<![CDATA[Garden And Gossip Forums - Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle....]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:26:32 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[2026 - Freecycle & similar FREE stuff]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2405 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 22:08:50 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2405
Hope you acquire lots of freebies this year.[Image: biggrin.png]]]>
Hope you acquire lots of freebies this year.[Image: biggrin.png]]]> <![CDATA[An Alphabet of Things to Clean. :D]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2388 Sat, 15 Nov 2025 21:17:29 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2388 I'm hoping that you can suggest items - that I may, or may not, have and I'll choose one each day and give it a once over!

Over to you, please. Big Grin]]> I'm hoping that you can suggest items - that I may, or may not, have and I'll choose one each day and give it a once over!

Over to you, please. Big Grin]]> <![CDATA[Tea bags & microplastics]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2381 Sun, 19 Oct 2025 10:38:08 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2381
https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/is-...__20251019

Naively, perhaps, I'd assumed that where the packet says the teabags are compostable, that was the end to the problem. I was wrong! The microplastics are leeching into our cuppas from the sealant used to form the teabag. .....and that's before they reach the compost bin.  Its a bit scary really. 

I'd heard that teabags were best avoided and have been using more looseleaf tea, but I thought it might be because of the additional manufacturing processes/resources  required to bag up the tealeaves.

From today, I'm going to stop using teabags. Since I have so many "free" ones, I'll empty the teabags into the pot so that the "teabag" doesn't come into contact with heat. Hope this will help me avoid the microplastics but still enable me to use the (bagless) tea. 

Ideally, I would be making herb tea using plants from the garden, but, being surrounded by FREE teabags, I've been tempted away from growing my Own Tea Garden. Maybe, next year's project?]]>
https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/is-...__20251019

Naively, perhaps, I'd assumed that where the packet says the teabags are compostable, that was the end to the problem. I was wrong! The microplastics are leeching into our cuppas from the sealant used to form the teabag. .....and that's before they reach the compost bin.  Its a bit scary really. 

I'd heard that teabags were best avoided and have been using more looseleaf tea, but I thought it might be because of the additional manufacturing processes/resources  required to bag up the tealeaves.

From today, I'm going to stop using teabags. Since I have so many "free" ones, I'll empty the teabags into the pot so that the "teabag" doesn't come into contact with heat. Hope this will help me avoid the microplastics but still enable me to use the (bagless) tea. 

Ideally, I would be making herb tea using plants from the garden, but, being surrounded by FREE teabags, I've been tempted away from growing my Own Tea Garden. Maybe, next year's project?]]> <![CDATA[2025 - Freecycle and similar Free stuff]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2289 Fri, 03 Jan 2025 18:34:56 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2289 Hope you acquire lots of freebies this year.Big Grin]]> Hope you acquire lots of freebies this year.Big Grin]]> <![CDATA[Uses for Spice and herb jars]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2200 Sun, 28 Jul 2024 21:00:21 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2200 What do you think of using them for sowing small seeds? 
I have difficulty sowing seeds thinly, certainly can't sow them in a row, its not in my nature.  Rolleyes Tomorrow I will experiment. 

I'm sure these jars have other uses too. Let me know if you think of any, please.]]> What do you think of using them for sowing small seeds? 
I have difficulty sowing seeds thinly, certainly can't sow them in a row, its not in my nature.  Rolleyes Tomorrow I will experiment. 

I'm sure these jars have other uses too. Let me know if you think of any, please.]]> <![CDATA[Washed up treasure]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2192 Mon, 15 Jul 2024 14:24:25 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2192

.jpeg   20240714_151408_Original.jpeg (Size: 477.9 KB / Downloads: 21) .

No idea what its originally purpose was. But I intend on using it as a walkway between tunnels. Not yet collected it. Because there’s a lot more of it , than is in the photo. And it’s a good mile back to the car.  

Unfortunately there’s lots of plastic ( mostly from the fishing industry) out there. Some people put it into piles. But I very much doubt it’ll ever be collected. 

So one day in the not to distant future we’ll walk back out there with some buoys. Tie the walkway and a couple of other bits we can find a use for, to the buoys. Chuck it all in the water at the nearest point. Then get our friends to give us a lift out there on his boat. For a recycling, reusing, rescue mission.]]>

.jpeg   20240714_151408_Original.jpeg (Size: 477.9 KB / Downloads: 21) .

No idea what its originally purpose was. But I intend on using it as a walkway between tunnels. Not yet collected it. Because there’s a lot more of it , than is in the photo. And it’s a good mile back to the car.  

Unfortunately there’s lots of plastic ( mostly from the fishing industry) out there. Some people put it into piles. But I very much doubt it’ll ever be collected. 

So one day in the not to distant future we’ll walk back out there with some buoys. Tie the walkway and a couple of other bits we can find a use for, to the buoys. Chuck it all in the water at the nearest point. Then get our friends to give us a lift out there on his boat. For a recycling, reusing, rescue mission.]]> <![CDATA[Raiding your kitchen cupboard for seeds.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2101 Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:06:48 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2101 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.p...3#pid58993
This reminded me of something I've talked about doing for years but, surprise, surprise, not done much about. 
In the interests of Growing Food for Free, it maybe time to  actually do it!

