Selfsufficientish.com

What is the 'wrong' time of year for a new potato? If you plant them early in a pot in the house and transfer to a cold greenhouse later; you can have 'new potatoes' in April. The same applies to planting the tubers later - providing you survive blight - 'new potatoes' in August and beyond. I have h...

The pressure cooker was always an essential piece of equipment for camping holidays. Used to bung everything in and wait for half an hour. The stews were always good - or maybe that was just because the wine had kicked in by then! I must admit that I haven't used it so much for pressure cooking rece...

I have also heard that salt poured into the middle of the plant will kill it. I have also never tried it but, perhaps, some of these 'old wives tales' are worth a go. Wonder if the type of salt is important - whether it's the cheap sort with iodine in or whether sea salt will do. Do they still put i...

Ina Sorry - I don't know any more about the study. It was an item that appeared on BBC Breakfast News some time last year I think. Am 90% sure it was done by Glasgow University. We got onto the subject of Chocolate via pesticides. As Cocoa is sprayed with Lindane; we girls should be very afraid - an...

MMM

How many shopping days 'til Christmas!!!!!!!!!

Hi Shirlz

I'm a chocoholic - can go for months without but once I fall off the wagon -that's it. Eat every choc in sight. Surviving just on wine tonight. Ho Hum.

Fair Trade Choc is supposed to be OK too.

Shirlz Only reporting on what Eden Project implied. Have heard the same from other sources. Monsanto is one of the principal culprits. They have a huge influence, especially in America, principally regarding the cultivation of GM crops. What worries me is a Study done in your neck of the woods, Glas...

There's a great catalogue from a company down here in the West who I find is much cheaper than the Organic Catalogue. They sell a vast range of usual/unusual veg seed and green manures. Easy on-line ordering. www.edwintucker.com Have only sown broad beans as yet. (In those wonderful newspaper pots) ...

I visited the Eden Project last year and they had a lot of information regarding hemp. It seems that the principal reason for it not being grown commercially is the huge lobby from the 'pesticide' companies. Whereas cotton and other crops require huge amount of pesticide - hemp does not. Anyone have...

Thanks for that link Stew.

It's an interesting site. I might have a go at something a bit smaller than the polytunnel first as I'm useless at following technical drawings. I liked the look of the cold frames. Unless you know of anyone who offers a pollytunnel erection service!!

I know what you mean. Sounds fascinating. I think you'll have to be careful with the torch or you'll end up with it melting. I've done that with some 'veins' I was trying to attach to 'leaves'. Our new tutor makes us use a blowing technique which is much more controllable but you need a fair amount ...

Well done getting the grant. My son's girl friend works for the Princes Trust and she's always moaning there's never any money in the kitty.

How will you fire what you make - have you got a kiln?

I wouldn't mind trying it one day - when my ship comes in. A friend of mine always says "Lanie - when your ship comes in - you'll be waiting at the airport" !!!

Hi Sarah and welcome to the site. You won't go short of manure for your veggie plot will you with three horses. Lucky you. What sort of greenhouse have you got? I've got an old wooden Alton one and it's sort of falling to bits now. Need a new one but can't afford it and I haven't found an article on...

Hi Beth and welcome I't not too late to start carrots in pots. I use polystyrene boxes I get from the fruit and veg shop. You have to use an 'early' variety though. The cut and come again lettuce will give you a very quick crop as will baby leaf spinach. Parsley does quite well but you have to have ...