Selfsufficientish.com

You should be able to buy a chip reader from anywhere, they arent that expensive apparently, £40 springs to mind. Avid was recommended to me [I remember it as I use same name brand on my mountain bike brakes, go figure!!] check with RSPCA/DEFRA or similar. Good luck with the pet passport, I shipped ...

Romie, I have pm'd you. Maybe we can do a NW meet up ?

There is a Preston group, just starting up, so hoping that might grow into something. Will look into LETS etc, used to be a group here, not sure if it is still around.

Thanks for ideas.

So I have been thinking about this for a while, and Romie's post has got me started.... How do you meet up with other ishers/permaculturists/growers etc ? Or do you ? I have thought of doing a Permaculture course, but there are none near me, or on any free weekends [mainly cos I virtually never have...

Ha, I hear you on the 'weird at work' thing, not only do I grow/save stuff, I also run a lot, eat salad and dont watch soap operas !

If you are ever on this side of town let me know, would be fun to catch up and check out each others' dream pads !

Hi and welcome Romie.

Where in Preston are you ? I am just outside in Longridge, a lovely spot, altho significantly more modest than the project you have undertaken. Good luck with it, sounds about where I was a couple of years ago [minus the hubbie part !]

Looking for a few suggestions of things to grow in a big space I have just cleared in my living room after selling a book case. Pretty good light [large window and full glass door] High traffic area [teens, dog, cats] Tall would be good, not too wide Smelling nice, cleaning air, generally useful Not...

Thanks Bill, they have a great range, very impressive, but at £25 for 3 plants a little more than I had in mind !

Anyone else ?

I extended my fruit raised bed this weekend, moved some gooseberrys that had self rooted etc and now have room for 2 [ok, maybe 3] more rhubarb plants. I already have several dotted around the garden, not sure of names/varieties, some are from what was here when I reclaimed the garden and split up, ...

Aww, thanks Marc, will get some ordered

I fancy having a go at growing Edamame beans this year, but cant find a UK outlet to buy them. Has anyone got any advice for buying from US, are there import complications ? I have a friend on a US base in Yorkshire, so could use a US address [very handy as avoids high shipping costs !] Or a UK sour...

I had suspected I had flat worm last year, hardly any worms in veg beds and a funny looking specimen. Google and a few hours pottering today where I found a couple of the critters confirmed it today. :( Anyone got any tips or suggestions ? I am going to cover raised beds tomorrow with black sacks, f...

Just placed an order with Alan Romans, prices certainly seem ok, seed quantities arent massive per pack, but adequate. Range is limited, but covers the basics. Fingers crossed, will try to remember to feed back.

If it doesnt have to be pretty you might just go to your local carpet shop and ask for the old stuff they rip out of peoples' houses before they put down new. Keeps the weeds down, holds the ground together and can look pretty [ok I lay mine face down] oh and it is free !

I am about to get another batch of chickens and am having a hard time sourcing the organic layers pellets I used to get. Just wondering what anyone else uses for their chooks ? My main goals are: cost low, or low as possible given the second goal; avoid GMO; I really dont like the idea of feeding my...

I am starting to think about getting some more chooks or ducks in the next month or so. Had ex-bat chickens before and they were great, apart from WRECKING the garden every time they got out or where let out. I have a shed and small sheltered area for housing, but liked to let them out as often as p...