Gardening

Mini cloches got made by cutting the bottoms off of some empty 5L water bottles. I've planted 3 courgette seeds into each pot and now awaiting some germination. They are old seeds so I'm not sure they will grow but time will tell.

Digging out old manure from the bins has been today's job so I could fill a repurposed water tank - it will be used as a small raised bed. As yet, I'm unsure what to plant in it as it's north west facing. Something leafy and green would be ideal so possibly the curly kale I was gifted. 

The newest strawberry bed was filled last autumn with last year's runners. Almost all survived and are now growing. I transplanted a few more from the old bed to fill some gaps and the whole bed is covered in mesh to protect it from cats digging. 

Neighbour came along today and collected some spare rhubarb tubers I'd put in a bucket for them. In exchange, I've been promised some runner beans to replace the ones I inadvertently lost to frost. Iweeded out another bed and will gradually top it up with composted manure so it's ready for the courgettes, then I just need to decide where to transplant the Brussels sprouts once they're big enough.

Another glorious evening here at Frugaldom after a warm and sunny day. As the light fades, I'm on lookout for the foxes, badgers and pine martens but should really be doing my sums. Now that we are into anew tax year,self assessment tax return needs doing and then the budget rejigged accordingly. 

Tis us one third of the manure factory and all that workforce need fed and watered daily. We've had so little rain over the past month that I'm now looking at investing in more solar just to run a pump from the river to the pony and goat shelters. Watering the plants is fine, as we have 2 huge cattle troughs filled with water by the orchard but keeping livestock going when off-grid without a borehole or well can be difficult during dry spells.

Roll on summer and the new growing season. At the minute, all we have are herbs, dandelions and nettles for foraging at Frugaldom, although we always have eggs. Olio app has served us well and often provides bananas, baked goods and potatoes so  we will never starve. All these savings means we can afford to buy some luxury items while grocery shopping so last shop I bought butter instead of margarine. Sheer decadence!

Planting Shop Bought Shallots

Keeping a good supply of compost is something I have failed at again and again but this year, I am refusing to buy any. The manure heap is well rotted and looks like compost at the bottom so that's what I am using.

Last year, we received several loads of free tree chippings from local tree surgeons, who also brought us a trailer load of very stony topsoil. The wood chips were used to form paths and the top soil got narrowed into a corner for later use. Now is later, it's time to put it to good use. I'm riddling out the stones and will keep them for filling in holes and for drainage purposes.

After clearing out another small, raised bed, it got a new layer of composted pony manure and then a layer of riddled top soil. What am I going to plant? My free from Olio, (Tesco) shallots that had sprouted in their bags.

Raised bed now filled and 24 shallots planted. I have spaced them one every 20cm to form 4 rows of 6. According to my research, 24 could produce as many as 120 new shallots, more than enough to keep us going if these are a success. All have been watered in as the rain that was forecast for today has failed to materialise so far. 

I have now filled 6 beds with the following:

Shallots

Red onions

Beetroot

Potatoes

Cabbages

Strawberries

Isn't it great how some decent weather in early spring can give you a real boost when it comes to getting things done outdoors and then you look indoors and see all the things that don't get done? Ach! What's a layer of dust between frugal friends? 

Most of the supermarkets are offering cheap vegetables just now so we are well stocked up with carrots, parsnips, potatoes and swedes. At just 8p each, it's crazy to overlook such bargains. Even as treats for the ponies and goats, they are an affordable luxury. For us, plenty of soup making will get done over the coming week to help keep the grocery budget in check.

Don't forget you can subscribe to Friends of Frugaldom to support our voluntary project, with funds contributing towards feeding & caring for the animals, creating new habitat, planting woodlands, improving the 'paddock paradise' pony track system and feeding the wildlife. Members are welcome anytime and can make the most of the bowtop gypsy wagon and cosy huts, subject to conditions.