whole coffee beans to mulch! That's a bit excessive and expensive! Says something to me about these show gardens.

Agree. Jane

Johnboy - do you use raised beds or garden on the flat or a mixture? I sow potatoes on the flat and ridge, beans on the flat and other things in raised beds, at moment just without boards. I found weeds more of a problem round the edges than slugs.I've been making raised beds for a disabled friend w...

Don't look at anything underground while the ground is cold or frosted. It just takes cold air down to the roots. If it isn't all right, you can't do much about it at the moment. If it hasn't appeared by February plant some more. Garlic needs a cold spell. I've forgotten the word for plants needing ...

We did much the same thing. They don't take long to take advantage! My worst experience was one day going to feed my pigs. I had been meaning to get an old dustbin to keep the feed in, but with all the clearing up for winter etc I hadn't got round to it. I went into the barn and the feed bag literal...

Sounds nice - just like here in forgotten Leics! We have lots of birds of different sorts - just few sparrows.

snow here in rural leics yesterday but just a sprinkling - the city barely had any. I don't think the frost came early, but it has been persistant. We've had field fares in the hedgerows and yesterday they were pinching holly berries so fast that i thought they'd clear the bush.Does anyone get sparr...

I have 2 GOS gilt pigs - 6/7 months old. We're deciding whether to slaughter or breed from them. They've done a wonderful job clearing ground, but have to be inside now because of the weather and conditions. I have an outlet for pork if we bred from them, and also more land and pigsties with piglet ...

Well there are nearly 100 registered users, many familiar names, some new. There's been a party, a good exchange of views on GM, banter, some serious gardening help, help to each other on getting to know the new forum - all fairly instantaneous, all stimulating and entertaining. What's changed? Just...