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I watched GW last night and Jo Swift managed not only to get his hands on an immediate allotment but he also had a choice of sites and, 3 months after choosing, the original one he turned down, was still available. Now what does that say about waiting lists in London? I keep hearing that there is a ...

I always earth up so that only the top tiers and leaves are showing. I don't tink it really matters if it's too high. They will just keep growing though.

I feel knackered just reading it!

Saliva of grazing animals. I first heard this on "How to be a gardener" but later read it when I was reading a book on the structure of grasses - yes I know I am a complete bore! Grass regrows from the sides not the top so the more you cut it the more it thickens. There are enzymes in the ...

As someone who has suffered from fox attacks I would say that 1. That is not a fox track (for the same reasons as stated before) but it looks too big to be a terrier (unless large terrier breed). 2. Foxes do not shake their kills. They bite the heads straight off, all other wouNds are caused by the ...

we cut our nettles back and put them straight in the water butt.

try www.practicalpoultry.co.uk and go onto the forum. They have offers and wants there from all over the country in a seperate section.

Because I grow organically, I try to grow everything from seed indoors/in greenhouse/under cover until things are big and strong enough to not be totalled by a slugs first bite and have built up a little resistance too. I have had so many seed failures sown directly in the ground over the years that...

Gardener's World - Monty Don. Spot on too! They did a trial and the results were pretty telling. As a result I didn'rt chit my mains last year and got as good a crop as I have ever done.

Went to an organic seminar a couple of yaers ago and was told that all manure is technically organic after sitting for a few months because the heat kills all additives in it. Now I don't know how true this is but I have heard it said over and over again. Manure is great anyway so just go for it. In...

If you don't turn it and leave it what would normally happen is you would lift the top 1/3 off and place on the bottom to start the new pile and use the 2/3's underneath which should be ready as compost. It will break down quicker though if it's regularly turned and ten should all be ready at the sa...

I have a problem with seagulls stealing my girls food. I use a feeder but we have built a low day shelter and place the food under there. It keeps it dry and keeps the gulls off it too. My girls have a huge garden area to free range in but they are ex-batts and have a voracious appetite. They have e...

Welcome to the group! If your plot has grass growing thick and well and possibly nettles then the ground is probably really fertile and the soil should be good. If the ground is flat you could hire a turf stripper which will remove all your grass in one day!! If you lay the turves in a cleat and cov...

You need to check with your council over what they allow, but generally fences are not allowed around allotments (insurance reasons) and so it is unlikely that you would be allowed to keep lambs on there. Also the saliva of grazing animals stimulates grass regrowth so it may be a futile exercise in ...

What about investing in asparagus - just the right time of year for planting, Start to harvest in 2 years but well worth the investment. Also Jerusalem artichokes, potatoes and beetroot need little attention. Other than watering in most outdoor crops do not need regular water (see no water challenge...