http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ Farming Friends Forum: Forum: Gardening - Recent Posts en Wed, 22 May 2013 10:28:56 +0000 http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5144#post-23354 Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:34:51 +0000 foreverfarm 23354@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>I am planning on planting an organic vegetable garden this spring. Any advise will be greatly appreciated!!! Never planted on before. Thx </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2651#post-16629 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:17:44 +0000 quacking minx 16629@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>yes I was thinking of it also as I had a fight with my ducks over my pea/carrot/strawberry/watermelon patch hehe little tinkers </p> <p>it is strange as Daffy has never ever been interested in our veg patch unless we are digging within it she never bothered eating anything other then worms slugs frogs woodlice and general grubs so we never knew that ducks actually ate them lol</p> <p>this year totally diff the wild ones and my 4 white duckies and also lucky love fruit and veg and eat everything haha </p> <p>I'm tempted to build a slight higher wall so they can't jump it (sort of sloping patch) I wanted to keep it looking as natural as poss but if need be I will use mesh as campbell says </p> <p>I will try raising the beds first though (I will keep looking bk here for other ideas though hehe) </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2651#post-16627 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:19:31 +0000 campbell ridge 16627@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Steve made some frames from 2.4m battening for our duckling pen covered with galvanised netting and you can link them together with wire or in our case we hinged them. They are now in use around our veggie beds. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2651#post-16626 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:10:31 +0000 admin 16626@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi All,<br /> I am thinking of making an enclosure for my veg garden so that the ducks don't eat the veg, any ideas?<br /> Mo has already given me the idea of using fruit cages.<br /> kind regards<br /> sara @ farmingfriends </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1901#post-14649 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:10:42 +0000 quacking minx 14649@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>oh my thanks for that, we were just talking about what we could use to get rid of this horrible weed and I spot this I'm going to order some as it is taking over and I don't want my goats eating it by mistake </p> <p>I was going to use that round up but I might try this instead, does anyone know if it kills everything that you put it on or does it just kill the weeds? I will obviously wait till all my crops have been taken before using it but I was wondering if I used it on a lawn would it kill the grass? or if flowers are near the horsetail and get sprayed would they die? </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1131#post-14631 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 21:41:17 +0000 Mama 14631@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Thanks Marybe, they are fruiting now so shall try this. They don't seed here on there own sadly . We and the birds love the fruit !<br /> Mama </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1358#post-14630 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 21:37:59 +0000 Mama 14630@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Well I have never heard of this way of growing seeds . Well done and am sure we all have learnt from this tip. I guess you filled the shells with compost .? Mama </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1358#post-14626 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 21:17:56 +0000 campbell ridge 14626@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>you can also crush up the eggs shells and spread them around to thwart the snails and slugs. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1358#post-14625 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 21:07:36 +0000 marybe 14625@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>I just got some mini polytunnels on sale because seed starting time around here is past, can't wait to try them out next spring. But I did try a neat trick this year for seedlings; used half egg shells and the egg cartons for holding them. It worked great. My husband thought I was nuts for saving so many egg shell last winter, but even he was surprised how well it worked. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1131#post-14623 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 21:02:27 +0000 marybe 14623@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>I have several Mulberry trees, and have more coming up every year in places I don't want. They are coming up from seeds that I think the birds are helping to plant. So seeds should be the way to go. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1131#post-13820 Sat, 21 May 2011 12:00:22 +0000 Mama 13820@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Thanks Jvr for the interesting info . Mama . </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1131#post-13806 Fri, 20 May 2011 22:18:50 +0000 jvr 13806@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Young growth on Nigra can be container layered in a well draining medium aided with clonex 'red' on the stems. If there is any way that the soil temp can be kept above about 72F then approx. 20pc will strike. It is absolutely imperative to devise a method of potting on from layering with minimum root disturbance... v. sensitive and fragile. Hope this helps. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1901#post-13478 Mon, 09 May 2011 19:38:12 +0000 Mama 13478@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Oh thanks Gary, shall order some of this a dream come true . So glad you posted and hope the allotment does you proud .Mama </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1901#post-13476 Mon, 09 May 2011 18:03:09 +0000 gazzaroo 13476@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>hi guys,,,must tell you the this kurtaill weed killer is killing of the horsetail,,,it all gone really black its all bent over and some of the little ones have gone,,,woop woop man kind can kill horsetail..i mite just win this and reclaim my allotment from this weed.. