Here in South Cheshire they run in large numbers from the maize fields at silage time, so become a problem where-ever they find another residence. Our Council operate a free service so that is what I take advantage of, but if you want some sport, find someone with some terriers, poke the exhaust of ...

Pure breeds are v nice, but not efficient as egg producers, the same reasons against bantams. The best birds I have tried recently are Black Rocks. I'm against ex battery birds, v nice to think of rescueing them, but from a purely commercial view again, not efficient , why are they being got rid of ...

Someone on another forum puts black poly down, then after a while lifts it up & scrapes the blighters off, might try it as well as pellets

I just scatter slug pellets every couple of weeks or so all over the plot, even in mild spells in winter, seems to do the job, keeps the blighters down

I have a sewage plant (not a septic tank or Cesspit) to my house & it used to be the local farmer could empty it occasionally & spread it on his field. This only cost a bottle or so at Christmas, but now we have to have a discharge cert or something & who knows where it goes at a cost of...

You shouldn't poke a sleeping Tiger ! Defra is best left sleeping, but I suppose it can't even do that right. I can remember when it was called the "War Ag" it was no better then, making us plough everything in sight.

Thanks for info Realfood, two for the price of one !

Thanks Realfood, will try it. What will happen to the half ripe fruit & flower buds ?

I've had a good crop to date from mine, but notice there are numerous green fruits & flower buds which will find it hard to make it. I suspect these canes are bred for warmer climes. I wonder if I left them until next year, instead of cutting them to ground as advised, if they would mature ?

Many years ago I used to chemically caponise cockerels by inserting a small pellet in the loose neck skin, but I think it is not done any more, a pity, as that would take the sting out of him. I used to rear Cobb cocks to I think about 16-18 weeks & my record was 16 lbs dressed weight.

Hi JB,

The prob is not in the blanching, the outer stalks are green on the outside but the centre (of the outer stalks) are brown. I am able to use the inner stalks by boiling & using as a veg, but too tough to eat raw.

Yes, it's ok when boiled but outside leaves no use

First time of growing celery, it's very tough & stringy, & all the outer stalks are brown in the centre. I grew a full row so can salvage enough for a few feeds. Any ideas please ?

JB

Do you use the mesh or the butterfly nets ?

These meshes are so expensive. I like to grow veg, but my main reason is to help the weekly budget, using these meshes defeats the object, how is it justified ? I only grow spring cabbage, I have just planted mine out now that the butterflies have gone, & I stand to get a crop in spring before t...