I;ve put this all around my blueberries - but there is a huge pile of trees in our local park that i;m sure can be put to use. Would xmas tree mulch be ok for say, raspberries, or anything else. Or is there anything that it definitely should not be used for? Many thanks! h.

I still prefer the first format where all the posts went on one site. I use it much less - i can never remember where i saw a thread - they are not always where they should be and some could go in two - or three - by the time i've searched through a couple i give up.

if the bottles aren;t filled completely there is room for any ice to expand.

I have recently converted half my allotment to wooden raised beds and enjoy all their benefits EXCEPT - the slugs and snails and woodlice they harbour. As i enjoy fair amount of wine i am currently making a raised bed from wine bottles as advised by some permaculture friends. Save your bottles and t...

They have it on Amazon in the used copy section - but condition is new - for £11.09 plus 2.75 pp.

Thanks Chantal. The Soil Association's website doesn't seem to actively promote biodyamics - but it does have links to lots of books and courses on it - so they are not quite so dismissive as cider boy. And it was only a few years back that organics was thought of as stuff and nonsense remember!

I am going to give this a go next year. I am convinced by an allotment friend's sprouts. Mine all blown (despite planting in firm ground and whatnot) and his all tight. Apparently his were planted on a fruit day and mine on a flower day. Can anyone recommended a complete fool's guide to this method?...

Red brandywine are my absolute favourites. Huge - deep red throughout and exude a deep red juice. Wasn;t so lucky with the pink brandywine last year though. I always grow both of these in the greenhouse - anyone grown them outdoors with good results??

I've searched the site and can't find an answer to this but apologise in advance if it has already been covered! A fellow allotmenter today told me that comfrey feed looses its goodness after just two weeks. Is this true? I als save a couple of containers through the winter ready to give my sproutin...

I shall definitely try suggestions this year and next. Good job you told me to wait 4 to 6 weeks Johnboy - i am obviously being far too impatient. Thanks. Helen.

Hello Johnboy. It is an Unwins "Autumn Calabrese" - that's what's on the packet... helen

now that i have removed - and consumed - the main head of this summer's calabrese it there anything i can do to encourage side shoots to give me more??? Many thanks. Helen.

Has anyone tried these? After a GQT recommendation i am thinking of splashing out! Are they as good as they say??? Helen.

in reply to arthur, the book implies that "regular watering" is once a week and that plants suffer from more regular "light waterings". I know it is difficult because everything looks lovely when it is sprinkled with water and the soil damp! But i have always understood that is t...

We are allowed to use hosepipes on our allotments and most of us are being very good - either not using them at all or just for a once a week evening watering. some however are being totally selfish and watering willy nilly all day which makes me cross!!! over the weekend i was reading an interestin...