My Off-grid and need to be frugal diary

AnimalTribe

Rachmac3 & DawnW thanks for that - Melcourt Sylvagrow it will be from now on.

Rachmac3 it sounds like we both have bad weather to contend with, at least I don't have a stream of rain running through the garden. There is a corner of the garden that gets very water logged for three quarters of the year. When I had ducks they used to love it. That reminds me I saw a pair of geese at the edge of the heather the other day, I think they might be starting to nest there, as there is a stream nearby.

Foxgloves I'm glad you mentioned comfrey. I've a load growing in part of the garden. I usually dump it into a bucket and add water, but I think it was you who said you just tear it up and put it on top of the soil - so I think I'll put some at the base of some plants and just water it as and when.

I didn't plant the patio fruit trees today, but I'll do that tomorrow.

The best news is that DH finally traced the air lock and we now have cold water in the kitchen again.

foxgloves

@AnimalTribe - I used to make liquid comfrey plant food but after watering the bottom of my jeans with it by accident.....oh that smell.....it's like nothing else on earth! 
F

teapot2

I think the worst peat free compost I tried a few years ago was one of the John Innes ones, I can't remember which no.  Levingtons wasn't too bad and last year I tried Mir@cle Gro which was also quite good.  I don't have a car and need to have things like compost delivered, so am a bit limited as to what the local place has in stock. 

I've not heard of Melcourt Sylv@grow but I'll look into it, thanks @Rachmac3 and @Dawn W.  

AnimalTribe

Foxgloves - yes comfrey smells awful, but it is so good for the garden. Steeped rhubarb leaves also smell awful, but the liquid is good against greenfly.
Teapot2 - I might get a bag of Miracle Grow and a bag of Melcourt and see how they compare.

It's been sunny here, so I've been out in the garden all day. The dog helped out mainly by keeping me amused by running up and down the garden like a mad thing.

AnimalTribe

Today I’ve been out in the garden again, and I’m now very tired, but happy. I managed to get a fair bit done. I’m just going to relax for the rest of the day. DH has mown the lawn and fixed a door handle. DH also went to a car boot sale this morning. His motto is “you can’t have enough 4-way sockets” so of course he came back with about 5 of them (but they were cheap). He also, managed to buy some post holders as one of the things on his to do list is to replace a garden gate and the rotten posts, so at least that was useful.

I usually see a lot of rabbits around the place, but lately there seems to be a large number of hares. The hares are usually somewhat of a rarity so I don’t know what’s different this year.

I seem to have acquired a pair of partridges. They always come into the garden at this time of day. They don’t seem to do any damage, so it is a pleasure to see them.

Of course, we are now surrounded by lambs which is also great. There is a very large tree just outside the garden fence, that has high, raised roots – the lambs like to play ‘king of the castle’ and vie for top position.

AnimalTribe

It’s been cold here with rainy spells, so no gardening for me. That’s not a bad thing as I’m still a little sore from yesterday. Instead, I’ve started to sort out my houseplants. This wouldn’t be a big task for most people, but I have two green walls of plants. Basically 10 shelves stacked front to back with houseplants. This is because I like how they look. Also, I took loads of cuttings etc and was going to take some to a car boot sale, but I haven’t got around to that yet. I will still be sorting the plants out tomorrow.

I don’t know if I mentioned that DH made me some great plant labels. His reward – I asked him to make me some more. I do keep him stocked up with cakes and biscuits though.

DH has been busy with projects all day. I don’t know what the projects are exactly, but they are usually very useful.

I have an old greenhouse that was storm damaged that I haven’t gotten around to taking down yet. It was going to be one of my tasks this summer, but I’ve now discovered that pied wagtails are beginning to nest in there, so the job will have to wait until autumn. It wasn’t a job I was looking forward to so it isn’t any loss that I have to wait.

I’ve been spending money this week on a new food processor, as mine is on its last legs. I’ve also bought some flexi builders tubs as they are great with holes drilled in as garden containers.

rachmac3

Wow, all those house plants sound amazing!

AnimalTribe

rachmac3 thanks. They do look good, but I only water them sparingly over winter so they take very little work. However, now that spring is here it's time for full on maintenance - cutting away dead leaves, repotting and dividing them. The cacti especially have so many plantlets. I've been busy with the houseplants again today and I will still be busy with them tomorrow. Tonight, though I've just been relaxing reading a book.

Something that DH ordered from eBay has arrived but it wasn't as described and was missing a part but he got in touch with the seller who has provided a returns label. It's good that he will get a refund but he's disappointed as it was something he was looking forward to receiving. I'm sure he'll be able to source another one though.

AnimalTribe

Well, the houseplants are all sorted, but it was a big job. I used to start at the beginning of April and do a few at a time but I seem to have had so much else to do this year. I've finished my book so I'll be searching my shelves for the next one to read. I always have at least one book on the go as, IMHO, reading is one of the greatest pleasures in life.

DH and I are off to meet my siblings and their partners tomorrow for lunch. It will be a150 mile round trip, but the company is good, and I'll pop into the shops on the way back as I need milk and bread. DH posted 3 eBay sales today - he made the trip worthwhile by taking the dog for a drive and a walk through some woods. The dog's been out a few times today and had a lovely time running around the garden. She's tired herself out, which is rare, and is now fast asleep at my feet. 

Dinner was easy DH had leftovers from yesterday and I had the end of a dry baguette, cut in half, spread with tomato paste, topped with cheese, tomato slices and herbs. I try not to waste anything, and it was tasty.

rachmac3

My heart temporarily sank at the thought of you eating the end of a dry baguette! I'm glad I finished reading the sentence