Search found 274 matches

by vivie veg
Wed Jan 07, 2015 1:26 pm
Forum: Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Topic: 2014 Slug Invasion
Replies: 64
Views: 26452

Re: 2014 Slug Invasion

Pigeons will leave V shaped holes, whereas slugs tend to be rounded holes or just take the whole leaf I have been doing more research into Ferric Phosphate. Apparently these can cause Iron poisoning, if eaten in sufficient quantity. Unlikely if sprinkled on the ground, but likely if a small child or...
by vivie veg
Fri Jan 02, 2015 8:16 am
Forum: Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Topic: 2014 Slug Invasion
Replies: 64
Views: 26452

Re: 2014 Slug Invasion

Just remembered Ducks are great for clearing your garden of most things (including your prized vegs) so need to be well enclosed into the areas you want them to clear.

Unfortunately I don't have ducks any more, moved house and don't have enough space :(
by vivie veg
Fri Jan 02, 2015 8:11 am
Forum: Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Topic: 2014 Slug Invasion
Replies: 64
Views: 26452

Re: 2014 Slug Invasion

Anybody tried slug pellets with Ferric Phosphate? It is OK for Organic gardens registered growers. The Ferric Phosphate stops the slugs eating, they go an hide and presumably starve to death. But ir is not poisonous to anything but slugs and snails. m I tried it last year and had no problem with slu...
by vivie veg
Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:33 am
Forum: Birds, Animals and Livestock
Topic: Duck in garden.
Replies: 28
Views: 17261

duck food

Mixed poultry grain or layers pellets are obviously idea for ducks and can be bought for about £6 per 25 kg bag from most agricultural outlets. This will last one duck a long...long time. Mixed grain would probably be best as you could use it in bird feeders for other feathered friends (layers pelle...
by vivie veg
Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:48 am
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: growing rhubarb
Replies: 12
Views: 5582

forcing rhubarb

There seems to be few article about just now telling you how to force rhubarb. I agree with most of the advise, but find that an upturned bucket is far too small.....I use an open bottomed plastic compost bin. At this time of year I just lift it off the compost and put it over the rhubarb patch. The...
by vivie veg
Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:19 am
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: growing rhubarb
Replies: 12
Views: 5582

acid in rhubarb

The acidity developes with time so the early sticks should be quite sweet (especially if forced).

I never pick after July as the sticks are too bitter and it gives the plants time to build up the roots for next years crop.
by vivie veg
Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:29 am
Forum: Technical Data
Topic: Watercress (revised Oct.2007)
Replies: 21
Views: 22353

Allan,

Thanks for the extra notes on growing watercress (at the begin of this thread for those who have missed them!)

Vivianne
by vivie veg
Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:22 am
Forum: Growing places
Topic: Propane Greenhouse/polytunnel heater for sale 'Hotbox'
Replies: 3
Views: 3380

Ta Chantelle :lol:
by vivie veg
Sat Aug 18, 2007 9:28 am
Forum: Growing places
Topic: Propane Greenhouse/polytunnel heater for sale 'Hotbox'
Replies: 3
Views: 3380

Propane Greenhouse/polytunnel heater for sale 'Hotbox'

I have a Hotbox for sale. I purchased it secondhand, but now realise that it is FAR too big for my polytunnel (14ft X 28 Foot). I have not connected it up and checked that it will run, so can not guarentee that it works, and it will need plumbing work and a gas regulator. The brochure says it will g...
by vivie veg
Tue May 22, 2007 6:22 pm
Forum: Technical Data
Topic: Watercress (revised Oct.2007)
Replies: 21
Views: 22353

Safety of wild watercress

Dear all, The problem with watercress from the wild (even from clean streams) is the possibility that it may contain snail/slug eggs, these in turn may be carrying the liverwart parasite, this is especially so if sheep are grazing around the stream or in fields upstream from the watercress. So you m...
by vivie veg
Sat May 12, 2007 8:48 am
Forum: Birds, Animals and Livestock
Topic: Hens & Rhubarb
Replies: 6
Views: 4211

I had the same problem as John, but in this case it was one year old plants that I was about to plant out. The chickens stripped the leaves off, so I had to put the pots out of harms way until I could move the chickens off that plot. The chickens came to no harm, but the plants looked very sorry for...
by vivie veg
Tue May 01, 2007 6:30 pm
Forum: Technical Data
Topic: Tomato - Idli
Replies: 4
Views: 7727

Thanks Lyn, Yes they are the yellow cherry toms. I must admit that I bought them as I wanted a yellow cherry tom for the polytunnel and bush tomatoes take up a lot of ground space, but don't utilise the height. As mentioned before the T & M instructions are to grow them as cordons, but the plant...
by vivie veg
Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:46 pm
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Reproducing a clematis
Replies: 7
Views: 3449

Hi Madasafish,

I would not be surprised if your willow stump starts to grow prolifically, unless you have done something to kill it. But I'm sure the clematis will look lovely growing though the new branches.

Good luck with the cuttings.
by vivie veg
Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:38 pm
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Pruning grapes
Replies: 5
Views: 3320

Grapes should be pruned during the winter before the sap starts to flow or the plant will 'bleed' to death. However once the new growth has produced flowers you can prune the NEW growth after two leaves past the flower cluster. This should direct the energy and light into the developing fruit. If yo...
by vivie veg
Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:25 pm
Forum: Technical Data
Topic: Tomato - Idli
Replies: 4
Views: 7727

Tomato - Idli

This is my first year of growing these and I have a query. The seed packet says remove all side shoots as they appear, leaving one main stem . However, the nice weather has encouraged early growth and I did not get around to removing some side shoots until they were getting a bit big, but I noticed ...