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How did you do the hotbed ? is this a compost pit idea ? we tried a compost bed once and it seemed to work although there was little evidence of extra warmth ... saying that, we were very new to tunnels and perhaps in our enthusiasm, we overlooked (or overcooked) something.

That sounds like a good idea ... probably gets stifling in there ! A great place to sit with a nice white wine ...

:cheers: Huzzah ! We have cleaned the polythene of the tunnel ! It gets done every November to let more light in over the winter period. There's never much gunge as such and takes little effort to remove but the difference once done is SO good. True to form, just like when you wash your car, it rain...

We grew Sarpo after a recommendation in the local agri-suppliers. They were ok but not as good as others we've grown or bought from organic farms. We found they fell apart very quickly when cooked and the crop wasn't bountiful like other varieties. We'll not try again. Still love the Pink Fur Apples...

I like the idea of the fire ashes ... I'd forgotten about them. I used to take a bucketful out to my old Ford Anglia when I was a lot younger, it had no carpets and would be toasty by the time I had to go to work. When the cold seriously kicks in, I think we'll do that. We do use fleece for the unha...

Spot on there ... the coatings are something to be very cautious about. The heavily impregnated timbers (tanalised, creosote etc.) should be avoided. They may burn well but the fumes will be lethal and I wouldn't trust the ashes afterwards (if you intend to use it on the land). Cutting creosote base...

Hi all. The frosts have arrived and everything is slowing down in the tunnel. We always have fresh salad on Christmas Day for breakfast (with sliced smoked venison and a small sloe gin) ... real local, high quality, low priced produce. Yes, I know venison is dear (sorry) but pound for pound, higher ...

Also, used a vegetable based chain lube oil. You'd be surprised how much oil spray you inhale/ingest. I always use the veg oil ... it's gentler on us and the environment. I was asked to log up in a local field where the owner was to let her thoroughbred horses onto the land afterwards. There's no w...

Has anyone tried driftwood from the seashore ? We used to collect it as children and then during the strikes as young adults. Nowadays, we only tend to get it when we remember. When dry, the salty wood burns with an incredible sparkle and constantly changing colour flame.

I usually get windfall timber from a friend's wood. It helps clear the area for him, makes it safer and gives me free fuel. We are just logging a huge horse chestnut that is hollow (which made for challenging safety issues). It'll take a while to season but if it's anything like the Ash tree I was g...

This sounds brilliant. I've been meaning to do something with the hops I have left over, now I know that my mates can use them :o)

We have restored a 3 bedroom old cottage to traditional style but with efficiency, ease of maintenance and comfort in mind. Double glazed throughout with GRBP doors, insulated ceilings, multi-fuel stove, solid fuel Rayburn plus Gas C/H (as reserve). One acre land currently set to 25 raised beds, sma...