Search found 9 matches

by Toptaff
Sun Feb 24, 2019 11:17 am
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: New patch.
Replies: 11
Views: 8852

Re: New patch.

It you've rotavated any nettle root's in accidentally be prepared to have a whole new batch of them sprouting when the soil warms up! They're blighters to totally eliminate. No, I dug the patch over ,several times - before doing the rotavating. I have no doubt that I didn't get out every single pie...
by Toptaff
Wed Feb 20, 2019 2:33 pm
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: New patch.
Replies: 11
Views: 8852

Re: New patch.

The new patch is complete at last! It's been edged and mulched.
A bean trench has been dug and Nemaslug has been ordered.
There are seeds germinating in the potting shed,so I'm keeping everything crossed for success later in the year.
by Toptaff
Fri Jan 11, 2019 7:57 pm
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: New patch.
Replies: 11
Views: 8852

Re: New patch.

That's a really helpful tip Monika --thank you!
by Toptaff
Fri Jan 11, 2019 6:28 pm
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: New patch.
Replies: 11
Views: 8852

New patch.

I've started to make a new veg patch. I've weeded (oh! those beastly nettle roots! ) and rotovated to break it up.I've turned in some good farmyard manure and decided where my bean trench will be. My question is - should I cover it with cardboard/membrane/ bark or similar until I'm ready to start pl...
by Toptaff
Tue Nov 13, 2018 4:45 pm
Forum: Birds, Animals and Livestock
Topic: Squirrels
Replies: 1
Views: 4490

Squirrels

I was recently given a "squirrel proof" nut feeder for the wild birds.

As you can see,the idea is good but a long way from perfect! :lol:
by Toptaff
Sat Oct 27, 2018 4:08 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: New kids on the block - New birds in the flock
Replies: 196
Views: 58372

Re: New kids on the block - New birds in the flock

Duck eggs are fantastic in cake making!
by Toptaff
Tue Aug 07, 2018 4:01 pm
Forum: Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Topic: Solomons seal sawfly
Replies: 7
Views: 7411

Re: Solomons seal sawfly

I tried scooping the off but there were so many!!!
I gathered quite a few(which was very fiddly) and proffered them to my chickens,who were singularly unimpmressed,which was disappointing!
Maybe next year I'll try washing them off with soapy water and then squishing them.
by Toptaff
Mon Aug 06, 2018 5:25 pm
Forum: Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Topic: Solomons seal sawfly
Replies: 7
Views: 7411

Solomons seal sawfly

Is there any way of eradicating Solomons Seal sawfly when they're overwintering? Some of mine got decimated by the grey wrigglers. I picked off as many of the caterpillars as I could but they still stripped some of my clumps bare. I don't like to use sprays when the caterpillars are there cos they'r...
by Toptaff
Thu Mar 09, 2017 3:39 pm
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Green manure
Replies: 8
Views: 3761

Re: Green manure

I usually chop up green manure with shears before digging it in. I find this speeds up the rotting down process quite a lot.
I reckon on planting about a week after I've dug it in.
Previously,when I hadn't chopped it up it seemed to take ages to incorporate & rot down.