2023 Frugal Living Challenge

Glittering_M

By chance I came across the following article where someone asks how much space one would need to become self sufficient for a family of 4. I found it quite interesting reading some of the comments. It has also reminded me I want to learn more about how to preserve the fruit and veg I grow. 

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/mar/12/how-big-a-garden-would-you-need-to-be-self-sufficient-for-a-family-of-four#comments

KajiKita

I have had a look at our council's website and I can't find any sign of their decision on what the council tax will go up by. How long do they have before they are obliged to announce the change?

KK

KajiKita

KajiKita said:

I have had a look at our council's website and I can't find any sign of their decision on what the council tax will go up by. How long do they have before they are obliged to announce the change?

KK

Gave up on the council website and did a straight forward G00gle and have found the number - 4.99% increase.

KK 

Cas

Glittering_M said:

By chance I came across the following article where someone asks how much space one would need to become self sufficient for a family of 4. I found it quite interesting reading some of the comments. It has also reminded me I want to learn more about how to preserve the fruit and veg I grow. 

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/mar/12/how-big-a-garden-would-you-need-to-be-self-sufficient-for-a-family-of-four#comments

Thanks @Glittering_M, that's a really useful link with some interesting comments. I class myself as a beginner and I liked the tip about keeping a diary for reference so you know can look back and see what worked and what didn't.   

Glittering_M

Yes Cas I thought so too (sorry can't seem to tag you?)
 
I also like the idea of thinking about what is harder to get from the supermarket (or more expensive) that you get and consider trying that. Last year I grew Fenugreek quite happily from seeds from the Supermarket.i did plant some this year in a pot and they started to grow but I think I watered them too much as they sort of all died away. I wanted to grow lemongrass and ginger but I didn't have any luck with them. 

I've just remembered I've got access to Pre55Reader through my library so I've just read Gardeners World which was nice. I do have the L1bby app but it is more of a pain. Will definitely have to remember I have access. 

Lovely day here. Washing is out on the line and I love feeling the sun through the windows. 

Cas

@Glittering_M I think there are 2 Cas - Me (Cas) and cas (who came along later) - which has confused the system so I might look into changing my name. 

I like the idea of growing the rarer/more expensive supermarket foods too.  I have blackcurrants and rhubarb (why is in season rhubarb so expensive?!) in big pots which will go back into the ground once I've got the new veg beds built.  Wild garlic is coming along nicely in its big pot. Chives are already at the snipping stage and I'm hoping my curly leaf parsley will soon follow suit.  Still too cold for my and lemon balm. Have checked my strawberry plants and it looks like I didn't lose as many of the baby ones over the winter as I thought.  Hazel bushes and ribes have been coppiced (and have still to be top dressed and fed) so hopefully they come back stronger and more productive.

Not yet started any potatoes and I'm going to try jerusalem artichokes this year.  I also fancy trying beans and peas and will give salad leaves and spinach and perhaps radishes and garlic a try. Tomatoes will be courtesy of my Dad who is starting off his seeds indoors any day now.    

Got another small rhubarb crown plus garlic chives, lemon thyme and 2 types of fennel from our local nursey so will get those into bigger pots once the weather gets a bit better as we have snow today! 

DH wants to plant some fruit trees.  We can get these from our local nursery and they have apple, plum, pear, cherry and peach but I need to look into it more as I'm not sure what will grow best in our Scottish central belt clay soil especially as they're not cheap to buy.

Glittering_M

I didn't have an option of tagging either of you! Very odd. 

I have some cannelini beans to grow this year so I'll see how they go. I've never grown beans before after the obligatory runner bean at primary school. 

I've got a problem as I've discovered a few roots in what I want as my vegetable bed. It was a veg bed previously but then left to grass over. The trees were there when it was a veg bed so I'm not really sure what is going on. They aren't very deep and I don't want to kill the trees that it may be coming from, but equally I'm not sure if they are from a hedge that is long gone (guessing not though)

Cherryfudge

Glittering_M said:

I've got a problem as I've discovered a few roots in what I want as my vegetable bed. It was a veg bed previously but then left to grass over. The trees were there when it was a veg bed so I'm not really sure what is going on. They aren't very deep and I don't want to kill the trees that it may be coming from, but equally I'm not sure if they are from a hedge that is long gone (guessing not though)

De-lurking with a suggestion: if the roots are live, they will be from the tree because if the hedge is long gone, the roots will be rotting. So live ones won't have decay but may have root hairs (these would be the first to rot if dead). If you cut onto them, live ones would have sap and smell fresh, but dead ones would be more likely to feel a bit soggy. I'm guessing these are big enough to be in the way? Perhaps plant the area with things you don't need to dig up. So peas not carrots, etc. Good luck with it!

RateTartExtraordinaire

cw18 said:

Just been onto the website for my council to see if they've posted the figures for this years CT yet - and they have.

Mine is up by 5.19%  !!!   So I have to find an extra £5.65/month for that.
I'd budgetted the 5% limit without a referendum, but I've heard nothing about an application to life it by more than that

My council tax just came in the post this morning. The increase is just under 5% at 4.9%. 
I wonder if you can challenge your council...There is probably some loop hole of other, but worth a try. 

Beshki

Glittering_M said:

I didn't have an option of tagging either of you! Very odd. 

I have some cannelini beans to grow this year so I'll see how they go. I've never grown beans before after the obligatory runner bean at primary school. 

I've got a problem as I've discovered a few roots in what I want as my vegetable bed. It was a veg bed previously but then left to grass over. The trees were there when it was a veg bed so I'm not really sure what is going on. They aren't very deep and I don't want to kill the trees that it may be coming from, but equally I'm not sure if they are from a hedge that is long gone (guessing not though)

Canellini beans are great, easy to grow and dry really well to store. 

Roots shouldn’t be that much of an issue in your veg beds, aside from if you were wanting to use for root veg. The roots of the other stuff will just grow around them