Allotments 4 All
General => News => Topic started by: iain on December 18, 2005, 00:10:00
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Hi all, well I managed to get to the lottie for the first time
The first thing was plan where to start ::), I have covered a part of the plot with plastic, the soil seems really good, need to get so lime as it is acidic soil (sorry if i spelt it wrong)
I will keep you informed how I am doing, I will be taking it easy.
Iain
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Don't lime the bits where you want your spuds Ian. In fact, most veg like a slightly acid soil. I just lime my brassica beds....
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Yes Iain, this is where your health and happiness start, unfortunately I have never mastered the wealth aspect ... ;D
Derekthefox :D
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I have not actually kept a balance sheet, but ignoring my time, because it is a labour of love, my plot is definitely in the black. I have ignored the cost of the tools, as they are trivial in my mind. Over the past 5 years, I would estimate I have spent £500 max on my plot, including rent etc? We have only supplemented our vegetable intake, due to gaps in supply, and failed crops etc. I cannot imagine that as hobbies go, it is not one of the cheapest on the planet ...
Derekthefox :D
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On a strict balance sheet basis, if you garden organically I reckon you may just break even.
But I like to factor in some other savings: no gym membership, no psychotherapist and no (never again) divorce proceedings! Also there is the ecological saving: if you grow most of your own stuff you are helping the planet in a big way! :)
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Does it cost less to garden organically? The seeds cost about the same don't they. Then there's the saving on pesticides. You'd be buying manure either way
I was more thinking about the exorbitant price of organic produce in the shops. You can pay £2.20 for 2 organic chicons. Cost of mine growing in the greenhouse maybe 10 pence? The saving is much less on things like carrots, though. So I reckon it might just balance up...
Manure? Bleugh! Never use the stuff any more. Home made compost is cheaper, cleaner and just as effective.
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Ooo eck Wards, you gettin me worried!! As of last week, one butternut spuash in Tesco £1.99 .....reasons for me, similar to Max....fresh air, exercise, knowing that there are no nasties lurking in my veg, keep sane (that's going bit slow, I have to say.. ::)), kids love it in short bursts, and no divorce again either cos can just stuff OH's mouth with fresh veg when he gets bit lippy... ;D
Well done Iain!! Off to a flying start, hope you enjoy..
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Awww Don't Wards!! Seems to me like you need to practice a bit of denial.....just as your brain is scooting round the edge of a tricky subject.....flick it round really quick and point it in a different direction, like the "ooo I must go feed the birds..."or something....and don't look back!! Takes some practice, but is very handy!! Actually I don't think I want to know!! I'd have to tell OH and he'd just look really smug, my justification for pootling to the plot is how much money I'm saving us!!
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Thought for today: any calculation of 'real cost' which does not include a value for the supporting ecosystem, which enables the economic activity to take place at all, is invalid...
Lottying is NOT justifiable in conventional economic terms. But that's because economic convention, which regards the planet's resources as infinite, is a crock.
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Talking of gyms, my wife pays hundreds to belong to one, and only goes to the allotment when I've got a barbeque. Go figure, I can't.
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What System, Wards....Oooo must go feed the bats.. ;D ;) Am trying not to remember I have a system, or it may lead brain to wondering why I have a system.....
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I disagree with your costing comments on the carrots terracemax ...
I planted 3 packets of seed, total cost £2.50. No added nutrients or other materials. Total crop in excess of 100kg (estimated). Plus about 3 weeks of carrot thinnings, which a pure delight to us, as they are consumed with aioli at a phenomenal rate ...
Derekthefox :D
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Yeah, but you're good at this gardening lark...
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Gosh, if only that were true ...
Derekthefox :D
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Beautiful cake , Wards, and do hope your niece feels better soon...I made a cake once upon a time, it still lives on in family myth....it had 1" of marzipan all over, weighed about 10kg, 1" of icing all over and to top it off, I covered it in large yellow daisies, bout 2" thick....I was soooo pleased!! Have been since told that my cake baking skills are nolonger required... ;
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I am the opposite Wardy. I have an allergy to almonds and dont like icing anyway, so prefer my fruit cakes 'au naturelle' ... even removing the marzipan leaves the taste, which makes me shudder. I have two cakes at work maturing, to be consumed through January, all by me alone ...
Derekthefox :D
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Did feel dreadful though, cos a the time, I was sooo proud, but didn't eat any myself! I'm not completely daft! Watched the whole family eat it, with the most wonderful fixed smiles on their faces, but obviously desperate not to hurt my feelings.....though that soon changed when i offered the following year, to quote my bro......"I will destroy your oven if you even think about it...." :-X
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But Wards, I've made a special one just for you!!! Postie shold be staggering up the path in the morning..... And cos you're such a special matey, I've added extra icing.....pic would be nice.. ;D ;D ;D
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I know this will come as no suprise but I cannot stand Christmas Cake(http://bestsmileys.com/mooners/1.gif).