I'm going to challenge myself to see how many seeds, peas and beans that, have been bought  for eating, can actually be grown and turned into food.

Last year I grew some Hodmedod peas but didn't plant them out so didn't grow them to maturity. I've grown pea shoots from dried peas which is easy and cheap. I should be able to grow some of the beans. Possibly some herb seeds - fennel, dill, caraway, cumin, coriander. Sunflower seeds for shoots. Mung beans for bean sprouts. Chia seeds.

I'll start by testing some for viability on damp paper. 

Anyone going to join me - or can suggest other seeds to try?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.p...3#pid58993
This reminded me of something I've talked about doing for years but, surprise, surprise, not done much about. 
In the interests of Growing Food for Free, it maybe time to  actually do it!

I'm going to challenge myself to see how many seeds, peas and beans that, have been bought  for eating, can actually be grown and turned into food.

Last year I grew some Hodmedod peas but didn't plant them out so didn't grow them to maturity. I've grown pea shoots from dried peas which is easy and cheap. I should be able to grow some of the beans. Possibly some herb seeds - fennel, dill, caraway, cumin, coriander. Sunflower seeds for shoots. Mung beans for bean sprouts. Chia seeds.

I'll start by testing some for viability on damp paper. 

Anyone going to join me - or can suggest other seeds to try?]]> <![CDATA[2024 Grow Food/Garden for Free Challenge]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2094 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 21:19:18 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2094  https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2069
I've already said that I'm aiming not to buy any seeds this year and was mocked.  Tongue At the end of the year you'll see how strong my will power can be (or not). 

I'm sure most of us aim to be as frugal as possible in the garden so maybe we can share our tips and hints for economising in the garden. 
Apart from tools and structures, like GHs, most money is spent on seeds, plants, compost and feed.

Seeds we can save or swap. Seeds saving Guidance and Seed Swap events at https://gardenandgossip.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=57
Plants we can grow from cuttings or seed and grow, swap or sell. https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=478 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.p...t=cuttings
Compost we can make from all sorts of waste materials. https://gardenandgossip.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=75
Feed/fertiliser can also be made from a variety of ingredients. Apart from making comfrey tea and using the runoff from the Hotbin. I haven't explored this area much. I'll have a nosey around G&G for relevant threads. https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.p...omfrey+tea]]>  https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2069
I've already said that I'm aiming not to buy any seeds this year and was mocked.  Tongue At the end of the year you'll see how strong my will power can be (or not). 

I'm sure most of us aim to be as frugal as possible in the garden so maybe we can share our tips and hints for economising in the garden. 
Apart from tools and structures, like GHs, most money is spent on seeds, plants, compost and feed.

Seeds we can save or swap. Seeds saving Guidance and Seed Swap events at https://gardenandgossip.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=57
Plants we can grow from cuttings or seed and grow, swap or sell. https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=478 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.p...t=cuttings
Compost we can make from all sorts of waste materials. https://gardenandgossip.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=75
Feed/fertiliser can also be made from a variety of ingredients. Apart from making comfrey tea and using the runoff from the Hotbin. I haven't explored this area much. I'll have a nosey around G&G for relevant threads. https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.p...omfrey+tea]]> <![CDATA[Declutter 365]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2083 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 13:14:14 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2083
.pdf   52-week-organized-home-list-2024.pdf (Size: 131.62 KB / Downloads: 15)
I saw a FB Group that aims to have its readers declutter an area of their house every day for a year. Each declutter project takes 15 minutes (so they say).  There's a downloadable calendar with each day's project listed. For me, 15 minutes is very optimistic but I thought I'd use the list as an idea of where to start. There's also a weekly list which summarises the weeks - I hope I've posted a link to that if you want to join me!
This week its Kitchen counters and sink.]]>
.pdf   52-week-organized-home-list-2024.pdf (Size: 131.62 KB / Downloads: 15)
I saw a FB Group that aims to have its readers declutter an area of their house every day for a year. Each declutter project takes 15 minutes (so they say).  There's a downloadable calendar with each day's project listed. For me, 15 minutes is very optimistic but I thought I'd use the list as an idea of where to start. There's also a weekly list which summarises the weeks - I hope I've posted a link to that if you want to join me!
This week its Kitchen counters and sink.]]> <![CDATA[£5 Christmas Hamper]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2068 Wed, 20 Dec 2023 15:20:51 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2068 My question to you is - what do you think will be in my Christmas Hamper? This is all I know :-

Christmas Bonus Hamper for existing members only.  The contents will vary but we will be group-purchasing some extra nice bits and bobs for a Merrier Christmas.

I'm collecting it on Saturday so the answer will be revealed then. ]]> My question to you is - what do you think will be in my Christmas Hamper? This is all I know :-

Christmas Bonus Hamper for existing members only.  The contents will vary but we will be group-purchasing some extra nice bits and bobs for a Merrier Christmas.

