More good sense from Down To Earth

maypole

I think that when you read the blog, you don't have to abide by every word, it is just a general common sense guide. I think we do lose track sometimes, always wanting bigger and better.

kunekune

oops, hope I didn't give the wrong impression. I love the blog. I absolutely agree about her ideas about how we should live (well, except that I love my job and have no intention of becoming a housewife, though I wouldn't mind if DH 'retired'). It's how I try to live too. I was just ruminating (while not 100% sober) about gardens!!!!

moanymoany

rosieben wrote: »

Its sad if people discount the blog because of the size of a garden, there's so much more to it than that. Rhonda says in several posts that she isn't telling anyone how to live, she's only telling how they live.

I'd have no interest in 'growing' my own fish, or in a wormery (I cant imagine anything more gross to be honest), but I've found so much else of use there, ideas that I've been able to adapt to suit my own situation. What impresses me most is her attitude - to their life style, to housework, to what she does for her family.

She challenges us to examine our own lives and make whatever small changes we can towards the life we want to live.

As with anything else in this life - use what you can, let the rest go by

I'd have to 'pass' on the goat if you don't mind Haribo (too many horror stories from a female colleague who was the owner of a particularly amorous billy :eek: ) but its a def yes to a jam teacake lilmisskitkat!

Mmmm I have referred to dh as an 'old goat' at times.....

However, lady goats are very sweet.

Gosh kunekune, I was putting in an edit to say that I'm not being OS at the moment and that we all get to OS in our own way and it vanished! The day before and on the day of viewings (selling at the mo) I get my pinny on with packs of wipes in the pockets, commercial variety, as it gets the house sparkling very quickly and the stress is high at such times !

When one works and has children, it isn't always possible to do everything - been there. I'm now retired and have lots of time. I'm really sorry if I came over as if you should do this that or the other - I didn't mean it.

ceridwen

Moanie

I dont think I'm going to even go there as to asking why OH gets referred to as an "old goat" LOL!

I'd rather not "live too dangerously".....

moanymoany

Ah ceridwen, that would be telling....;)

Has anyone used Rhonda Jeans recipes for laundry products? I use Tesco's value powder and value liquid for low temperature washes. I'm saving up ideas of what to do when we move - fingers crossed.

Also, her growing things in water sounds interesting, anyone ever tried that. That prog about the claims made for products looked at organic V non-organic food and the non-organic tomatoes were grown in watery stuff.

Lots of interesting ideas.

Angelina-M

moanymoany wrote: »

Ah ceridwen, that would be telling....;)

Has anyone used Rhonda Jeans recipes for laundry products? I use Tesco's value powder and value liquid for low temperature washes. I'm saving up ideas of what to do when we move - fingers crossed.

Also, her growing things in water sounds interesting, anyone ever tried that. That prog about the claims made for products looked at organic V non-organic food and the non-organic tomatoes were grown in watery stuff.

Lots of interesting ideas.

When you say 'grown in water' do you mean hydroponics? I grow most of my plants hydroponically and have done for years. I use perlite usually as a support medium and then feed my plants a specially measured amount of growing liquid suspended in water. I find my plants do really well doing this.

I know that most of the lettuce you buy in the shops today is hydroponically grown as its so much easier to control its living conditions this way.

I've been growing lettuce all winter in my hydro garden. It has lights for the plants to grow under. Not many people in England can say they've picked fresh lettuce on Christmas day!

moanymoany

Angelina-M wrote: »

When you say 'grown in water' do you mean hydroponics? I grow most of my plants hydroponically and have done for years. I use perlite usually as a support medium and then feed my plants a specially measured amount of growing liquid suspended in water. I find my plants do really well doing this.

I know that most of the lettuce you buy in the shops today is hydroponically grown as its so much easier to control its living conditions this way.

I've been growing lettuce all winter in my hydro garden. It has lights for the plants to grow under. Not many people in England can say they've picked fresh lettuce on Christmas day!

Is it complicated Angelina? Does it take much space?

Angelina-M

moanymoany wrote: »

Is it complicated Angelina? Does it take much space?

Oh lol don't get me started on hydroponics, I could go on all day! :rotfl:

It takes up less space than normal gardening as there is no soil involved. Its easily done in a bucket. I grow my tomatoes and cucumbers in connected buckets where the water flows through them and returns into a main bucket. (like a circular system) and then all I have to do is top up the main bucket and it just recirculates it around the plants.

Less chance of the plants going dry and you dont need to go out and water everyday, just fill up the main bucket. Its great if I'm going away for a few days in the summer as I can leave my tomatoes knowing that they dont need someone to attend my greenhouse.

There is a bit of science involved because you have to add the correct amount of nutrient solution however the packets usually tell you the correct measured amounts to use.

I grow carrots in an old toy box. I simply pour over my water/nutrient solution and then let it drain away from a tap at the bottom that hubby fitted. I grew the carrot box on a table too high for carrot flies so didnt have to worry about pests. Also its a good way of gardening for people who are disabled or have problems digging.

I love hydroponic gardening but it gets a bad press as its the growing method of choice for people who grow drugs. Its easy to set up a hydro garden in a bedroom closet and grow cannabis. That said though it shows how easy it is to grow this way!

dobs

I have three young uns aged 5, 3 and 1 month and have been able to have an allotment for two years now. I share it with my mum so that not only arethe costs halved but if one of us hasn't the time occasionally then the other has. Its still not easy i admit but i have put their deckchairs and sand pit down there and mum bought them cheap kiddy gardening tools to use and of course they love watering it all (though idon't love the mess on their clothes!). Also i have a tiny back garden and usehanging baskets for tomatoes plus onegrobag and three tubs for things so i still have patio free but pack in as much as i can in those few tubs.

Thanks so much for posting this i had never heard of her before and will now spend the next hour reading her blogs!

moanymoany

Angelina-M wrote: »

Oh lol don't get me started on hydroponics, I could go on all day! :rotfl:

I love hydroponic gardening but it gets a bad press as its the growing method of choice for people who grow drugs. Its easy to set up a hydro garden in a bedroom closet and grow cannabis. That said though it shows how easy it is to grow this way!

Absolutely, I think this is something I will put on my - ever increasing - list of things to do in the new house. lol

You reminded me of something - years and years ago I was at my beloved Aunty Margarets. I was looking at a plant she had, 'What sort of plant is this Aunty Margaret?' I asked. Turns out it was given to her by a friend. Yes - it was!