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:o :o :o Oh dear, you not going to be a happy sandman either then, though no need to show me your bottom.....a simple no thank you would have sufficed....... ::) ;)
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Ditto Redclanger, and I have been known to moon on occasion ...
Derekthefox :D
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Once only - after half a bottle of Southern Comfort...
What a sad act!
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Wardy, on the subject of gyms, you said:
"They pay to put themselves on a treadmill! Why don't they go for a run or a walk, or get a lotty"
This time of year, a lot of folks use the excuses "It's dark and I might get mugged" (particularly where I live!), "It's too cold, or "My hair will get ruined by the rain".
But I haven't had an excuse from the ladies who use my local gym yet.
:)
Jimbo
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I entered a gym once, never again, had to go for a stiff drink and a lie down.....and Max, am sooo shocked and disappointed in you....tut...tut....... :-X
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I know, I know ... :(
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You might get mugged or wet going to the gym too. They give me the creeps anyway; I suffered from a seriously nasty sadistic games master, and I'm not the only one who still reacts that way.
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I have never entertained the thought of joining a gym. Always been thin as a result of being a fidgety ADHD type (explains the way my head works if I haven't had enough coffee) and liking cycling, country walking and now dig gardening. In fact finally starting to develop some muscles in my arms which was the one thing I did not like about my phsysique. All three activities are far more productive and far more interesting as going to the gym nowadays seems to involve simultaneous telly watching - which probably says it all.
Other than that - I am cut ;D
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And yes you are cut, Ady, though am intrigued as to "Cut"... I went ** years ago, felt completely intimidated by all the perfectly groomed, heavily made up ladies there, and have found running after 4 kids, working and lottie keeps the weight down.....and running away from things helps too....
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Wardy!!! Mooning is good male fun, particularly after a bit of beer !!!
As for gyms, I don't think I have ever been in one except at school ... I honestly dont see the need ...
Derekthefox :D
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Namissa always puts the running machine to the fastest setting, then runs like mad till she's burnt up 1000 calories (inless she's increased it). Seems crazy to me.
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1000 calories? That is equivalent to a 10 mile run ...
Derekthefox :D
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I'm not kidding you, she's totally mad when she gets on those machines. I'd die of boredom long before I died of exhaustion, doubtless having hallucinations about Homo (the games master) on the way.
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Yes I cannot understand doing any endurance on a treadmill ... at least when running in the fresh air, I choose a rural route, which is peaceful and scenic ...
Derekthefox :D
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...and free. :)
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Yes, that is a main reason actually, although my primary reason for running at the moment is to become marathon fit ...
Derekthefox :D
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So which marathon you doing DtF?
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The Shakespeare, around Stratford upon Avon, 7th May 2006 (health willing )
Derekthefox :D
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I have to admire you DtF cos I wouldn't have the determination to train for such an event ...................................would never ever ever ever go inside a gym, the yoga and gardening keeps me fit and healthy! :)
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Hi all went down to the lottie for an hour yesterday so that I could plan where I want everything to go.
It's a half plot @ moment, but hopefully in April the plot next to mine (which looks like it has not had any work done to it for ages :o) will come up so I will then I will have a full plot.
The treasurer said she would give me a shout in April.
I have laid down some plastic sheeting.
I will check this out in a few days, meanwhile I am going to build a compost bin and look out for a waterbutt,
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My focus on this is very singular Delilah, to support my son (and use that scenario to raise money for charity). After that, I cannot see me running another one !
Derekthefox :D
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Think our membranes are psychically linked, Wards.....had to rescue mine from the loganberry patch....But I love lifting it up to have a tiny peek at all the lovely pig poo and not a weed in sight.....it's the little things.....keeps me humming for days....I'm in the process of trying to convince 4 doubting kids that it'd be great to spend Boxing day at the plot, not many takers so far.... ::)
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Mind you Wardy, I may be down on my plot on boxing day ... I still have loads to do, and if the weather is kind ... then I can always return to a plate of turkey beef and pickles, or bubble and squeak from the left over vegetables :)
Derekthefox :D
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I've forgotten how to loaf, Wards!! :'( Used to be an excellent loafer, could loaf about anywhere....now, I've lost the skill that took me so many years to perfect.....sigh....but if it's a really bright day, where else would I be!!!! ;D
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The mulled wine sounds perfectly delightful Wardy, but without the Amaretto for me please, being allergic to almonds and all its derivatives ...
Derekthefox :D
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Mind you Wardy, I may be down on my plot on boxing day ... I still have loads to do, and if the weather is kind ... then I can always return to a plate of turkey beef and pickles, or bubble and squeak from the left over vegetables :)
Derekthefox :D
The Imps -v- Boscum United at Sinny Bank on Boxing Day - had to turn down the in-laws ;D
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I have unfortunately been unable to get to the lottie, as it has been far to wet, I have read somewhere that I could do more harm then good, digging it over when wet, while waiting for the soil to dry abit will be reading up on what to plant
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About to here too...sniff.....I want to plant something, dig something....not fussy..... :(
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Looks like it may be hedgework for me this weekend then ...