Selfsufficientish.com

Well, most of my posting used to be at lunchtime (ish) at work , then they blocked all forums, then my "role got expanded" which is weazel words for you're now running the whole department but on the same pay, so basically never have time to think, let alone get a lunch break. Still once t...

Well at least you got your items on this year!. Good to see you mate, and looks like you might get a second showing once the beer is brewed!.

Still could do with a spot on the main show pre-recorded to make sure it doesn't get cut!.


PS where did you get that hat!.

Just seen Andy on the telly so I thought I'd log on, been a while but all the best 3M!

It was a nice suprise to see you on the telly Andy. MOH didn't know what I was blithering on about as I shouted at the box. The guy I share an office with (who isn't an Issher and therefore neutral) , said he was disappointed with the "Idiot with long hair and glasses that he pushes up and down...

Kilner jars are great, I have used my rubber seals for years I just put them in boiling water to sterilise. To release once you want to reopen them the first time you pull on the rubber tab at the side, it usually works. If not reheat. One thing to note if making any vinegar based preserve, and reus...

Broad bean pasta Not only cheap, but, quick, very tastey and incredibly healthy and good for you!. 2 people Pan of unsalted water on the boil Slice of bread covered in milk soaking approx 500g podded broad beans (frozen or fresh) 2tblsp mint leaves 250g pasta (falafella type) clove garlic skinned sa...

"Normally" I would throw a home made fleece closh over them. But I think the mild winters have made me a bit over confident. So yes all mine have been obliterated by the 1 in 30 year cold we've had in the N.E. However I'm leaving them in in the hope that the root is still OK and it might t...

Raised beds are great. Our plots flood, and my raised beds are the only ones that don't suffer. They also heat up quichker, and a grater variety of plants can be grown as many things will tolerate cold, but not water logged soil and cold. I double dug underneather and put in leaf mould , then build ...

I agree, you might loose some, but I don't know where to, and in the grand scheme it'll not be much. On the other hand burning "green" stuff is likely to p**s off more people as you will create lots of smoke. We have to be very careful as there is an old folks home to the south (They leave...

It's not too late to build raised beds. This is especially a good idea if as you say it's a damp garden, as most things will tolerate cold, but not wet and cold. I am about to do my last round of raised beds , but the way I'm doing it is to double dig the earth before putting the bed on top, it help...

I have long thought about this. A couple of things. A small radiator painted black would suffice. (I have two in the garage awaiting time!.) However the principal used in these gravity systems is based on hot water rising, cold water sinking. Basically you need to put the solar collector below your ...

Well this winter is going to be the ultimate fennel test. THe high winds a few weeks ago broke several fronds , but the bulbs had started to re-sprout. We've had permafrost and snow since last Thursday, and on Saturday they had wilted due to lack of available water. This morning it was -8'C and free...

I'm planning to do a starter this xmas, when I have some time. I do large batches of bread and freeze so I probably only bake once a month, enough for the whole month. I use a part ferment part yeast technique as per Richard Bertinet's Pain de Champaign. I take 200g of dough and leave in the fridge,...

Your not supposed to plant alliums with legumes because the legume is a provider of nitrogen. Too much nitrogen with alliums will encourage them to put on green growth (and bolt) at the expense of bulb development. It's also why you shouldn't put a lot of fertilser/muck onto alliums . If you have we...

I'm growing some in sunny Darlo (So you should be OK Russ) at the moment, it is definitely very hit and miss. However a couple of tips. My early sowings this year to a man bolted because of the early dry spell we had. I removed most of these, but some i cut and left the root in. These have re sprout...