Clever s*ds - help required please!!

[Bunnylump]

Oh sorry. I've been anaethatising (no hope of that being spelled right) myself following my accident. Actually having trouble sitting upright leta lone typing. (I know I should know better at my age...etc.)

[LAT]

Now who's mocking whose spelling?

[MBH]

I'm guessing she's thinking of 'MotherShip', and that's probably got more chance of being Battlestar Galactica

[Bunnylump]

I'm not quite sure what I was thinking last night. I'd really gone for it. All that liver damage did not equal a good night's sleep, sadly.

[Biscuit]

me too. Had lots of relatives around for a bbq. Was dreading it so much that I probably over indulged.

Biscuit

[Bunnylump]

That was very brave, Biscuit!!! (The relatives I mean. not the drinking).

I'd like some advice from GARDENING bods please. Can someone please tell me if it is worth getting that moisture control compost stuff? I've heard some people saying it's really good, and others saying it's a waste of money because the plants can't access the moisture bead thingies. Any thoughts on this please before I waste some more money??

[kathlyn]

I add the moisture granules to the compost in my baskets and pots, It seems to work.

[Bunnylump]

Oh, right. I didn't think of getting them separately! Good tip, thanks.

[giraffe]

You have to be careful though. I got the proportions wrong and all the gel crytals swelled up and erupted fromthe baskets like alien frogspawn.

[MBH]

As I once heard stated about a computer situation:

That's not a problem - it's a feature.

[giraffe]

Not when it swamps the flowers and you can no longer see them!

[Bunnylump]

Only you would do that Giraffe!!

[Biscuit]

bbq went well - bit worried that my dad has given me his garden gazebo (think that I am being set up to the one who does all these family parties) Evening went better than I thought and I have never managed a party for over 30. Anyway did it and loads of food left over.

Bit hungover this morning - so much so that when my parents turned up to help clear up at 10 I was really wishing I could just lie quietly and clear up when I felt a wee bit better. OH had to jump out of bed, get dressed in two minutes and help grandad clear up the gazebo and garden (both nanny and grandad had been awake since about 8) and felt that 10 was quite late:( felt early for us.

[clvrlad]

well it is a monday morning

mind 4pm is early for me i was getting to bed a 10 am this morning

[Biscuit]

10 am - what were you up to that late/early

[clvrlad]

going to bed.....thought i said

lol sorry couldn't resist id been working late the Newcastle journal and the north echoes ( both teeside and durham editions) didn't arrive at work till 7am (to say the first van leaves at 4:05 last van out leaves at 5:30 this was slightly late....) i was answering the phones and correcting packing mistakes

after all someone has to earn the double pay..... normally on a monday i do 3.5 hours 1:30am till 5am was still there at 8am this morning....... just think a day off and double pay..... tonight i do 8 hours i start at 10....must dash

[Biscuit]

I see - my husband used to sort out and delivery a local paper and I used to love going up to northampton when it was printed and help and insert the leaflets etc - about 25 years ago now but good memories.
biscuit

Have fun at work.

[Wulfruna]

You have to be careful though. I got the proportions wrong and all the gel crytals swelled up and erupted fromthe baskets like alien frogspawn.

Yes, I had that problem too last year - even though I am an experienced gardener and had used them on previous occasions! I guess the new ones must be stronger than in the past..... it ccertainly produced an interesting effect
But if used carefully and properly mixed into the compost water granules can be a real help. They don't stop the need to keep on watering your pots regularly, - it just means you can do it a bit less often and they will survive if you miss a day now and then. But it doesn't work if you think you can leave them for days on end (e.g. if away for a week) - the pots will still dry out if left for too long. In hot weather I still water daily (preferably morning or evening when it is not so hot), but I need noticeably less water.

[Bunnylump]

Ah, thanks. The reason I was querying it was that someone told me that although the granules do hold water, the plant roots couldn't actually ACCESS the water from them, if you see what I mean. Obviously you haven't had that problem.

[giraffe]

I think it's the compost that uses the water from the crystals, keeping it moist for longer, so the roots can get it from there. It stops the compost from drying out as quickly, rather than giving water directly to the plant.