The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

VJsmum

Having rented a holiday cottage a couple of weeks ago with no outside space, I know i should hate to live somewhere without.  Even a balcony or a small yard would suffice.  Agree about those in high rise, or even low rise, with no outside space during lockdown - it must have been a nightmare.  We are all in the same storm, but we are most definitely not all in the same boat. 

I'm assuming in areas where there is a shortage they must limit the amount of allotment that one household may have?  or does that not happen?  Otherwise, if there are more allotments than those who want them it's better for them to be cultivated, I think.  I'm afraid though i love to see beautiful allotments, i just can't commit the time or energy to having one so hats off to all who do.

Yes, kitty, GQ and others were fab thread contributors. There was also one of the few men on the forum on it who was always worth reading.  I miss those posters... 

TravellingAbuela

It was thanks to Kittie that I learned about the healing power of music.  On her recommendation I ordered a Snatam Kaur cd and it's still my go to cd to calm my soul. Her and her like are much missed.

Floss

I think multiple allotment plots for one person can happen if its a private site, or where gardens are generous & everyone has one, thus not needing another place to grow food. Some sites will allow multiple plots, just as some will allow produce to be sold.

Council sites can be oversubscribedwith long waiting lists & some (Blackpool for certain) will split a plot when one becomes vacant, as much for ease for a newbie as well as reducing the waiting list. I had mine for about 7 or 8 years and the rent was about £70 when I gave it up 2 years ago, including the water bill, so my site even being the largest was definitely not an income generator!

pollyanna_26

That was Nuatha VJ. A really lovely , caring man who gave me lots of useful advice without me asking during the Dell acting up days.I often often wonder how things have been . He cared for both his mum and other half while working.

pollyx

wondercollie

Keep the potato ideas coming.

We al fall into a bit of rut foodwise and often your rut is a great idea to others.  One thing I like to have in the pantry is boil in the bag potato dumplings from Germany.  Yes I know you can make them yourselves but it's so convenient.  And lets face it after working all day, sometimes you want easy eats.

VJsmum

pollyanna_26 said:

That was Nuatha VJ. A really lovely , caring man who gave me lots of useful advice without me asking during the Dell acting up days.I often often wonder how things have been . He cared for both his mum and other half while working.

pollyx

That's the one - he was lovely.  I thought he was IT so it's definitely he.

Here is a link to Jack Monroe's recipe that uses tinned potatoes - i've done it with both fresh and tinned and the tinned were better in this recipe (and i am really fussy about tinned veg and generally avoid it).

https://cookingonabootstrap.com/2012/12/31/moroccan-not-a-tagine-recipe/

MingVase

Polly what a good memory you have. Very handy some times.

And inconvenient at others.

mothernerd

I've seen some things recently about an air b'n'b for gardens - pairing up people who want to grow (veg particularly) with those who have the space but not the time or energy to do anything with it. This could be something useful - especially if it were a community initiative rather than commercial. 

I did a work placement in Hulme (a once notorious part of Manchester) as part of my foundation degree. The infamous crescents had been knocked down and the council took a lot of input from the residents. I know they drew the line at having green roofs and goats (I knew someone who was working there at the time) but they built the new flats with balconies. My placement was a few years later and I loved the community garden and the residents had done wondrous things with those balconies, every bit of space used for greenery and food plants.

boultdj

Pollyanna_26, try Farmfoods, they have Mr Mash in my local one  quite often.

euronorris

I'm sure I saw Mr Mash in BnM the other day. I only remember because it sparked a bit of nostalgia.

Always up for new recipes and ways of using stock so it can be done in rotation.

The mangetout is giving up a little stream of produce now and gradually picking up steam. Cut and come again lettuce is still going wild! Getting strawberries now too, and tomatoes finally started to take off and flowers appearing (they were later than usual for me this year). And will definitely be harvesting at least one set of potatoes this weekend if the weather allows. Bought a smallish, cheap tarpaulin to tip the grow bag over to make it easier this time.

I still haven't managed to sow any carrot, beans or beetroot seeds. Or cucumber or courgette. I should really get onto that this weekend.