It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

Floss

Deleted_User said:
... I do have some runner bean seeds but have never done a wigwam before and am weirdly nervous?! 

Don't be - just give each long cane 2 bean plants & tie the  cane tops together, and pop a small water bottle on top, partly to protect eyes from poking canes & partly as a bird deterrent. They will soon start climbing & twirling their tendrils around. I have done wigwams of 3, 4 and even 5 canes, it all depends on space.

When in full production you will need to pick at least every other day. Also, when you plant out your seedlings, pop a new bean into every hole for the next succession of plants.

MovingForwards

This year I've got kale, spinach, peas and borlotto beans. Spuds, turnips, beetroots, carrots and parnsips. Onions and garlic. Various herbs, fruit trees, fruit bushes and strawberries. 

I have some of last year's kale, leeks, carrots, turnips, parsnips and beetroots still in the ground, together with some late developing onions and garlic. Picking things as and when I want them and having early crops due to nature being a bit slow.

Going outside and grabbing a raspberry or strawberry when passing was phenomenal, cracking open fresh peas while watching TV was something I had dreamed of. 

My garden isn't huge.

sammy_kaye18

Ive got peas, runner beans, spring onions, lettuce, rocket, leek,  carrots, beets, radish, courgette, cucumber, peppers and tomatoes. 

Ive also tried some potatoes but our local shop does a big bag for £4 so if worse comes to worse I will get one of them if mine don’t work. 

I have a greenhouse too and I’m trying to stagger planting so I’m not inundated with things. 

I’m trying to focus on things we eat and will use as well as what can be frozen/stored as well and watching what we put into our body to help boost our health. 

Ive heard ginger and garlic are easy to grow too 

Datchet

We had to give up our allotment owing to work pressure/ other commitments/ pressure from other allotment holders - however, we have swallowed the cost of a couple of raised beds at home. garlic is in the ground and in g/h we have toms, chillis, cucumbers, purple runner beans, borlotto beans, courgette, kale, chard and kohlrabi. We have strawberry’s, raspberries, gooseberry and a very prolific blackcurrant bush. We will have a few potatoes in bags, but we are still eating last years’ ! To offset cost we sell excess rhubarb at end of drive ( occasionally we sell ‘bog roll’ bean seedlings!, 6 for £1) we have lingering Jerusalem Artichokes (we sell as can’t digest!) rhubarb wine is on the go for next year. We dry the borlotto beans and rehydrate for stews. 

Ps. We have two mature cooker Appletrees, so many that they are a great barter crop. Plum tree, but not frequently useable fruit.  We realise how lucky we are to have inherited these trees.

Effician

I start our climbing bean seeds off in tin cans with both ends removed to make a cylinder , this serves 2 purposes as it means 

1) i dont need to pot on as they just go straight into position in the edge of the lawn up against the fence where they climb quite happily & out of the way , much better looking than a plain fence as well.

2) as i leave 2" of tin can above ground i can still strim the edge of the lawn without fear of cutting down the beans.

QueenJess

Has anyone seen this? Could be good news for this year.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/20/uk-consumers-able-to-track-renewable-energy-hourly-under-new-plans?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Woolsery

There is no good news for energy prices this year, or any year until we increase nuclear generation. The reason we're in this mess is partly because we've decomissioned capacity and not filled the gap with renewables. Solar and wind generation have their place, but sometimes it's dark and the wind is minimal.

QueenJess

That’s what batteries and undersea cables are for. Nuclear is horribly expensive and the lead time is enormous.

greenbee

There’s also tidal, wave and hydrothermal to consider. 

Woolsery

QueenJess said:

That’s what batteries and undersea cables are for. Nuclear is horribly expensive and the lead time is enormous.

The new small nuclear stations don't take as long as the old. Although they have their problems, other technologies do too. The question that needs answering is why we are in this foreseeable position. In connection with that, bear in mind the well-off  already have the batteries you speak of, so won't be seriously affected by rationing of electricity. I can't see HRH up at Highgrove doing without his crumpets.