h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

We already have water restrictions in place - we can't use hosepipes to water the garden. So that'll be a *lot* of trips up and down with the watering can then

We have so many things planted that we would be carrying the water can 24/7. Or have to get a lot bigger watering can.

I need to set up rain barrels near my gutter runoffs. I've been thinking about doing that for ages. Providing it ever actually rains again.

I was planning to attach a water butt to the absent greenhouse *sigh*

Is J going to put in the greenhouse for you next year, Kelli?

Lady C, perhaps SiL can come up with an idea for me for rain barrels. I'll add it to the list. *produces extremely long list and cheerfully adds rain barrels*

It is quite a long way down the list of things we need to spend money on - we were supposed to be getting one from a friend of mums for free who had inherited it in pieces and doesn't want it. We organised a van to go and get it but it turns out they had lost some vital bits

Bummer. What did you decide about shrubs for your front garden? Do blueberries grow well there? They make very attractive bushes and then you'd have the berries.

Hyp, your list can be as long as you want it, but be sure you prioritize The neighbors down the street have large black perforated pipes of some sort attached to all their guttering. They are strung out across the lawn. The idea is, I suppose, to utilize the run off for watering the grass. The only purpose I can see for them is to be horribly ugly!!!! These same neighbors have no shrubbery or flowers in their yard. I do not understand that way of thinking........
Spring is my favorite time of the year--in spite of my allergies.

Haven't decided yet - need to organise a wander around Wisley with Teuchter and she can tell me what to do I haven't started on the hard landscaping yet either as I haven't had an opportunity to hire a skip to take away all the yarrow-ridden topsoil and hardcore that is ther at the moment. Have bought the wood for the raised beds though Could start on it the weekend after this one if the weather forecast looks alright

*files blueberry away in brain to look at later*

Right must dash - got to try to beat the ban collie day traffic home

Wisley has an absolutely fab small fruit collection. You'll have a great day there.

I know I have too many things for SiL to do. We'll just have to do our best. He has such good ideas. I'm looking forward to picking his brain. A strong back and a brain. What a guy!

Despite the foul and cold weather here - our peach has lots of blossom
If we're lucky, we may get more than one fruit this year.

Kelli - just let me know when you want to go to Wisley - weekends are usually good for me - or some Fridays or Mondays.

*Keeps up the spirit in spite of cold and windy weather*

Anyway, it has been grandchild day. After the cars we played football, went around the garden and ended up sword fighting with the bamboo. The we cooked dinner. A. 3½ wants to do all and is safe with sharp knives and gasflames from the cooker. Created his own minced meat 'sandwich' - and ate it, too.

Why is it they will help at 3 1/2 and when they get older, they are no place near the kitchen?

Tell, me please. I have this 16 year old.

I should have said that Wisley has a large collection of small fruits.

It is very hot and windy. It shouldn't be this warm until mid June.

Warm, windy, and cloudy here, but no rain in the forecast yet. We had another bad fire day this week. There is a tremendous amount of grassland about 50 miles to the east of us. There have been numerous accidental fires there this spring. The ranchers usually do controlled burns out there so they can use the land for grazing, but due to the dryness, controlled burns are banned. Does that make any sense?????

Here the farmers are not allowed to burn what's left in the fields. Not because of draught - this is a humid country - but because of the pollution to the air, the water and the wasting of the soil. They have to keep their havested fields green to absorb the manure they spread. Otherwise our drinking water will be polluted.

It is not good for the soil to leave it bare - either it should be covered with dead plants (like in the woods) to protect it or green plants that both protect the soil from becoming barren and recycle the good stuff.

Sorry - I haven't the energy to look up the right words. Hopefully I make myself understood.

Cold, windy and very wet here.

Prairie Farming 101

Wind and water erosion is a problem here on bare fields. But a controlled burn lets the light reach the soil which causes renewed growth of grasses. It's sort of like trimming back the tops of the ornamental grasses to let the new growth appear. Controlled burns also remove combustible material and make it safer from wild fires during dry seasons. And it is puts nutrients into the soil.

Tartaronne, you made perfect sense and the conservation methods in your country sound very sensible. We have a compost bin in our back yard and make very good use of it. We also rake the leaves in the fall and mulch the garden spots with them. We try not to use chemicals on the garden. Most generally the chemicals damage the good bugs as well as the bad ones.

The area to which I am referring is native grassland that is used primarily for pasturing cattle. If it is not burned, the grasses do not replenish as well and have to compete with weeds and brush.

It is interesting the hear of the conservation practices in different parts of the world. I think we in the US take our natural resources for granted and do not practice conservation as well as we should.