From debt to freedom...

savingholmes

Jan- I've always just planted cornflowers out directly in one of those wildflower mix shake it type packs. Never had an issue.
HSL - Glad you got your walk. Bats flitting around can be magical.

Honeysucklelou2

janb5 said:

Hi HSL,  I have a bag of semolina particularly for this recipe and it`s cheaper than ground almonds!
I have some cornflower seeds but no greenhouse.  Could I plant the cornflower seeds in directly or is that risky?

Cornflowers are hardy annuals so they  should be fine to be sown directly in the ground. They might take a little longer to germinate depending on where you are in the country.  Alternatively  a sunny window sill would help them to germinate more quickly and they  can then be hardened off and planted out in the ground.

Honeysucklelou2

First week of the summer term is completed. It’s bizarre getting used to a different way of working but I’m very thankful to be able to continue in my  job. By yesterday evening , the effect of being on the computer for much of the week, gave me quite a headache so I have been very thankful to have got to the allotment today and felt a little more human again! I’m sure the headache was a mix of poor sleep and computer time but gone now.

Cornflowers were planted out today and some cerinthe. I’ve got some Nigella that is coming on and can go out next week.  DD2 has been a star and helped me to turn over another overgrown bed. The younger DDs have been busy raking over the soil to get a fine tilth before planting. Sweet corn was sown in cell trays today for minimal root disturbance when they get planted out. The kale germinated last week so was of a decent size to pr*ck out today.

I paid the money from garden gate plant sales into my account yesterday and paid  £27 off the balance of the window loan which brings me into the £800s. Hurray, it’s going down slowly. At least when the next payment comes out at the end of the month, I should be paying a little less interest and a little more capital. Some more plants sold today so hopefully I can pay off another chunk soon.

janb5

I wish I lived near you as I`d be at the gate buying your plants!

Mumoffourkids

I love the idea of selling plants at your gate. What a wonderful way to earn a few more pennies to pay off your debts.

janb5

HSL..is it all possible to sell your seeds via mail order/Ebay?
........` forms an orderly queue`...!

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Jan and  Mumoffourkids.

I hadn’t thought of that Jan. I’ve got more plants than seeds as  many of my seeds were either found while tidying up or ordered in early March and I put them straight in. I’ve got peas and runner beans still left to sow. Will chat to DD2, who is a bit more savvy than me about EBay.

I have had such a lazy day today. I stayed up quite late last night in a bid to finish off work tasks, but DS3 was up bright and early at 6am. I got up so he wasn’t on his own, but have been  sitting  down and reading rather than rushing around.  I’ve had a couple of chats with DD1 which has been lovely - I do miss her. At 4 I did get cracking and walked the elderly lurcher on our usual Sunday  afternoon circular route. The bluebells are starting to flower and we passed a lilac tree which gave off its beautiful fragrance. It’s amazing  how much the hedgerows change from week to week at this time of year.  The patchwork of fields are a mix of vibrant green and brown, as more are ploughed and drilled.  I love this time of year, these few weeks when the bluebells start to flower, the first campion flowers are such a vivid pink and the last of the stitchwort makes for a frothy white display. The 3 colours together, complement each other so beautifully . Only here for a few short weeks before the stitchwort dies off, so has to be enjoyed now!

I’ve cooked tea and cleaned up but can’t say I’ve rushed to do anything 😳. Perhaps sometimes quieter days are necessary!

savingholmes

Quieter days are great for resetting and finding peace. Glad you had one.

janb5

Hi HSL..I sell on Ebay daily so happy to help if you want to PM me.  The advantage of selling seeds is that the postage is negligible and you could do quite well.  Have a look at the site and then check out flower seeds etc.  It`ll give you an idea of whether you want to do it or not.

sashybo

Honeysuckle, I've bought plant cuttings on ebay before to grow on - maybe another option to think about?