“Just Say NOvember; Batten Down the Hatches 2016”.

Living_a_good_life

thriftylass wrote: »

I'm pretty new to gardening too. This year was my experiment year where I tried out lots of different veg etc. Atm my garden is bare. The future potato patch had cuttings and other plant waste dug in to rejuvenate for next year. And next year's veg patch is growing some straggly runner beans and green manure as I totally depleted the nutrients by growing potatoes 3!! years in a row (told you, novice, now I know better )

Yep - a weekend in the garden can leave me pretty battered - never done a spin class but it definitely compares to a workout in the gym!

DH put in raised veg beds in spring this year and we got going once they were filled with a combination of horse poo, our compost heap, chicken poo and topsoil from a friend so the only cost was the wood. Have wondered about green manure but with chicken poo on tap and the beds refilled not sure how I can work that one in.

We have had loads more success with raised beds than we did with the ground level patch because the garden has a fairly high water table. At the moment ready to harvest I've got leeks, Kale, chard, carrots, parsnips, spring onions, radishes and possibly a cabbage or two. Growing on are the sprouts, spinach, spring greens, onion sets, garlic, and some winter rocket in the greenhouse.

This year we had far two many runner beans and not enough peas and no green beans. My outdoor tomatoes got blight but the indoor ones did ok and as ever I had cooking apples coming out of my ears! It takes a lot of time and I always end up out there in the evening and get a pasting by the midges! Aldi super six would definitely hurt less! Some days if feels like I live in a dodgy episode of the Good life but its fun - most of the time!

What were your faves out of you different veg trials? - mine was some wilko cheap radish seeds called Icicle - long white radishes that taste amazing!
Had better stop now! LAGL xx

thriftylass

Living_a_good_life wrote: »

What were your faves out of you different veg trials? - mine was some wilko cheap radish seeds called Icicle - long white radishes that taste amazing!
Had better stop now! LAGL xx

For me it was mostly about what do we actually eat, what grows and what has the least pests and doesn't take a lot of care. Our estate was built on very fertile land which helps.

I also learnt that I need to take the time to thin out seedlings or seed them better.

Cabbagy things got decimated by slugs, so need netting or sth as I really liked the pointed cabbage and kohlrabi. Broccoli and sprouts take up too much space for what you got out of it (and I'm the only one who likes the latter). The kids loved the green beans and carrots. Also parsnips again, spring onions, kale. Spinach and chard, probably not (gets eaten by bugs and not enough by us). Will also try beetroot again and pak choi before it gets too warm. On top of that some leeks and potatoes. Chillies, tomatoes and herbs inside as well as cucumber (need to make sure I buy the self fertilising kind this time or go round and do the deed for them. I could go on too.....:rotfl:

Also got one apple tree, a redcurrent bush, red gooseberry bush, blackberry bush, blue berry bush and strawberry plants that all take care of themselves and just need pruning. Oh and my rhubarb is coming back, thought I killed it.

Ok, I stop now really

Poppy3008

well I have managed a run today (5K) - cant say I enjoyed it. I am still yet to do a NSD, off to station tonight to get train to London and will have to get food there. The fridge is literally empty, no bread in freezer either! Which is the point I think - will make it a cheap snack. No fuel needed yet.
Had to pay the electrician today - and book him for next year so I have power to the new garage. Wish I could do it now but no money. Will start saving for this. I have transferred money to pay the kennels, dog walker (yes a luxury but only this month - 3 times only), and train fares whilst in London so I know that money is ring-fenced out of the account.
Need to sit down with OH and discuss a year plan for house things - what to decorate and when. Need to try and persuade him to postpone painting the camper van till spring - its not like we are using it until then! Wish me luck - its a project he has his heart set on.
Checked the mortgage as requested to overpay £100 a month which had not been set up yet - could cry looking at the interest we are charged! Need to make bigger overpayments as soon as possible!!

Savvy_sewing

I have had to do some food shopping today, out of my budget for the month. £16.45 spent on what we needed for the week ahead.
As I didn't want to spend often I thought ahead and brought what I think I needed for the next week. Mainly meat and packup things.

But I did earn extra income of £47.00 so I am fairly happy about that.

jojitsui

Hi all. Another NSD for me and I have declined an invite to the pub!! I think this has more to do with the dog being so scared of the fireworks than my willpower but I will still take it!!

I know we are only on day 4 but I have realised how much money I spend on stuff I do not need. In these four days I would have already spent at least £100!! I have been putting off doing a course due to the cost, but today I have decided I am going to start an open uni course in Feb!! By this time I am hoping to have my credit card bill paid off and have a small amount saved!
Really annoyed that I have £60 in a sky bet account that I cannot withdraw. I Will try again tomorrow and if not I will be contacting them. I have a bingo account with a few pound in. If I use this will it be classed as a spend? (it isn't enough to withdraw??)

Bobarella

x_raphael_xx wrote: »

I was thrilled with the 5p I found on a stroll round the park earlier (leaf scuffing as I went). It went straight into the turtlepig. (Raphael themed piggy bank received as a birthday present).
NSD no.3 for me & cashed out another £5 from surveys.

Gotta love a penny found. I was annoyed today as I could see 5p at the tills in Mr S but the attendant was right there so I couldn't get it...:mad:

Bobarella

thriftylass wrote: »

Hello,

today will be another NSD. I took beef, pork and lamb mince out of the freezer (into the fridge) and chicken. The chicken will be cut up, marinated and frozen again for a quick dinner/stir fry in the week. The mince will be turned into bolognese/chilli base, and various meatballs that I'll precook as we'd like to start trying to eat earlier and with the kids. Sth we only do Fri to Sun atm. Just have to find out how to best stretch the mince for meatballs. To my bolognese I usually add red lentils and other veg, but not sure about meatballs. Any suggestions? I read somewhere oats or beans. I usually add some breadcrumbs especially to fatty lamb mince.

Hi Thrifty

Onions, and carrots chopped fine might work nicely as padding.

Bob

Toni'sfriend

Thrifty – I'm sorry I have broken every rule today.

Went for lunch with C and my friend and had a couple of gin and tonics. In my defence she had come all the way from London on her own to attend the funeral and we felt we must say thank you to her.

However, I have no excuse for buying the two reduced packets of fish in M & S other than I like smoked haddock. It didn't cost much and I've deducted it from the food budget,

I'll try and do better tomorrow.

crazy_cat_lady

First spend day of the month for me - shopping at L1dl. £43 for the week ahead (I'm back to weekly shopping now we have a local supermarket again) - very pleased with that. Also pleased just to have survived the week at work. It's been a tough one.

Bobarella

Hi All

Planned spend day today. £13 in the supermarket. That will be enough to ensure the next 2 days are NSDs. Unexpected incidents allowing I should hit military this week.

Mothernerd Your son has been in the wars! I'm glad he rescued the old man!

I came across an old boy in a broken down invalid carriage on the school run. But he seemed calm and was calling for help on his mobile so thanked me but waved me on.

Dolly Did you overcome the overwhelmed feeling? By the way DS gave me his £1. It's my birthday next week and he keeps telling me each day where I am on the countdown, lol. So that inspired his kindness I think.

Bob