The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

Thriftygifty

That must be a huge relief Euronorris regarding your daughter. DS came out in a rash all over his face a couple of weeks ago and I've no idea what triggered that, he has a milk and soya allergy but this was something new, we will now be keeping Piriton in the house, DH had finished it with his hay-fever without me knowing.

I was under the impression that local councils had a statutory obligation duty to provide allotments if there were great enough demand for them. Our local allotment has a 2yr waiting list and I believe a high turn over of people who it's just to much for us included a few yrs back before children. They've split the plots in half which makes alot of sense however what I don't understand the very minimal amount that you pay to have an allotment in our town why don't people have to pay a deposit which they either get back if their plot is clear when they give it up or forfeit it and it be used to clear the plot for new person, when we got ours the amount of rubbish and wood from old raised beds was ridiculous it was impossible to get growing until we put in time to clear it, that's just my bug, maybe some can't afford the deposits or goes against the ethos. 

I also have started to avoid reading the news online it's all to much for me at the moment but welcome it being shared here, I like the fact it's brief and I can decide if it's something I need to be concerned about. 

Our larder is looking alittle wiped out, I've decided whilst things are calm(ish) to refill it a little each week rather than lots in one go. I had an email from the Gov today addressed to my Dad saying that they have stopped sharing info with the supermarkets etc and priority is over with however some supermarkets may wish to continue, it was alittle bitter sweet.

Carboot sales and jumble trails are starting back up, I will be venturing to them and being very careful, I've missed them and its crazy how much things add up in normal price shopping than second hand prices. 

Floss

Thrifty, I had to pay a deposit for mine, was only £25 but was £100 by the time I gave mine up which covered the cost of reparation & provision of keys.

MingVase

I think this is the time to be watching the news very carefully - not getting political here as don't want the thread shut down - but this govt is very unpredictable shall we say, and so much is going on behind the public view that we definitely have to stay alert and up to date. Plus covid plus brexit..  "interesting times" are upon us

Thriftygifty

Floss said:

Thrifty, I had to pay a deposit for mine, was only £25 but was £100 by the time I gave mine up which covered the cost of reparation & provision of keys.

That makes total sense I've no idea why it's not a rule at ours, if you don't have means of getting rid of the waste ie a car etc you are doomed from the start.

Ming that sounds ominous 🤔 

Nargleblast

Governments are always up to shenanigans.

MingVase

Yep,   True saying - a preppers number one enemy is always his own govt.

thriftwizard

We pay a deposit for our allotments, which is returned when you hand it over "in good order" - I think the chances of getting mine back are minimal, as our shed was being given away free on Gumtree for firewood, & I've laid paths & split the plot into beds, which we're not really supposed to do - but we've had, and are still getting, so much food out of it that that we're quids in, many times over. Plus it's been a wonderful refuge during lockdown; somewhere to go outside our own four walls, plus lots of free exercise!

This weekend we've picked the first broad beans - enough for 7 of us - introduced DS1's partners to the delights of steamed & buttery chard flowering tips, had a smashing rhubarb crumble as well as freezing some, and the first few pod peas. The first early spuds will be ready soon, as will the first sowing of beetroot, & the courgettes have started to flower. I've been eating strawberries and redcurrants whilst working up there, too, and oddly enough harvesting nettles over the fence; the seeds, which are extremely nutritious, have been dried & will be added to things throughout the year, which I also do with the fresh new shoots in spring. The leaves & stalks have been made into a fermented plant juice, to feed the tomatoes, courgettes & other hungry plants. Why waste a free resource?!

Toonie

I've been on the allotment list here in my borough of London for about 9 years. I'm still nowhere near getting one. I'll stay on the list though and in the meantime I have the raised beds that my DP made. Though, rather sadly all my courgette plants have been chomped and most of the kale has gone. We have two very bold wood pigeons who I've caught eating kale...any tips on keeping the remaineder secure from the feathered munchers?

I have lots of strawberries ripening now, just in time for my birthday this week, so that will be nice. Also just noticed the first sign of grapes popping up on one of the vines. And I'm picking salad daily for mine and DPs lunchboxes.

My other preps for potential unemployment are coming along, I've signed up with some agencies which offer emergency nannies, plus I've been canvassing the local parenting groups for anyone needing childcare. I've got this week off work, so I've continued looking at finances for DP and myself. I've sorted out our credit cards onto balance transfers, changed energy supplier, and I've found a new mobile deal for DP to cut his bill by two thirds. There isn't much else we can cut down on as everything else we have is already at a basic level.

I've made a list of other preps to look into, including trying to find myself some smart interview clothes (in the charity shops), as I'm applying for any job I can reasonably do (the joys of a chronic condition). I'm also going to have a good old sort out this week and see if there is anything that can be sold on or donated or swapped.

My plan today is to bake something as I'm meeting up with some friends on Wednesday for a bring your own picnic (first time in over a year seeing each other) and I am really looking forward to seeing friends.

annieb64

My DD2 and partner have just got an allotment.  It's  a half plot which is enough for them. Somebody had had the plot for about ten years but let it get overgrown so they are struggling to clear it. They were quite surprised  to get it so you may be lucky,
 Toonie.

Not sure what you do about wood pigeons. I can remember  my father taking pot shots at them out of the kitchen window in 1962/3 but don't  think you could do that these days.

Good luck with finding interview  clothes and I hope you get some interviews

[Deleted User]

It's our 2 half allotment plots that sit next to one another that we work to the full that have enabled us to save the money we would have had to spend on fresh produce that has let us save up enough over the years to install the woodstove. A large proportion of our food stocks are home made preserves and pickles, chutneys and dehydrated fruit and veg and frozen fruit and veg too. It gives me the leeway in the weekly housekeeping to buy in tinned and dry goods to go in the prepping stores too.

We have around 80 plots on the site and at least 10 of them are unworked and in need of someone to take them on so we're not taking growing space from anyone else by having a whole plot even if it is in two halves.