All it Took

....... was three trips to clear the front garden.  We managed to get up earlier whilst it was still cool and then started to load the car.  I had managed to sort out like with like pretty well when I was assembling the rubbish piles and took the same principle i.e. like for like on the loads.  The first lot that went was all recyclable items, cardboard boxes that sort of thing and the car was full.  The second lot was all sorts of miscellaneous including non-recyclable and the Third load was all garden waste.  We have a clear front garden and I am going into the garden in a while to de-litter and de-leaf the gravel and later on wash the front windows.  That will happen when it is a bit cooler.  

Missy was left at home. I had managed to get her settled under the fan on her cool sheet with good air flow in the room.  When I came in half way through she was out for the count and still is.  Looks very comfortable and is fast asleep.

Well that is a job well done and something off the list.  There will however be a lot more to go next week.  I have the stone shed to clear out, plus anything else I manage to find in the garden and in the house.

In the meantime I am in the kitchen where I need to be today.  Have loads to do.

I had originally planned to be in the bathroom sorting that out a bit more. Maybe I will get there later on. I will then wash the little room out and the bathroom out.  Will also be sorting washing to be done and getting items out of the bathroom.  It is too warm for anything in the garden apart from hanging out laundry.   I hung out two loads earlier and am just about to check to see it is all nice and dry and bring it in if it is and get the next load out. 

I do need to go into the back bedroom though and probably will do a little bit later tonight after watering up when it is cooler.  I have a lot of things that need to go in here before I can get my new clothes into the wardrobes and drawers in the front bedroom.  It very much is swings and roundabouts between rooms until enough space is cleared and then the items can be repacked properly where I can find them.

Where the garden is concerned, fortunately I am managing to water up of an evening and give the plants a good soak; it is heavy going though with just a watering can.  Will have to do something about that in due course.

One thing I have learned this year is that I need a different set up for next year although what I have is working, but need a bit more space.  I intend to grow my own again as I really have enjoyed the peace and quiet where I am nurturing something for future days and hopefully food to feed us.  I need a third growing house though, and I am thinking bigger altogether at the moment.  I also need a couple of smaller shelf style mini growing houses as well primarily for potted on seeds and a couple of cold frames. I definitely need a couple of heated propagators as well.  Will see what pans out. Trying to put as much info-structure in place with what I have and adding pieces where I can.  I also need a wheelbarrow and a hosepipe with attachments.  First I need to get an outside tap organised.  I am also particularly interested in hydroponic growing in towers.  I also think that is the way to go for the future alongside everything else we use.  As long as it produces food that is all that matters; it is a another way achieving that which we want to achieve.  I first came across the tower way of growing on a You Tube Channel called the Alternative Gardening Channel  - link is here:

Alternative Gardening Channel

I will where I can probably buy in a few of these items out of season or when they are on offer expending a little money at a time rather than in one big hit.  Well that is the plan in any event.  For those of  you interested Temu do have these at various sizes and prices (although I understand you do have to buy the pump(s) separately).  I am tempted to give it a try, although I think a perfect set up would be a growing house for growing during the winter months as well.  Cannot beat homegrown fresh produce.  Have to have the right set up though.

This year has also reminded me of many things I used to do as I gradually get back into the swing of things, and a lot of those will be used next year. I have also come across new ideas which I also want to implement. I think that is why a garden diary is invaluable as you have a physical memory of what you actually planted and how you actually dealt with things.  It also records how you grow as a gardener in yourself, that is if you keep one.  One of the things I am going to do next year is get all my hanging basket plants on the go well in advance, only buying in specialist ones like trailing verbena.  Next year is going to be a growing season wherein I am going to bring on the seeds like I used to in the past, with only buying the plants where I need them.  Saying that however, buying in the plants from Rocket Gardens has been a Godsend and I can see that it is a good way to get plants going in-between everything else or giving you a head start whilst you get other seed on the go.  I think their prices are relatively reasonable, the plants are fantastic and the service and communication is impeccable.  I will certainly be using them again.

We are on for a late tea tonight as I have watering to do.  Steak onions and salad with mixed mushrooms.  I am having steak and onion sarnie.

Have a lovely evening.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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