The streams, no. But I bet it's possible to forage in the parks - for a bit of greenery at least.
Waste lands are better for foraging. Parks tend to be quite 'manicured' except national trust parks which allow some plants to grow as nature intended.
Got t admit I keep thinking about getting more pro-active in my currently unused garden and trying to grow some vegetables and herbs. Trouble is my soil is pure clay.....and I have 5 cats. Unlike the rest of my very green fingered family.....I have a black thumb lol.
Any tips for getting a novice inexperienced gardener going?
After reading the initial discussion I did actually amend the shopping list I was putting together. I had already decided I was going to get a large shopping list delivered.....I just made it larger than normal.......and I have excess tinned/packaged food stored in my garage. ....and I intend to try and keep that extra safety net intact.......... This actually suits me since it means I don;t have to rush round the supermarket as much....and suits the slower way of life I enjoy as I get older.
Compost. Lots of it. Put as much organic matter onto your soil (or into it if you are into digging - I'm not) as possible.
Then think about what to plant - perennials are far less work than the usual annuals.
I hope you don't mind my recommending a few books - try Organic Gardening by Charles Dowding - he not only goes through the usual stuff that people grow to eat, but fully explains no-dig methods and how to get started.
Edible Perennial Gardening by Anni Kelsey is a great book. She grows a lot in quite a small garden. If that appeals then go onto How to grow perennial vegetables by Martin Crawford.
Libraries should be able to get them.
Waste lands are better for foraging. Parks tend to be quite 'manicured' except national trust parks which allow some plants to grow as nature intended.
Both can be good. There are a lot of decorative flowers that can be eaten - daylilies are my absolute favourite. Hosta shoots are a real treat in spring. Mallows, nasturtiums, bellflowers, lemon balm.
Try reading The Thrifty Forager by Alys Fowler. Part of the book is about city foraging.
I walked with friends along a roadside in Barmouth recently. It was a main road and I didn't pick anything because of car fumes but of the first dozen plant varieties we saw 10 were edible. It's largely a matter of knowing what can be eaten (and getting used to a few unusual tastes).
Both can be good. There are a lot of decorative flowers that can be eaten - daylilies are my absolute favourite. Hosta shoots are a real treat in spring. Mallows, nasturtiums, bellflowers, lemon balm.
Try reading The Thrifty Forager by Alys Fowler. Part of the book is about city foraging.I walked with friends along a roadside in Barmouth recently. It was a main road and I didn't pick anything because of car fumes but of the first dozen plant varieties we saw 10 were edible. It's largely a matter of knowing what can be eaten (and getting used to a few unusual tastes).
Yes I am familiar with foraging (but didn't know about hosta shoots and daylillies you mention - they are cultivated plants I believe).
"Food For Free" by Richard Mabey (published in the early 1970s) was a popular book of its time - when self sufficiency was taking off (with the pioneers like John Seymour). I was really into foraging back then - making elderflower champagne (traditional method), and using wild plants cosmetically, in cooking and medicinally.
And now we're closer to nuclear destruction than we have been for decades! Foraging won't help much, I guess.
And now we're closer to nuclear destruction than we have been for decades! Foraging won't help much, I guess.
What makes you say we are closer to nuclear destruction now Crowan?
I thought we were more likely to have an imminent terrorist attack in UK...such is the warning about this.
China in the Pacific?
China in the Pacific?
Well our government is now in the process of cementing a bond with China and the Pacific is the other side of the world.
China is currently concerned with Japan's nuclear arsenal.
China has created bases in the Pacific by pouring sand on, and then concreting, coral atolls. Many of these atolls are, by convention, 'owned' by the Philippines (with whom the USA has many military arrangements). A few days ago, the USA sent gun boats very close. At the moment it's all sabre rattling, but it could easily escalate.
China and Japan, China and Tiwan, China and South Korea - all these, if the relationships soured more, could easily drag the USA into conflict. But it's the Philippines that's the flash point at the moment.
China has created bases in the Pacific by pouring sand on, and then concreting, coral atolls. Many of these atolls are, by convention, 'owned' by the Philippines (with whom the USA has many military arrangements). A few days ago, the USA sent gun boats very close. At the moment it's all sabre rattling, but it could easily escalate.
China and Japan, China and Tiwan, China and South Korea - all these, if the relationships soured more, could easily drag the USA into conflict. But it's the Philippines that's the flash point at the moment.
Whilst I don't doubt what you say, I find it strange that it does not warrant being newsworthy. I listen to the news on radio and watch it on several TV channels. Either it's not deemed sufficiently serious or not being broadcast for some reason....odd!
Thisis from July - as you say, it's hard to find up to date reporting. You have to search for it.
As for what the media deem important - here's an article on just that, by (the wonderful) Gary Younge.
[url]Another one[/url] - George Monbiot this time. Had you heard that Indonesia is on fire? I pick up more news on Facebook these days.
Yes I heard of the Indonesian fire - that was in the main news. Of course I realise the element of bias operating when
news is broadcast. I am not on facebook but have you heard of this link?
I admit it is something I know about but rarely read...may change that!
Why do you trust this publication more than others?
I generally trust The Guardian for facts, but two thirds of the opinion writers are veering right in their politics.
Why do you trust this publication more than others?
I generally trust The Guardian for facts, but two thirds of the opinion writers are veering right in their politics.
I didn't say that I trust it but it would appear to be a less biaised source than many other sources that I get my news from.
So now, by your own admission, that The Guardian is largely veering to the right...will you be seeking a more sympathetic source of news (that veers to the politics we both share)? If you find one, then let me know! 😉