"Renew" show garden, Gardening Scotland 2008

Like it! I have a problem with my garden in that I have to grow everything in pots and containers, as there is a layer of roadstone just below the surface. I have thought of raised beds, but not feeling energetic enough for that!

I am experimenting with beetroot in plugs and, fingers crossed, they are shooting up! Much to my amazement!

Hi Muddy (Ken). I have raised beds and many things in pots, too. For the past 3 years, I have sown beetroot seeds in small peat pots in the greenhouse in April and, yes it does, like cabbage, broccoli, beans and many more, get off to a great start this way. Am always looking for ways to make the veggy garden look more interesting, and I really liked this garden.

Fantastic concept!

Isn't it, Mad? I keep coming back to look at this myself. :-)

I'm all for recycling!

Me too!

There's something else I'll try to fit in! I feel a winge to my dad coming on! I wonder if he'll take me hunting? It was him who got me into recycling!!

Sounds like he'd be the ideal "sherpa", and knows where to look. :-)

Yep! He used to embarrass the heck out of me driving anywhere. He'd just stop the car & take stuff out of people's rubbish theyd put out & say, here you are, that's a nice table, or whatever, & I'd cringe. Doesn't bother me now tho!

Don't think it bothers anyone nowadays. I do same, myself. And, I get phone calls, e-mails and stuff kept for me in the hospital I work in, coz they all think that David will have a use for this thing or the next. Someone the other day thought that I cvould grow sweet peas or runner beans up old drip-stands!!!!?????!!!!************* Great thinking, though, and I really appreciated the thought and creativity. :-)

I got my gorgeous leather couch from someone who was binning it because the bottom of it got wet!
Drip holders? Let me see.................... I know!
Bird feeders! Or use them to support trellis! Lateral thinking!
I get that too, & the wierd thing is, I usually DO find a use for wierd & wonderful things! :~))

If I'd still had my large garage (which had everything from operating tables to seeds stored in it), I'd have taken them. But I no longer have that storage space, or would have taken then anyway, - Gr8 idea about bird-feeder posts, though. :-) Could have also used them in a line, to support horizontal canes for runner beans, sweet peas, etc., to climb up.

PS. the op tables and operating theatre equipment all went to Romania, btw. I did not have my own torture chamber!

:-)

I'm glad to hear that! (on many levels, lol)
I spent a few weeks packing boxes for Kosovo, & it was a nightmare getting necessary basic medical supplies. And the pharmacies burn everything, opened or not! Crazy system!

I am an Olympic lateral thinker, it is my chosen sport!!

Hope you have a few gold medals to show for it!

It was/is still, a nightmare.

We used to sit in our livingroom making up specialist surgical trays for hip replacements, etc., with all the correct instrumentation and instructions, take them to work next day for sterilisation and packing. It wasn't hard work, but I did feel a bit obliged, having learned that NHS Fife had graciously donated a no-longer-needed modular (kit-style) operating theatre, but nothing to fill it with!!!???).

I loved when the lorry arrived at the door, and my garage was emptied.I knew that the stuff was on its way. I also loved the communications and feeedback from Romania.

This is all in the past tense, as it was quite a few years ago now, and doesn't happen anymore. :-(

It's sad that we have all this stuff lying around, & the politicians don't seem to see what's needed!

I know, wish we could do an international swap website. We even have one within our hospital, so why not make it global? Hey, you just gave me an idea! :-)

Go for it! Can't think why it wouldn't work! What hosp do you work in?

Sent you a pm

I am soooooo happy to read your comments about recycling. Have either of you heard about Freecycle? It's a free site that lets people offer or request 'stuff'. Anything thats legal, moral and free can be 'gifted' to other members. The idea is to keep as much out of land fill as possible. I regularly ask for old pc.s and then use them to upgrade/repair others to offer back on freecycle again. I think the best thing I've given away so far is one of Carols old wheelchairs, we even took it to this lovely old lady who was so greatful she still Emails us every Friday or Saturday just to let us know how she's getting on.
Sorry for writing a blog on your comments but I got carried away. :~)) (blush)

That's great, Digger! Maybe you SHOULD write one!
I don't know how well it works up here now, but I'll definitely have another look!
That's so sweet that the old lady keeps in touch with you!

Mookins wrote a blog about it not so long ago. You have a yahoo id so there would be no probs for you to join. just google Frecycle and find your nearest group. Good luck :~))
I would add if there isn't one near you then you could start your own but I think you've got enough on your plate with uni coming up?

Yep, maybe! Given up on sleeping! Too restless!
I'll check it out! I'll have a look at Mookins' blog too! Thanks!

There are (or were) 2 groups here in Fife, but I found trying to sign up online impossible (probably because of the yahoo ID thing). :-(

I managed to sign up for Perth!

You do need a yahoo id, David, but it was so simple to get and I've never had any emails (junk) or anything like that. It's just like opening an Email account with them. It is worth being a member and keeps loads of 'stuff' out of landfills. :~))
I'm a member of 5 groups around me! ! !

On the rare occasion I have to take anything to the tip, I always come back having rescued something! This time it was compost & a jelly pan, but I wasn't allowed to treasure hunt! :~((

I hate going to the tip as it always depresses me to see usable things being thrown out. Our tips are run by a private firm who won't let you treasure hunt any more. just the other week when I was taking some turfs etc. to the composter bin I saw a huge pile of hardwood posts and boards just sitting in the container waiting to be tipped and I asked if I could take some (to make raised beds) and I was quoted £5 each for the posts and £2.50 each for the boards ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
The guy seemed disgusted with me for refusing and said I had wasted his time. So I sent him back to his cuppa so he could watch his TV. :~(((

Unreal! Will catch up later, got appt at 10.30 so need to makle tracks!
Our lot are ok, it's still run by the council!