The_DADDY Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Soon food will become even more expensive so recently ive been thinking of ways to help both my family and friends and wondered what others are doing to prepare. We have decided to start growing fruit and veg. We bought a greenhouse and had the garden dug over and planted plenty of seeds and cuttings etc. Obviously we dont have anything from this yet but we are hopeful that our first crop will be a success and if not we can learn from our mistakes and try again next year. As an aside, at first it was a lot of hard work, a lot of noise and a lot of disruption but now its a lot of pleasure watching things grow and tending to them. We did have a big problem with rats (due to living 0 feet from a huge woods and 100 yards from a Macky Dees makes rats a real problem) and usually id dispatch them with an air rifle but having a green house on the garden now makes this impossible so i invested in an electric fence and so far its worked a treat. Its not pleasant hearing the occasional rat get shocked but its a necessary evil in my view. Ive also been mulling over the idea of speaking to my friends and neighbors about setting up a local cooperative where we all grow specific things then share them between ourselves and giving any excess produce to people who need it. Does anyone think this could work? Anyway, what are you doing? Id love to hear if others are preparing. And if anyone has any gardening tips id be grateful of any input you could give 🙏 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sibon Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 23 minutes ago, The_DADDY said: Soon food will become even more expensive so recently ive been thinking of ways to help both my family and friends and wondered what others are doing to prepare. We have decided to start growing fruit and veg. We bought a greenhouse and had the garden dug over and planted plenty of seeds and cuttings etc. Obviously we dont have anything from this yet but we are hopeful that our first crop will be a success and if not we can learn from our mistakes and try again next year. As an aside, at first it was a lot of hard work, a lot of noise and a lot of disruption but now its a lot of pleasure watching things grow and tending to them. We did have a big problem with rats (due to living 0 feet from a huge woods and 100 yards from a Macky Dees makes rats a real problem) and usually id dispatch them with an air rifle but having a green house on the garden now makes this impossible so i invested in an electric fence and so far its worked a treat. Its not pleasant hearing the occasional rat get shocked but its a necessary evil in my view. Ive also been mulling over the idea of speaking to my friends and neighbors about setting up a local cooperative where we all grow specific things then share them between ourselves and giving any excess produce to people who need it. Does anyone think this could work? Anyway, what are you doing? Id love to hear if others are preparing. And if anyone has any gardening tips id be grateful of any input you could give 🙏 What are you growing? How close are you to getting some food from your endeavours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_DADDY Posted June 24, 2022 Author Share Posted June 24, 2022 (edited) 8 minutes ago, sibon said: What are you growing? How close are you to getting some food from your endeavours? I'm growing corn, tomatoes, courgettes, herbs, potatoes, radishes, pumpkin, butternut squash, onions, peppers, chillies and carrots. I think that's everything. I've got a lot of seeds for next year and a few years after that too. I'm still some way from getting anything edible from our efforts but as this is the 1st time we've done this I hope for much but won't be surprised if we get not so much but practice makes perfect. Well nail it eventually 👍 Edited June 24, 2022 by The_DADDY Remembered more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest makapaka Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 1 minute ago, The_DADDY said: I'm growing tomatoes, courgettes, herbs, potatoes, radishes, pumpkin, butternut squash, onions, peppers, chillies and carrots. I think that's everything. I've got a lot of seeds for next year and a few years after that too. I'm still some way from getting anything edible from our efforts but as this is the 1st time we've done this I hope for much but won't be surprised if we get not so much but practice makes perfect. Well nail it eventually 👍 Stick with it. You can get cheap pots from home bargains / b&m etc. grow stuff in them - easier to protect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echo beach Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 (edited) Living in the sticks, with no mains gas and heating oil doubling in price and likely to go higher, I'm building a lean to south facing conservatory which will cover both the living room and main bedroom windows. The solar gain through the glass will hopefully help to warm the house so we won't need as much fuel. I'm also installing a wood burning stove, for cosy nights in! echo. Edited June 24, 2022 by echo beach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_DADDY Posted June 24, 2022 Author Share Posted June 24, 2022 Just now, makapaka said: Stick with it. You can get cheap pots from home bargains / b&m etc. grow stuff in them - easier to protect. Definitely going to stick with it and b & m and home bargains is exactly where I get my pots from. Excellent call 🤣 I'll tell you what though, even if we don't get much this year it's been a fantastic experience and roll on next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest makapaka Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 26 minutes ago, The_DADDY said: Definitely going to stick with it and b & m and home bargains is exactly where I get my pots from. Excellent call 🤣 I'll tell you what though, even if we don't get much this year it's been a fantastic experience and roll on next year. I love it - cheap little greenhouse to get seeds going - get em in pots and off you go. Get some fish blood and bone and some chicken muck and feed em that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hackey lad Posted June 25, 2022 Share Posted June 25, 2022 I generally grow flowers from seed as I never had much luck with vegetables. Got some nice tomatoes growing now from seed and am trying some for the first time in hanging baskets . Seem to be coming on ok . It’s nice seeing things progress slowly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thirsty Relic Posted June 25, 2022 Share Posted June 25, 2022 All the best to all of you trying to grow your own food. Been there, tried that, and am giving up due to repeat failures to get any significant produce. Full respect to The Daddy for his idea of giving excess output to those more needy, but most of my strawberries, carrots and so on have been enjoyed by needy slugs. Local birds (feathered variety) have also got in on the act, despite attempts at netting. Looking at prices of seed, compost, troughs, netting, and the hassle of regularly watering them, I'm giving in and it's back to the supermarket for me! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dromedary Posted June 25, 2022 Share Posted June 25, 2022 At the moment I am growing all these just in pots but been doing it also for several years so some are already established. Out the back: 5 different varieties of tomatoes: gardeners delight, purple plum, yellow pear, golden sunrise and also 4 different varieties of cherry ones in hanging baskets. Some mixed salad leaves with rocket. (cut and grow type) Radishes. Red onions, spring onions. Loads of strawberries with some just started to ripen well. The Rhubarb is doing very well. Blackcurrant, redcurrant, raspberry, gooseberry, blackberry. And two types of mint which is growing like mad. Out front it's mainly herbs but also lavender and marigolds. Oregano, chives, rosemary, thyme, coriander, bay laurel. Chillies, jalapenos, habanero, cayenne. All doing well and the neighbours come and pick herbs when they want. Just needs a bit of time and tlc. 2 hours ago, makapaka said: I love it - cheap little greenhouse to get seeds going - get em in pots and off you go. Get some fish blood and bone and some chicken muck and feed em that Exactly what I have done. Bought a small greenhouse in Feb cost £25. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now