I'm collecting it on Saturday so the answer will be revealed then. ]]> <![CDATA[Its not waste if you sell it!]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2059 Thu, 16 Nov 2023 22:35:42 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2059
M&S/Ocado call them Scraps and sell them for £1.60!

https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-chip-...-544973011]]>
M&S/Ocado call them Scraps and sell them for £1.60!

https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-chip-...-544973011]]> <![CDATA[No Shop October]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2033 Mon, 09 Oct 2023 22:35:44 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2033 Its time I investigated the back of the cupboard and the bottom of the freezer to see how much space I can make. The big freezer is full with lots of fruit and veg from the garden but I still have things I want to freeze and its a constant challenge to shuffle the stuff around to squeeze in some more. I'm sure there's some past its best food at the bottom. Its like digging up hidden treasure when you have no idea what you'll find but you know that something is there, waiting to be discovered. 
So that's my plan for the next 3 weeks. Care to join me. Big Grin]]> Its time I investigated the back of the cupboard and the bottom of the freezer to see how much space I can make. The big freezer is full with lots of fruit and veg from the garden but I still have things I want to freeze and its a constant challenge to shuffle the stuff around to squeeze in some more. I'm sure there's some past its best food at the bottom. Its like digging up hidden treasure when you have no idea what you'll find but you know that something is there, waiting to be discovered. 
So that's my plan for the next 3 weeks. Care to join me. Big Grin]]> <![CDATA[Kitchen cupboard stocktake]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2019 Tue, 19 Sep 2023 13:25:45 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2019
I have 3 tins beside me - would anyone like to guess what they are and their Best Before Dates?  Big Grin]]>
I have 3 tins beside me - would anyone like to guess what they are and their Best Before Dates?  Big Grin]]> <![CDATA[Simplify your life]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1950 Sat, 24 Jun 2023 22:10:34 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1950  Living the Simple Life: A Guide to Scaling down and enjoying more" by Elaine St. James. 

Thought you might like to hear some of the suggestions!
1. Work less hours or work from home or stop working completely. The Author gave up her job and now churns out multiple books with very similar titles to earn a crust.
2. Downsize your home. Move to somewhere smaller so you have less to look after.
3. Sell most of your possessions because they won't fit into your smaller home. 
4. Get rid of all your books and use the library.
5. Get rid of your house plants as they take so much time watering etc. (She didn't say anything about having a garden. Maybe that's in another book.)
6. Eat the same meals every week so you have the same shopping list. 
7. Buy 7 identical pairs of socks and, once worn, put them in a wash bag. You'll never lose a sock again and you don't need to pair them up as they're identical.
8. Don't have friends over for meals - then you can reduce the amount of crockery and cutlery etc that you need.
9. Turn your phone onto answer machine and ignore it when it rings. You can then listen to the recorded message and ring back at a time when the caller will also have their answer machine on. That way you don't waste time on the phone.

I can't remember all the wonderful suggestions she had for "scaling down" but I'm not sure that "enjoying more" would be the end result.]]>  Living the Simple Life: A Guide to Scaling down and enjoying more" by Elaine St. James. 

Thought you might like to hear some of the suggestions!
1. Work less hours or work from home or stop working completely. The Author gave up her job and now churns out multiple books with very similar titles to earn a crust.
2. Downsize your home. Move to somewhere smaller so you have less to look after.
3. Sell most of your possessions because they won't fit into your smaller home. 
4. Get rid of all your books and use the library.
5. Get rid of your house plants as they take so much time watering etc. (She didn't say anything about having a garden. Maybe that's in another book.)
6. Eat the same meals every week so you have the same shopping list. 
7. Buy 7 identical pairs of socks and, once worn, put them in a wash bag. You'll never lose a sock again and you don't need to pair them up as they're identical.
8. Don't have friends over for meals - then you can reduce the amount of crockery and cutlery etc that you need.
9. Turn your phone onto answer machine and ignore it when it rings. You can then listen to the recorded message and ring back at a time when the caller will also have their answer machine on. That way you don't waste time on the phone.

I can't remember all the wonderful suggestions she had for "scaling down" but I'm not sure that "enjoying more" would be the end result.]]> <![CDATA[Energy Shift]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1760 Wed, 30 Nov 2022 16:52:14 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1760 I've had my first "Challenge" for this evening. 

Wednesday 30/11/2022
From 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm

40% reduction
  • Your typical use1.14kwh
  • Reduce by0.45kwh

I may be offline for an hour. Going to fill a flask with boiling water beforehand and not turn the heating on, however cold it gets. 

is anyone else doing this?]]> I've had my first "Challenge" for this evening. 

Wednesday 30/11/2022
From 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm

40% reduction
  • Your typical use1.14kwh
  • Reduce by0.45kwh

I may be offline for an hour. Going to fill a flask with boiling water beforehand and not turn the heating on, however cold it gets. 

is anyone else doing this?]]>