Greetings from Fife,Scotland

[hay331]

Hello, I live in Cardenden, Fife.

I discovered this site while looking for info on how to grow garlic.
I am have been moving towards growing my own stuff for a while now and last year managed mixed lettuce, spinach, and spring onions. My carrots, turnips, and beet hardly did anything but it was because I planted in too shady an area (I think!).
My garden is large enough for growing some veg and I have put 2 of those mini greenhouse things in the bedroom where the sun shines for most of the day. I am going to use these for strawberries, and tomatoes, plus, I will start my other seeds off in them. This year, outdoors, I am growing (hopefully), red onions, shallots, spring onions, carrots, peas, lettuce and spinach plus some herbs in tubs.
My daughter is just finishing of her degree in herbal medicine (very useful I might say!)and is reasonably knowledgeable about edible wild plants.

I have no doubt you will see me popping up with cries for help!

[Wombat]

G'DAy Hay!

Welcome to the site I think that you will find that the people here are always ready to share their knowledge and help out.

Nice to meet you!

Nev

[Andy Hamilton]

Hey Hay

glad you found us. All this years garlic is looking good for me at the moment some strong healthy shoots. with any luck we wont have to buy any more garlic after the summer for a year.

A degree in herbal medicine sounds fascinating.

[PlayingWithFire]

Greetings from Perth, Scotland ... and Orkney.

Have you been to the Earthship house, Fife?

We love garlic, eat huge quantities (warning!).

Best wishes - Malcolm

[hay331]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I can buy lovely organic garlic from "Pillars of Hercules" (organic farm in Falkland. Can the cloves be planted at this time? Some of the stuff I have read says plant in Autumn, so I am a bit confused!

I haven't been to the earthship house yet but my son has, he say it is amazing but you need to see it to appreciate it.

[Andy Hamilton]

last year I planted my garlic in may I think it was and they grew fine. So yes indeed. It is often just ideal times that are quoted on sites (including ours).

[hay331]

Well thats mine planted! Took the opportunity of a dry spell today. I also planted some round a rosebush that gets plagued with greenfly, do you think that will help?

[Andy Hamilton]

Yep garlic is reported to get rid of greenfly. Thinking back I did not have much trouble with greenfly last year so I guess it does work.

[PlayingWithFire]

We went to the Earthship last year but it wasn't completed so couldn't go inside. Inspirational though. Great garden and location - a good place to spend time.

[greenbean]

Hello Hay,
I am not too far from you, I live in Stirling. I am growing red onions, carrots, cauliflower, broad beans, runner beans, beets and sweetcorn and a few other herbs and salads so far this year, will be doing some pumpkins & courgettes later too. This is my first year at veggie gardening, I am loving it. I haven't plaanted garlic yet, like you I read that autumn was the time to plant the cloves. I love garlic and I'm sure I must constantly stink of it. I don't get any greenfly hanging round me anyway!
I haven't heard of the Earthship, Fife, what is it? Where is it? Can I take my wee dog on a day out to it?

[PlayingWithFire]

Hi Greenbean - I am in Perth but off up to Orkney soon so living like a nomadic hunter gatherer - no garden.

Re: Earthship Fife
Have a look at http://www.sci-scotland.org.uk/earthship.html and scroll down. It is popular with children and big kids like me! I'd give them a phonecall - check they are open.

Cheers to all Scots here!

[Chickenlady]

Welcome, Hay!

This earthship place sounds excellent - a bit far from me though.
I am reading The Natural House book at the moment - very inspirational on buildings with minimal environmental impact.

[PlayingWithFire]

Isn't the Natural House Book wonderful?!

I have it here infront of me - for inspiration.

Best wishes
Malcolm

[Andy Hamilton]

Would be good if there were more low impact building projects. I had a look and found a site that links to a few sites for a bit of further research http://www.liquefaction.com/berm/

[Muddypause]

for a bit of further research http://www.liquefaction.com/berm/

That's an excellent links page; I shall have to spend a week or two working through it.

I'm particularly interested in strawbale building. I've been looking into it for a couple of years and have finally booked onto a strawbale building course in a few weeks. Before then, next week I shall be helping someone build a strawbale recording studio in his garden.