Selfsufficientish.com

Post edited. Hope that's better.

Stonehead wrote:Post edited. Hope that's better.

I think it was a compliment Stoney - certainly that is how I took it..

I liked the full version! Twas most interesting.

ina wrote:We've had that discussion before on this forum; if it wasn't for the folk who trying to make a quick buck by selling second class conventional veg as organic for a premium, we wouldn't need the certification process. Sad, but true, that many people can't be trusted not to take advantage.

yeh you are right of course - its the cheaters who ruin it for everyone else
.. unfortunately.. I am not convinced a cert. changes that a lot. and as I said, I am also not convinced the consumer understands how much chemicals/pesticides/medicines are allowed when they buy 'organic'

at the end of the day though it is always a personal choice - Personally I do use drench and pour on on my sheep - I don't think farming them organically would necessarily be the best welfare - but I don't use them unless I perceive a problem, and I do know when last used etc, in relation to the animal going to slaughter etc.

with the veg.. I dont use any chemicals - although we do keep getting tempted by the new 'safe' slug pellets.... its jsut you need a second mortgage to buy them!

Rather than starting another thread, I'll get back to the topic of compost/manure.
I've now had an offer from a friend who is an organic livestock farmer of as much well rotted muck as I like. Now in the past I've only ever used horse manure, but this is more likely to be cattle and sheep. Is this all suitable? Is there a specific time of year to dig it in (I'm not doing roots this year) Anything else to consider?

sounds fab to me

spuds and the hungry plants.. like the squash family and sweetcorn would like it now - if it really is well rotted.

Double posting - it got stuck!

Lots of people dig it in in autumn - but I prefer to apply it at the beginning of the growing season. That way you don't lose any nutrients through washing out.

If it's well rotted muck you could even use it to ridge up your tatties with, or mulch some of the veg.

If the muck is still a bit fresh, pile it up and let it rot further - and you can grow your pumpkins, courgettes and squashes on the pile in the first year; they can cope with quite fresh muck.

Hi Carvey,

do you have a chance to keep a pig or two? Sounds like a good option for you!

Cheers

Peter

ina wrote:If the muck is still a bit fresh, pile it up and let it rot further - and you can grow your pumpkins, courgettes and squashes on the pile in the first year; they can cope with quite fresh muck.

I think they can cope with anything - the wind blew the top off a large compost bin, full of winter's mucking outs of ducks and chooks interspersed with a load of green stuff, and very unrotted at the moment.

Guess what is coming up through all that like a green lawn?