I certainly have a few packets of seeds that I've got from magazines, that I never like to just throw away. Would love to donate them to this cause if that is any help. Will keep my eyes peeled for when you are ready for them.
Artjak, in answer to your question I think the water is only slightly salty (the rivers are tidal) but I'll check. Certainly the water is foul - everyone involved in the volunteer efforts have been advised to stay absolutely waterproofed, always use gloves, wash thoroughly etc. It has swept through slurry pits and chemical stores; not to mention the fact that most animals didn't survive...
We'll have to see just how bad things are, but pots and planters may be the only solution for some, for a season or two at least. The gardenadvice service is going to offer their professional advice and help (they have been international advisors for flood recovery in disaster areas, so they know what they are talking about).
I've been trying to have a proper think about the flood gardens campaign a little more seriously. Having never been flooded I've no idea how long it takes to clear out but I have the feeling that many gardens will be covered in builders debris / water logged possessions for this summer at least - certainly looking at the mess we are making just decorating makes me feel for those who will need (at the very least) specialist clean up teams (if their insurance covers it), plasterers, electricians, plumbers, structural specialists... (and delays from insurance companies faffing about with paperwork).
That is of course if we have a gloriously warm summer so houses dry out quickly with dehumidifiers going 24-7. If we end up with a wet summer the ground water just isn't going to shift anywhere making working in the garden near impossible (considering how I get unmotivated when it drizzles I do not envy those that have all this thrown at them).
So perhaps it would be best for me (especially being in Yorkshire - around 220 miles away) to think about a more longer term as to what plants I can offer for the second attack once the "instant" fixes have been delivered and people have worked out what they want / need / what didn't survive (since one hopes this support network would be truly alive for the first five seasons for so at least while people work out what they need to plug the gaps throughout the year).
In short - the sturdy woody varieties that take an age to grow (rather than faster growing tomatoes / peppers / etc which would also not transport the distance very well seeing as how much the bananas we buy from the supermarket bruise on the way home in my big old truck!!)
I'm thinking about bringing some plants into the green house to get them growing now (though we have had it so mild the rosemary is already heading towards a hair cut) so that we can start taking cuttings we'd normally be doing in mid-summer. The likes of the rosemarys, the lavenders, sage, all of which I believe would happily live in large pots together for a year or so until people could decide whether to have them as garden or kitchen window displays as however suits their needs.
Can anyone think of any others that I might have in the garden or can buy from the garden centre to divide up and devote some space too?
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Excellent Artjak!
I certainly have a few packets of seeds that I've got from magazines, that I never like to just throw away. Would love to donate them to this cause if that is any help. Will keep my eyes peeled for when you are ready for them.
Thanks Peanuts - I think that gardenjeannie is acting a Chief Seed Collector! Watch this thread for her posts...
Bumping
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Lunchtime bump.
Artjak, in answer to your question I think the water is only slightly salty (the rivers are tidal) but I'll check. Certainly the water is foul - everyone involved in the volunteer efforts have been advised to stay absolutely waterproofed, always use gloves, wash thoroughly etc. It has swept through slurry pits and chemical stores; not to mention the fact that most animals didn't survive...
We'll have to see just how bad things are, but pots and planters may be the only solution for some, for a season or two at least. The gardenadvice service is going to offer their professional advice and help (they have been international advisors for flood recovery in disaster areas, so they know what they are talking about).
Rosie, that is brilliant
bumpity bump
Morning bump!
Almost cake - time bump
I've been trying to have a proper think about the flood gardens campaign a little more seriously. Having never been flooded I've no idea how long it takes to clear out but I have the feeling that many gardens will be covered in builders debris / water logged possessions for this summer at least - certainly looking at the mess we are making just decorating makes me feel for those who will need (at the very least) specialist clean up teams (if their insurance covers it), plasterers, electricians, plumbers, structural specialists... (and delays from insurance companies faffing about with paperwork).
That is of course if we have a gloriously warm summer so houses dry out quickly with dehumidifiers going 24-7. If we end up with a wet summer the ground water just isn't going to shift anywhere making working in the garden near impossible (considering how I get unmotivated when it drizzles I do not envy those that have all this thrown at them).
So perhaps it would be best for me (especially being in Yorkshire - around 220 miles away) to think about a more longer term as to what plants I can offer for the second attack once the "instant" fixes have been delivered and people have worked out what they want / need / what didn't survive (since one hopes this support network would be truly alive for the first five seasons for so at least while people work out what they need to plug the gaps throughout the year).
In short - the sturdy woody varieties that take an age to grow (rather than faster growing tomatoes / peppers / etc which would also not transport the distance very well seeing as how much the bananas we buy from the supermarket bruise on the way home in my big old truck!!)
I'm thinking about bringing some plants into the green house to get them growing now (though we have had it so mild the rosemary is already heading towards a hair cut) so that we can start taking cuttings we'd normally be doing in mid-summer. The likes of the rosemarys, the lavenders, sage, all of which I believe would happily live in large pots together for a year or so until people could decide whether to have them as garden or kitchen window displays as however suits their needs.
Can anyone think of any others that I might have in the garden or can buy from the garden centre to divide up and devote some space too?