The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

[Deleted User]

Something I picked up online this morning that might not be 'prepping' in the sense of emergency preparedness but might be worth flagging up is an article about wasps this year.  Apparently wasp activity has been slower than normal because of the weather we've been having but the prediction is that in July and August we will see more than usual of wasps and their nests and that we should keep an eye out for nests in the area round our dwellings as there are likely to be more than usual.

We have the milkman for convenience as he lives here in the village and so does the egg producer so it's better for the local economy and the environment to stay local.

Floss

I'm sorry Sue, I had missed your sad news x

silvasava

SS - Sincere condolences, you have so much on your plate at the moment, take it gently.

After having my milk delivered for over 40 years in glass bottles I've had to cancel as the only company that delivers in my area has decided they want to be paid by accessing my debit card instead of the DD I've had for years. There's not as much protection for the consumer this way and there have been reports of customers being wrongly charged and difficulties getting their money back. Progress it aint!
I now buy from either my local Co-op or farm ship instead.
Boazu,I notice you have said you have veg boxes delivered and knowing you have always kept allotments do you or are you able to to choose the veg that either you can't grow or veg that is not producing yet?
My climbing beans are climbing but not doing anything else yetalthough all the fruit bushes and the rhubarb is doing well.

Floss

Silva, I'm well jel of those with rhubarb - mine isn't old enough to produce this year. Raspberries are starting to fill & colour up though, the strawberries are scrummy and I've got baby tomatoes set on my outdoor plants 😁

[Deleted User]

We have the boxes through the winter and spring when the plot is dormant or growing on and then drop them through the summer and autumn when we've enough from the plots to keep us and the DDs supplied.  We use Riverford Organics so can't chose what's in the box but they have several variants with different combinations of contents and you can swap the one you have delivered week on week to get the things you'll use. It's not cheap but the produce is in better condition than supermarket packs seem to be and keeps longer in the fridge so  it's worth us getting the deliveries.

Runners and French beans are flowering here in the shelter of the back garden and the blackberries, loganberries and raspberries both here and on the plot are covered in more blossom than I've seen in years.  Rhubarb still going strong and I made rhubarb cordial over the weekend and a crumble.  Potatoes looking good and onions are swelling, broad beans set pods and all the root veg is growing on too.  First few courgettes from the allotment plants came home last week as well and some nice little gem lettuce hearts along with a good firm headed summer cabbage.  We're doing OK!

Nargleblast

-taff said:

Our milk is delivered by a milkman too. He's been round at 12 o clock a lot of nights and the latest I think was 3 am...I much prefer having it delivered even if it costs a little bit more. I haven't run out of it, I don't have to nip to the shops for it [and then spend another 20 quid wandering the aisles for other things I don't need but can't resist] and it's helping local people for me to do that.

I feel I have to point out I am not decrying anyone who doesn't, just in case someone decides to take offence at the potential of me implying it's the 'best' way, those are my reasons, eveyone can do as they like.

Why on Earth would anyone take offence at that? Some people find supermarkets more convenient, others like the doorstep delivery. I have used a milkman for about 3 years or more - a handwritten letter came through the door one day from this milkman saying how badly his trade was being affected by supermarkets, and almost begging people to at least consider having some of their milk from the milkman. He picked up a lot of trade by doing that. The milk is £1.79 for a 4 pinter from local dairies, eggs £1.25 a half dozen and orange juice £1.10 a pint bottle. Dearer than a supermarket but I am happy to pay that extra to help the local economy. The eggs are huge, those chickens' eyes must water every day! Sadly, if my milkhound son moves out again, I will have to rethink the deliveries because I don't drink much milk myself.

MingVase

Suffolksue, I'm so sorry. Take time to find your new way  xxx

Nargleblast

Adjusting, adapting, Suffolk Sue. Not easy, but you will get there eventually. No rush.

LameWolf

@Suffolksue my apologies, I missed your sad news as I only get here sporadically these days. My sincere condolences.

@Nargleblast at all my previous homes I wouldn't have dared have milk delivered, as it wouldn't have stayed on the doorstep long enough for me to fetch it in. Even when I lived in a village, there was someone (or probably several someones) who swiped milk from doorsteps on a regular basis.

greenbee

So sorry to hear your news @Suffolksue. Take your time to work out what works for you.

@Floss - I only just got round to putting the last of my rhubarb in the ground at the weekend! Salad and broadbeans are doing well, some toms set on a couple of plants in the greenhouse, chillies and peppers thinking about flowering. Strawberries producing very, very slowly. Bean just starting to climb. Work manic, and about to become more so!