULD be used for filling a portable container.

So I took the hosepipe to the edge of the vegetable patch where I filled up the watering can in situ and then watered all my veg with that. The spirit of the law was observed but it saved me risking further back injury, even though I could only fill the cans half full because they would have been too heavy. Still it did save me lugging cans back and forth to the bottom of the garden where all vegetable patches usually seem to be !

pollyanna_26

That sounds fine Primrose in view of your health . I had a rant over on the garden fence earlier today concerning the actions of the only annoying neighbour in these parts spending hours with a pressure washer and that led on to what each of us do.


Looking back to the summer of 76 we ran hosepipes out from the bathroom window to siphon the bathwater on to the plants . Washing up bowls were emptied on the plants . In my case that ship has long since sailed . I was in my twenties then and no way can I go to extremes nowadays .


The wheelbarrow or flat bed truck are not too difficult to move to the pots and beds that have to be watered . I did it a short while ago and can feel the neck and shoulders complaining but it will calm down at some point .


It's nice to hear from you . Has the surgery helped at all? It's hard trying to pace at such times but you sound as though you wont push to your limits so hopefully if improvement is expected it will come .


I confess a few good heavy downpours would help at the moment but no sign at all in the days ahead .


On a lighter note I saw a picture posted by Lancashire Fire Services on the bbc Lancashire online page . it's a fireman who's with the fire crew from Nottingham who with many other outside crews are trying to help fight the fire here in the NW . There is a tiny bird nestled in the big glove worn by the officer . Rescued from the moor and hopefully will be ok .


Look after yourself

polly x

Tink_04

Hi everyone

Nice to see you back Polly!

I'm on count down to the summer holidays and have a 6 week plan - I just need to organise food - meals to prep and snacks so I'm not having to stress.

The sun has been great and we have been enjoying the garden! I've been planting and have potatoes - green beans - peas - strawberries - tomatoes - chilli - herbs and lettuce! Phew! They are all just in pots but I'm happy with what we have built up! I'm looking at ways I can freeze or store any extra crops I get? Just hoping for something first tho!

Money is a bit tight this month and think it's going to have to be until Xmas. Been over on the DFW board and looking at saving and stashing what I can for now. Work has been rally hard to as there is an on going dispute and it's causing me so much stress - I'm trying really to think about my mind more. I'm looking at what I can and can't control and I can only control what I think and my actions - I have no control over anything else so trying to keep my mind focused on that and just enjoy my time when I'm home.

I'm finding sleeping hard again but think it's all part of the course for now.

Tink

Prinzessilein

Morning folks!

Despite living by the coast, I am wilting in the heat! Roll on October!

We don't have a hosepipe ban here...well, not yet. But I don't have a car to wash, and Mum's small herb garden COULD be watered with buckets...so it wouldn't affect me much!....A restriction on showers would be a problem though! I shower a LOT! (Partly to keep me cool, and partly as part of my skin-condition-management-program)


I am REALLY hoping to get up enough energy for a walk down to the cliffs soon. It is just not right to live by the sea and not actually go and see it sometimes!!!

The heat is making sleep difficult too - I live in an adapted ground-floor flat - and we are advised NOT to leave windows open overnight. (We have had unfortunate incidents with people getting in through open windows in the night before....It gets SO hot overnight!

I am somewhat jealous of you Tink!...Your harvest should be wonderful!...We used to grow tomatoes -and had apple trees....and Mum made the most AWESOME chutney!

I have already started on my Christmas prep...knitting for the OCC boxes is now complete (just need to sew up the hats)...and Christmas Cards are being considered (I make my own - Cross Stitch)...It's not really 'good planning' to start early.... more necessity as I am so slow!

One big bit of news....I have finally done it!!!!!!!8230;.I mentioned some time ago that I was going to do it...and I did...!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;!!!8230;...I have got a wig!!!!! A lovely woman agreed to visit me at home, and brought some samples When she came in she smiled and said 'Female Pattern Alopecia?' and was so helpful...I now have a shaggy bob of brown hair with reddish and blonde highlights...a full head of hair for the first time in decades!...I can go out to the shops without wearing a hat!...I am already thinking of getting a second one (cropped perhaps, brown with ash blonde streaks)

Busy day today...I want to clean out the fridge...and I have a pile of magazines to sort through(clip any patterns/recipes...the rest go on the communal table for other residents to grab what they want)

Good to hear from others here!

Primrose

[QUOTE=Prinzessilein;74476564



The heat is making sleep difficult too - I live in an adapted ground-floor flat - and we are advised NOT to leave windows open overnight. (We have had unfortunate incidents with people getting in through open windows in the night before....It gets SO hot overnight!

[/QUOTE]

I share your frustration about not being able to have the windows open at night in a downstairs flat because of the fear of intruders. When we were in this position we rigged up a very effective Heath Robinson intruder alarm for no cost. This will work if you have normal windows with side opening handles

Tie some strong dark cotton or string through the holes in the opening tabs of two or three empty fizzy drink cans such as CocaCola. Make the string long enough so that the bunch of cans dangles below the Window ledge out of line of sight.

Make a small loop at the other end of the piece of string and slip it firmly over the top of the window handle so that it doesn,t easily slip off.

Then open the Window a few inches. Once its dark you dont see the dangling string but but the slightest movement trying to open the window further will cause a tremendous jangling noise as the aluminium cans all rattle together. It works!

I believe you can also buy small battery operated sensors which you can place in a room which will set off an alarm if any movement is sensed but be mindful they may go off an 3am if you need to visit the bathroom !

pollyanna_26

Prinzess it is so lovely to see you back . I do wonder how things are going with you and mum .
I've got some phone calls to make but will catch up in a bit . Nice to see the gang reuniting .:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
polly x

Bertles

Hi Everyone!

I feel like I'm butting in here but I think you might me the ones to help me.

Does anyone here use a chair when cooking? I can't stand very long in the kitchen and I miss cooking but all I can find are perching stools, which I feel are too low down, and bar stools which don't seem safe.

Do you have any recommendations?

xx

Prinzessilein

Hi Bertles!

You're not butting in...we are a lovely and accepting bunch over here...always ready to welcome someone new! (You DID bring cake didn't you??!! )

My kitchen is pretty small...I tend to bring prep a bit in the kitchen, and then bring bowls into the lounge so I can do more stuff whilst sitting in my big comfy chair!

I am a short lass, and the idea of a bar stool makes me snicker a little....no WAY could I clamber on top of one and perch there even without a deadly weapon (aka veg knife!) in my unsteady hands!

I also make the most of gadgets...no way I could stand up long enough to chop onions et.c for soup, so I use a chopper...and then recently got a soup maker that cooks and blends for me.

Have you considered getting one work surface 'dropped' so you can sit there with a low chair?


It really boils down to what works for you!