Hi glallotments I see what you mean. And I guess by the nature of DOW's test of mixing manure with compost indicates there shouldn't be any contamination of the manure. I admit I haven't had distorted growth - although I have had great difficulty in getting bean seeds to germinate in the compost I h...

Hi Folks It's a little while since I posted but glad to see this issue is still going the rounds. I just want to ask whether there is any list of potentially affected bagged composts. I have been aware of the issue of contaminated manure but didn't expect problems as I only have a small veg plot and...

I have to say I didn't

So you're clever too OH. Thank you.

As you say - Awwwww - aren't they cute. I want to keep chickens too but haven't got the money to get set up at the moment.

We are coming to Wales on Wednesday for our holiday - west of Brecon Beacons around Llanwrtyd Wells - too far south of you Alan I think. We love Wales

Like Alan - and probably most of us on this site - I too am concerned about animal welfare, but I've always been curious to know what animal rights people do when they are ill or have some form of health emergency. Large numbers of medical drugs have been tested on animals

Peter, I'm impressed already. Never thought to use the 'home' key

I bought mine late, as plants in Homebase's sale. They had 2 lovely fruit - which were duly decimated by blight! Hopefully, it will be better this year.

Good point Smurfy about the advertising. In 14 years of business the only advertising I have ever done has been to attend shows - usually local agricultural shows - and only a selection a year - and to give talks to groups eg WI (I'm a reflexologist). I would say 99% of my business has been built by...

Good luck with that Peter - and yes I will try and remember to check on how you got on.

Looks like a propagator will have to go on a 'wish' list somewhere.

Very good luck to you both - and what a lovely way to celebrate a life changing point. 'Down' times are, in my opinion, good times for starting new ventures. That way the business grows slowly and steadily which makes it more enduring and hardy. Just think of all those seeds we sow too early and try...

I have bought tomato and pepper seeds for the first time - not realising they need heat. Looks like I will have to be creative about that as I only have a plastic greenhouse. Peter - not that I am any expert but I have always grown squash as I was told it was easy - and I have to say I haven't had a...

We have a regular 7 - 10 day holiday at the end of February so I don't tend to start things off until I get back. It's one sure fired way of preventing me from starting too early I do have a few seedlings of turnip, pak choi, mizuna etc sown late autumn which are in my plastic greenhouse. I will pro...

Hi Geoff - I have OpenOffice and hadn't even looked at the draw package. I will try and make time to do so. Thanks for spotting that.

What's one of them

Tropical moments - sounds lovely - like a chocolate bar which only make my power surges worse

Not sure any of this is "good news"

Crumbs - don't say that. I am planning on weighing the yields