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Feeling overwhelmed? Maybe these simple strategies can help you be happily productive – without the stress!
When we are overwhelmed by how much we have to do, it’s easy to run round in circles, achieving nothing. What we need are useful strategies which will help us get the work done, without leaving us feeling exhausted. I make a daily to-do list and recently I was noticing that more and more things…
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Recognising seedlings when weeding – parsnips
It’s an important part of weeding – recognising plants you want to keep when they are at seedling stage and this week it was the parsnips I was weeding. The area I had to clear had the little bit of the onion patch on one side which I hadn’t quite finished, and the patch with…
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S5 Ep 8 Dealing with gluts – what to do when things go too well!
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-9bzw9-164c0da Your plants are growing well, very well and you end up with basket-loads of fruit and veg but what do you do then? Join me for this weeks episode as I discuss gardening gluts and what we can do with them. Ideas, tips, suggestions and a couple of recipes you can use today –…
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Why is it so hard for people to help?
If you come across someone obviously needing help, do you jump in or wait for someone else to do it? This question came into my mind today because of a situation I came across and the outcome really surprised me (and made me a little angry if I’m honest). I was driving into the car…
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Summer pruning fruit trees
It was time to prune my cherry and plum trees as the weather has warmed and their appearance was unruly to say the least. Stone fruit trees should be pruned in the warmer summer months as they are prone to infection in the winter when they can’t heal the cut wounds so well. This can…
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A tired brain, a hyper dog, confused weather and other ramblings
My brain can’t settle at the moment. I feel like I have 1001 thoughts whizzing through my head like a train that doesn’t stop at a station. I’m more tired than usual which explains my tired but over-active brain. The reason for this, I believe, is partly because of the house next door. I have…
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S5 Ep 7 Common gardening mistakes – and how to fix ’em!
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-5i8vm-1643112 Mistakes? I’ve made a few.. In this weeks jam packed episode I’m bringing you some of the most common gardening mistakes – and the easy ways you can fix them! Mistakes can be a great opportunity for learning but some can be avoided from the beginning, so join me and discover how to turn…
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A mixed weekend of progress, rain and gardening (plus some blog news)
At the beginning of the weekend, I didn’t think I would be getting much done. We did get a thunder storm on Friday afternoon and I was sure that was to set the tone for the next few days. I wasn’t far wrong! Some indoor jobs were necessary so I was pleased to get the…
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You can’t trust ants (they are in cahoots with the aphids!)
When I saw an aphid infestation on my willow tree, I thought to myself ‘don’t panic, there will be a biological control along soon enough’. When I saw the ants I thought the problem was solved. I was wrong. It turns out when you see something like this: It is a beautiful example of a…
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Making a fairy garden (part 1)
If you listened to this weeks episode of my podcast, you will know I have decided to turn part of the front garden into a fairy garden. There is a patch at the side which just has a lilac and bits and bobs and doesn’t look particularly pleasant. So, I got my thinking cap on…
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Watching ‘Outlander’ as a Highlander
I’ve heard about the Outlander books and associated tv show but it wasn’t something I had followed – until now. I bought the first season dvd at a second hand place we go to regularly, thinking if I didn’t like it at least it hadn’t cost me much. But I do like it. I like…
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Finally transplanting tomatoes and cucumbers into polytunnel
Thanks to the great Scottish weather we’ve had for the last few weeks, my plants are really suffering but I’ve finally managed to get some tomatoes and a few ill-looking cucumbers transplanted into the polytunnel on the plot. I’ve used the string method, where you tie the string to a bar at the top of…
Coming from my slice of life to help you find more joy in yours
my slice of life blog 