The DIG game. DESERT ISLAND GARDENER

[PLUMPUDDING]

Oh dear Pa, I've landed on the wrong island! It's 32° here and dropped to 24° last night.

[robo]

WEATHER REPORT FOR YOUR ISLAND

The current weather is mild, temperatures of 10 >12 during day. 8 at night

Signs of heavy rainfall on horizon, heading your way

Best put me tent up , I always carry a tent when I'm cruising the seas

[tigerburnie]

Lets go for bulk and grow butternut squashes, broad beans and French beans would be starters for me. Carrots for vitamin c too.

[Pawty]

Hi,

Not sure about varieties but, veg would include courgettes (quick, heavy cropper and long growing season, not that fussy on conditions really), French beans (can also dry, although, may be risky on conditions!), lettuce ( cut and come again and will seed, quick to grow anywhere), beetroot would be good (good for you and can harvest leaves), spring onions (quick, tasty etc..) and the final one ...hmmm trying to think sensibly rather than taste....(and assuming potatos don't count) kale - ( not fussy, grows anywhere and you can harvest what you like and it keeps giving... and then flowers which also tast good!

Pawty

[tigerburnie]

Rice?

[Pa Snip]

Some interesting replies so far.

I shall continue tomorrow, bit cream crackered having driven for 4 hours northwards Yesterday (4 hrs 5 minutes 259 miles)
in order to visit a friend in hospital
and then back again today. ( return journey 4hrs 15mins)

[Pa Snip]

A bit of good fortune has come your way this morning, during your early morn stroll along the beach you discovered a fishing net freshly washed ashore.
During the last few days you have also noticed prolific birdlife and seals basking.

Further exploration on your part has revealed signs of previous habitation, derelict ruins of a few homes and a possible place of ancient worship

The above are all things you may adapt and utilise

The weather during the last few days on your island has remained at an average of 11 degrees with low of 8 overnight.
Rain has been light to moderate and you may reasonably expect that to be the case for foreseeable future. Frost is unlikely.
high winds are possible

Very few of you seem to have taken a book,

Severe lack of tools being made in order to work the ground

NO SIGN OF SEARCH PARTIES OR RESCUE

What might you do so that anything you grow may help your potential rescue for a short term ?

[PLUMPUDDING]

I've chosen the most complete ruined building with a bit of shelter and a good view. I've made it more weather proof with bits scavenged from the other buildings. Also managed to unravel and mend the fishing net and collected driftwood for the fire and to make stronger tools with. Started clearing the land near the buildings and made a compost heap. Applied seaweed over cleared area and will probably dig it in or sow between or plant through it depending on strength of home made tools.

Fortunately have several lighters so no problem making boiled eggs for breakfast (sea bird yolks taste a bit fishy though)

Sowing seeds tomorrow. Might put crushed seashells round edge of seed bed to keep possible snails away and might use bit of net to keep other birds/wildlife off. Bit tired so having poached eggs and seaweed and going to read my book.

[Pa Snip]

Well done PP, no wonder you are tired.

Good job done there, fully entered into spirit of the thing.

Now you have the chance to do as the advert suggests




P P P Pick up a penguin.

Love the comment about fishy tasting yolk

[tigerburnie]

As a keen fisherman I'd use the net to catch some protein rather than seed protection, trying to find a low lying area to create my paddy field for the rice!!

[PLUMPUDDING]

I've saved the mended piece of net for fishing Tiger, just using the spare bit for seed protection☺. Never been fishing so that will be a new challenge. I like eating fish though.

[peter]

I'd have been looking for palm trees or hazel and seem to have found both.

Using my swiss army penknife sawblafe to cut hazel rods and some sharp slate as a aplitter I'm naking hurdles.
Gathering fallen palm leaves for making string (raffia like fronds) and woven sheets and baskets, maybe even nets and traps.

[PLUMPUDDING]

Bad luck Peter, Pasnip says there aren't any coconut palms, there might be date palms though. I think Pasnip has a cooler island than I had in mind.

I did cut lots of hazel poles in real life though yesterday. They come in handy for all sorts of things don't they.

I wonder if there's any lemongrass or pampas grass. They're both useful for tying stuff up and the lemongrass makes very nice tea.

[Pa Snip]

Bad luck Peter, Pasnip says there aren't any coconut palms, there might be date palms though. I think Pasnip has a cooler island than I had in mind. Well deduced, it is a cooler island than you thought. No coconut palms and no date palms

I did cut lots of hazel poles in real life though yesterday. They come in handy for all sorts of things don't they.

I wonder if there's any lemongrass or pampas grass. They're both useful for tying stuff up and the lemongrass makes very nice tea.

There certainly maybe pampas grass, and as you have made a good deduction I can tell you may find a small patch of lemongrass in the south west corner of the island

[Pa Snip]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRRSRNDuu98