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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 16, 2009 20:19:23 GMT 1
If anyone wants a copy of the GFG group's spring newsletter emailed to them, please let me know. Submissions from members have been very scarce of late, and there wasn't much gossip, either, let alone pictures... so I've borrowed a few bits from this forum and its members. Could be you are in it? (Well, Jack had a gumpy on him and challenged me to find a way to fill up just one A4 page! ) Membership has dwindled of late, so we really need to recruit more. It's free to join us and doesn't matter where you live. The newsletter contains a mix of the serious and the usual bizarre bit of tasty gossip about various members. ;D It also includes plant/seed swap offers, and can be sent by post or email upon request.
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Post by macabbie01 on Mar 17, 2009 0:36:32 GMT 1
Never heard of it. What is it all about and do the gardening tips include clay soil areas ?
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 17, 2009 3:59:15 GMT 1
- I'll send you the latest mini newsletter, Dorian, so that you can see for yourself. Once upon a time it was several pages long, so we need to kick-buts into gear for more submissions. As for gardening tips/clay soil. You can always ask questions in the next newsletter, but I suspect the majority of answers for that one would come from those with tons of horse manure to try and get rid of, and go along the lines of this one, copied from a past newsletter... ;D 'So you got clay, have you, butt? Way I sees it, you got a couple of options.
1. Take up pottery making and buy a kiln.
2. Take up sculpting and container gardening.
3. Practice the lasagna method of gardening using alternate layers of newspaper and kitchen waste.
4. Create raised borders liberally covered over-winter with a thick layer of farmyard/horse manure and then grow spuds in them for the first season's crop; add another liberal layer of manure over-winter, then grow runner or French beans. Add another liberal layer of manure over-winter, then grow pumpkins or marrows. (For FREE trailer loads of hoss-dung, contact Jill and Colin, and be prepared to bring and fill your own giant trailer.)You often have to sift between the lines and humour to glean the tips. The lastest version takes the mick out of Hanne's language expressions, as usual. It's mild this time, but can be a bit near the bone at times. Guess it's all in the mind of the reader, as Hanne knows exactly what she means, even when it doesn't come out that way.
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Post by Florrie on Mar 17, 2009 15:18:57 GMT 1
can you pm/email me the news letter
thanks
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Post by petdesigns on Mar 17, 2009 16:48:35 GMT 1
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 18, 2009 14:40:56 GMT 1
There's now a suppliment to the GFG's newsletter available, so if you are not on the list to receive it, and want to join in, do please say so!
This morning's post saw the arrival of a lovely box of day lily roots here, which I'll be planting down my allotment later, and when I go to see to the birds.
Also plan to pot one up and take that to Roni, who was released from hospital yesterday, but has been told that it could take weeks to fully recover.
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 18, 2009 14:47:49 GMT 1
Since the last newsletter suppliment was released earlier today, we have a request for spare dahlia tubers, if anyone has any, please? I am told by Compo that there are dahlias (and other things) available for sale at very good prices in branches of Wilkinsons, should anyone wish to buy them there. I have lots of small lemon mint roots to swap, or could offer some for a donation to the Pet Craft Project. (They may be small, but the really grow rapidly and self-seed/spread very easily. Potted, these usually sell well at fund-raising events for charities.)
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Post by petdesigns on Mar 18, 2009 19:25:51 GMT 1
Sorry, we never really have any 'flower' stuff (only edible ones like nasturtiums)
Would £3 as a donation for some of the lemon mint be ok or does that leave nothing after postage&packaging? Please let me know (by pm is ok if you prefer) - I'm happy to go higher! The stuff smells lovely, grows very quickly and is great as mint tea!
Once we've come to a donation agreement, I'll send the cheque for this and the collars together with the beans!
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Post by petdesigns on Mar 18, 2009 19:26:44 GMT 1
and most importantly: GET WELL SOON to Roni with a big (careful) get well soon hug!
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 18, 2009 20:10:27 GMT 1
Anything you like, Jutta. I've been digging out a stack of it tonight as it's spread a lot since last year when my plot's been allowed to get out of hand! I've put loads into a big bath where, I hope, it will stay contained a bit. It had even spread under the bay tree and right up to the trunk of that.
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Post by Florrie on Mar 19, 2009 14:17:36 GMT 1
I would mind some lemon mint also I may have lots of seeds ( you know thwe ones you get free with mags) will have a clear out at the weekend if someone would like them
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 19, 2009 14:30:02 GMT 1
I'll send you some lemon mint in exchange for some seeds. Speak nicely to Jutta and she may even share her recipe for lemon mint tea. ;D Just be aware that it does spread if not contained, Sue. I see mine has even sneaked under the fence into the neighbouring allotment now. (But that chap does like herbs.)
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Post by reclaimingrebus on Mar 19, 2009 20:56:10 GMT 1
could I have a copy of the newsletter please?
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 19, 2009 21:51:34 GMT 1
Of course you can, Elaine - just sent it.
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Post by petdesigns on Mar 20, 2009 10:04:05 GMT 1
Sue only needs to post a "springer eyes" pic and she'll get nearly anything... (I think the lemon mint tea recipe will be in the next supplement or newsletter anyway though ??)
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Post by madcarole on Mar 20, 2009 10:48:35 GMT 1
i would love the newsleter and the recipe. I have loads of lemon mint..growing in the garden.. I have clay too Dorian...I was to to dig in loads of gravel to improve the drainage. carole
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Post by Florrie on Mar 20, 2009 11:23:13 GMT 1
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 20, 2009 13:45:23 GMT 1
Newsletter's been sent, Carole, and feel free, EVERYONE, to pass that onto or forward to like-minded pals. I've also give a link to this thread to a few people who have plants to swap or perhaps offer in exchange for postage costs. We'll soon be at that time of year when there's a glut of things going spare, so it's been suggested we discuss the best ways of organising a local 'Plant Exchange' event. I've done these in the past by simply putting up some posters and arranging to erect a table in a local pub car park. A Sunday morning from about 10am - 12 noon is when I gather many are held, and if local residents have nothing to swap, perhaps have a donations tin for a favourite charity? It's better than composting the results of your labours. Contacting any local allotment societies or gardening groups in your area can help, as can posters or leaflets in the local library, adverts in post offices and newsagents, too. One could even knock a few doors of houses where the owners are clearly keen gardeners, and that can be a great way of making new friends and getting a little local group of enthusiastic 'plant swappers' going. As they say, 'It ain't rocker science.' ;D
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Post by springer6 on Mar 20, 2009 15:07:21 GMT 1
can I have a copy please,,,,as will be on the hunt again for plants,,,,and have lots of seeds,,,no time to plant them,,,would love some lemon mint,,,,, thanks
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Post by petdesigns on Mar 20, 2009 17:21:29 GMT 1
THANK YOU Sue put a teabag (English Breakfast Tea or even, if you prefer, peppermint tea) in a teapot, a handful or so of lemon mint leaves, pour boiling water in, let infuse for 5 minutes or more, pour through a sieve into mug, add sugar - voila! Last year we commented to an elderly neighbour how lovely his runner beans looked - and he immediately offered to give us some for this year! Another neighbour picked damsons for us where he keeps his pigeons because there is no damson tree anywhere in the area (obviously, he got some damson jam as a thank you later). Quite amazing considering we'd only lived there a couple of weeks then!
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