I'm still trying to get back to normal after the weekend. I still have stock taking and unpacking to do and am catching up on correspondence. It's amazing how a few days seems to require major catch up operations. I took the dogs for a walk up to the forestry today, there seemed to be cuckoo's everywhere. I love to hear the cuckoo it always makes me feel that summer is really on the way. Shopping this afternoon unless we want to starve. No news re the baby yet Sian is getting pretty fed up waiting. I dare say he or she will arrive soon. I bought a really nice book for Jacob from Lucy at www.bargainbooks4kids.com all about the house in mummy's tummy. Check out her site she has some good buys.
I have found some really useful tips from the Soil Association about growing your own vegetables and I thought it might be useful to print them here. I am about to start planting and I expect some of you are too so it seemed timely.
1. Even
if you have no garden, you can still grow inside. Sunny windowsills are
ideal for growing peppers, baby tomatoes, chillies and herbs such as
chives, mint, basil, parsley, sage and thyme. Cut and use them often to
encourage bushy growth.
2. If
you don't even have a sunny windowsill, try sprouting. Beansprouts are
cheap, nutritious and very easy to grow even in a dark corner. All you
need is a jam jar, some muslin and some seeds and beans. Try alfafa,
cress or mustard. www.primalseeds.org/sprouting.htm
3. If
you have any outside space, even a corner of a shared back green, put a
pot in it! You can grow herbs and vegetables in almost anything as long
as you can make drainage holes in the bottom. Try reusing car tyres,
bins, wooden barrels, baths and sinks.
4. If
you have a garden, growing your own food doesn't have to be a huge
undertaking. Start with small steps e.g. consider using a sunny wall to
grow runner beans, of try interspersing vegetables amounst your flower
beds.
5. Growing
your own doesn't have to be expensive. Why not start by collecting
seeds from vegetables you already eat? Squash, tomato and pepper seeds
can all be collected and dried.
6. Get
an allotment. If you don't have time to cultivate a whole plot,
consider sharing with a group of friends. You may have to go on a
waiting list in some areas.
7.
Many gardens are left un-dug or under-used. If you're keen to grow, try
asking friends or neighbours with gardens whether you can make use of
them. You can always promise them a share of the harvest in return!
8.
Find out about city and community gardens in your area from the
Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens.
www.farmgarden.org.uk/scotland
9.
If you've been put off in the past by pests and bugs visit the organic
pest control website for advice on identifying and tackling them
without using chemicals. www.organicgardenpests.com
10. For
those who are novice gardeners or plot-holders, getting to know the
experienced gardeners around you is invaluable. They will know what
works in the local soil and climate and will often be only too pleased
to offer advice.
I hope that you find these tips as useful as I did! I am definitely going to check out the organic pest control site. Linda
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