What are you planting this year???

[chris25]

Heres one i'm trying this year-



Wild strawberries are as tasty as heaven, but they are not particually abundant in my area, and the birds always seem to get the only patch near by, so i'm smacking a few of these in.

[Nicko]

More raspberries! I took 100 cuttings from my autumn fruiters and most seem to have taken.
Also lots of Black currants.
Plus loads of giant sunflowers for the birds(and chickens). Realised how stupid it is to spend money(and resourses on buying bird food when it can be grown in the garden).
cheers
Nicko

[RenewableCandy]

Welcome Nicko, and more raspberries. We seem to have quite a posse going on the Lincolnshire front now I'd better watch out (see Location) !

Any idea whether chickens will eat un-shelled sunflower seeds, or do you have to shell them first?

[Bedrock Barney]

Go Lincolnshire!.....or whatever the expression is.

Let us take our raspberry canes and thrash the masses until they learn to accept peak oil

[Nicko]

Welcome Nicko, and more raspberries. We seem to have quite a posse going on the Lincolnshire front now I'd better watch out (see Location) !

Any idea whether chickens will eat un-shelled sunflower seeds, or do you have to shell them first?

Ours seem to cope. They break them open first though. Our rescue chick which has been debeaked does struggle.
Cheers
Nicko

[eatyourveg]

First raised bed just completed, 18' x 4.5', chucked in gooseberry, bluberry, and some other fruit bushes.
Almost crippled by the effort and looking forward to the next seven beds ah ah.

[Keela]

First raised bed just completed, 18' x 4.5', chucked in gooseberry, bluberry, and some other fruit bushes.
Almost crippled by the effort and looking forward to the next seven beds ah ah.

Pictures are great... hint hint....

[eatyourveg]

First raised bed just completed, 18' x 4.5', chucked in gooseberry, bluberry, and some other fruit bushes.
Almost crippled by the effort and looking forward to the next seven beds ah ah.

Pictures are great... hint hint....

I have often wondered how to get pictures up on here, do tell...

[hardworkinghippy]

Chris, that strawberry photo is really mouthwatering !!

Greg,

First you have to store your photos on the 'net somewhere.

I use http://www.flickr.com/ because I think it's the best but there are lots of other free places to put your photos, I'm sure the others have their favourites too.

Once your photo is on line you get the URL (http code) for the size you want to post - don't make it too big or it goes off screen and takes all the text on the page with it!

This is the code for a photo :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/209 ... a51079.jpg

Then in your post at the top of the box you'll see (second from the right) Img. Hit that button then copy your URL then hit the button again. to close the code.



If everything goes according to plan, you'll get it first time.

These Artichokes will be ready to eat soon!!

[Nicko]

First raised bed just completed, 18' x 4.5', chucked in gooseberry, bluberry, and some other fruit bushes.
Almost crippled by the effort and looking forward to the next seven beds ah ah.

Hi greg,
Have you tried using a long handled spade?
Like the sort grave diggers used.
They make digging(if that is what is causing the strain) alot easier, removing the need to bend much. I haven't used a 'normal' spade for digging for 5 years now.
We have about 20 beds the size you described. They don't need digging now though, we mulch lots and don't walk on them.
Something I got last year which I use almost every day now is an azada.
It is just the job for cultivating the top few inches of the soil, stripping turf, and loads of other uses. Have a look on the 'Get Digging' site for more info.
Cheers
Nicko

[Keela]

Have a look on the 'Get Digging' site for more info.

This it? http://www.get-digging.co.uk/ Looks a useful tool.

[eatyourveg]

First raised bed just completed, 18' x 4.5', chucked in gooseberry, bluberry, and some other fruit bushes.
Almost crippled by the effort and looking forward to the next seven beds ah ah.

Hi greg,
Have you tried using a long handled spade?
Like the sort grave diggers used.
They make digging(if that is what is causing the strain) alot easier, removing the need to bend much. I haven't used a 'normal' spade for digging for 5 years now.
We have about 20 beds the size you described. They don't need digging now though, we mulch lots and don't walk on them.
Something I got last year which I use almost every day now is an azada.
It is just the job for cultivating the top few inches of the soil, stripping turf, and loads of other uses. Have a look on the 'Get Digging' site for more info.
Cheers
Nicko

Just had a look at the site, I think I have to have one. Thus far I have been telling myself that pain is simply weakness leaving the body, I know, I know, others would just say "Idiot, you have a backache".

Anyway, looks promising, thanks.

And Sally, will get my act together and take some piccies, plus, my Rhino greenhouse arrived yesterday.

[Keela]

And Sally, will get my act together and take some piccies, plus, my Rhino greenhouse arrived yesterday.

Took OH and I 2 days to put ours up.... slow job, but oh so rewarding...

[hardworkinghippy]

My greenhouse roof got smashed up by marble sized hailstones in September and I've had to do without this year.

My Artichokes are ready to eat this week - but I hate cutting them down.

[RenewableCandy]

Big artichokes! I haven't even sewn ours yet! Has anyone else noticed it seems to have stopped raining? Like, forever? Our water-butt has run dry and our 2nd one hasn't even had a look-in.