Selfsufficientish.com

"Fine words butter no parsnips" - was a saying I heard often as a child as a reprimand My mother only cooked parsnips in boiled beef stew with carrots and dumplings, or roast in the oven with a beef joint, so when I had charge of my own kitchen I tried "buttering parsnips" and I ...

Yes - We only do calm here! Anything that is "trouble" meets the freezer :shock: - at least that way I don't feel guilty when they have to go :iconbiggrin: Crested Ducks Hi again - I am editing this to add a link to my Miniature Apricot Crested Ducks site as there is quite a bit of info ab...

That is one of the things I like best about the Apricot Minature Crested that I have - I ended up last year with one female and two males, both of which I wanted to keep because of their excellent crests. I was very worried about what might happen and monitored the situation closely. I know they mat...

hehe! Still not got them yet. Just thinking that they can't make as much noise as dogs! So neighbours can't really complain! The place we thought about getting them from have the Indian Runners, Aylesbury and call ducks. I think runners can be good layers if they are from a good strain. Most Aylesb...

Thank you very much. I think the Mini Crested Apricot sound ideal. We want them to look pretty, for eggs, and pets. (To live alongside 3 cats & 7 chickens). We have never wanted a male before, but now considering it, does the male make a lot more noise though, as I don't want to upset the neigh...

Fowl can live for around 12 years or so, though I would think fertility of the males would drop off at around 4-5 years. You can make a guess at his age by the length of his spurs (Don't forget to trim them if they get too long or they can mortally damage the hens whilst mating) As for fighting it p...

Ducks are fun and excellent slug eaters for the garden. I have kept quite a few varieties and it depends what you want them for. If it is eggs to eat then apparently Khaki Campbell are the best, though I bought some with the intention of extra eggs through the winter, and not only did they not lay i...

Hi Lauren from over by Bromyard way. If you want to get a head start for your weedy patch to turn it into a veg plot why not see if you can get some farmyard manure, or stuff from a stableyard, or spent mushroom compost, or the black compost from the Waste recycling place. Tip it on the ground where...

I don't know the breeder, but there are some for sale on Preloved
http://www.preloved.co.uk/fuseaction-ad ... f1099.html

All the best
Sue

I put a few pages on my site about what to do with surplus eggs

Storing Eggs

Recipes using Eggs

Selling surplus eggs

Have a mooch

All the best
Sue

It sounds as though you have a wonderful strong partnership and that he has a good support in you.

This little booklet might be worth reading through - it is only 1p from Amazon (plusp&p) and this one also

Sending good thoughts
Sue

Blight comes in when weather conditions are right, so very often the earlies get away with it. Mine have cropped very well this year, so I shall have plenty. I cut off the tops yesterday, although the blight was minimal. I am trying bagging them in cheap dustbin liners, and leaving them to dry out b...

Oska is advertised as very, very early, I guess you didn't find it that special. . As I say all planted same day - they are ready now, and for a week or so, but the Mange Tout and Sugar Ann were much quicker, and I am happy with peas of any description, not bothered if they are shelled peas. From m...

Grew them all this year, though I have grown telephone before as well OK in general - Telephone didnt want to get started at all, maybe too dry, eventually it has got going but probably not going to be a wonderful crop Oska OK sweet peas to eat, and the pigeons certianly LOVED the plants. Reasonable...

Wow Charlie - It sounds like you are really into your mushroom growing. How did you find out so much about it, and is the bulk spawn easy to source.

All the best
Sue