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1583#post-13373 Wed, 04 May 2011 21:14:44 +0000 gazzaroo 13373@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>ooops try this one...my garden<br /> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1219374931&#38;sk=photos" rel="nofollow">http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1219374931&#38;sk=photos</a> </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1583#post-13337 Wed, 04 May 2011 10:18:29 +0000 Mama 13337@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Gary, the link doesn't work for me. Only brings up the FB page not your pics ? Mama </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1583#post-13335 Wed, 04 May 2011 09:26:10 +0000 pinkpoultry 13335@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Oh to have land, the dreams!!! :o) Good luck you guys!! </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1583#post-13321 Tue, 03 May 2011 19:41:18 +0000 gazzaroo 13321@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>hi sheppard.last year i took an allotment on it was and old unused one weeds up to waste,no fens no newt just weeds,so i got started with some help from my son and dad, we have made pollytunnels got second hand greenhouses and a lot of wood to make the veg beds. soon after starting we took on the plot next door. so we now have 30f by 100f plot ..we have hens and duck ..it the best thing we did..can you see my pic.s on my facebook if you like,,</p> <p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.facebook.com/home.php</a> </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1583#post-13318 Tue, 03 May 2011 18:49:29 +0000 Sheppard 13318@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hello again peeps, just to let you know im still around and havent been beaten by the extreme brambles yet!!!!!! Since last post ive been busy making an access point to my little plot, also got a good chunk of it covered in heavy duty black polythene to help sweat down some of the weeds ready for digging over, ive managed to get my hands on 30 x 8ft post to make a start on a fence thats needed down 1 side and a greenhouse is to be collected this weekend thats been donated to the cause!! Also ive collected lots of other wood/slabs and bricks and a 1000ltr ibc i will be using for water storage, had a nice fire aswell to dispose of alot of the branches and old growth thats piling up. so far my outlay is £0.00 which is great as i intend to do this without spending a penny!!!!! Next time i post i will try and add some pics so you can get a better picture of what im trying to do.<br /> laters<br /> Sheppard.. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1901#post-13238 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 14:12:43 +0000 Mama 13238@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Looks a brilliant product Gary, Never heard of it before so do let us know the results . Mama </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1901#post-13204 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:04:03 +0000 gazzaroo 13204@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>iv got loads of this horse tail on the allotment ..iv seen this on you tube so iv ordered some has any used this stuff</p> <p> <a href="http://www.progreen.co.uk/Weed-Killers/Total-Weed-Killers/Kurtail-0-5LTS/prod_2.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.progreen.co.uk/Weed-Killers/Total-Weed-Killers/Kurtail-0-5LTS/prod_2.html</a><br /> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-9Ph4blS0I" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-9Ph4blS0I</a> this is were iv seen it </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1583#post-12256 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:42:15 +0000 admin 12256@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Shepphard, don't know if I have welcomed you to the forum yet so welcome if not!<br /> Congrats on getting your land.<br /> You could keep pigs on the land once you have cleared it of anything dangerous as Mo says and any plants poisonous to pigs. the pigs would soon clear the land and fertilise the land too. You could get some weaners to fatten up if you are happy doing this. Some find it hard to take the pigs to slaughter when they are fattened up, so it depends how you feel about this, you could get some young gilts and let them grow on and then eventually you could breed from them. They would need shelter, a tin arc and straw bales, supply of water, a wallowing hole.<br /> You would need good fencing for pigs, although they can be trained to stay within an electric fence which could be run off a battery.<br /> Just an idea.<br /> Good luck with your smallholding.<br /> Kind regards<br /> Sara @ farmingfriends </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1583#post-12252 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:46:36 +0000 m40mo 12252@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>sounds good to me, don't through the rubble away it will make for good drainage in your raised beds and save on compost<br /> you might find this forum good to, Sally who runs it is also a member on here<br /> <a href="http://topveg.com/forums/" rel="nofollow">http://topveg.com/forums/</a> </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1583#post-12242 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:08:20 +0000 Sheppard 12242@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>The tractor tyres are a great idea that i hadnt thought of, i do have access to some square folding crates made form wood that you can stack to any height you like but this is a good chunk of land so it will take alot off raised beds, the more i put in the better as far as im concerned, ive decided to go with some livestock and mainly grow fruit as the father inlaw has an allotment and supplies plenty of veg so we can start to swap produce. i had a spare couple of hours today so went and made a start, the land backs onto a newly built housing estate and it seems all the rubble and waste from the site was thrown over onto my piece of field on completion so im gathering up lots of bricks and chunks of cement but it only seems to be on the surface and the soil underneath seems good quility, ive been told by a local that a guy kept goats-pigs and chickens on there in the past and ive uncovered part of a brick built pig house so happy days!!!! </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1583#post-12229 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:25:53 +0000 pinkpoultry 12229@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>I cannot stress enough the importance of a strong safe perimiter fence. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1583#post-12224 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 07:23:29 +0000 m40mo 12224@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>pictures will be good, like a photo diary, you will need very good security fencing you dont want animal visitors, sure you already know about protecting the chickens but do you have deer near you, as lovely as they are they will eat your veggis,<br /> the flame throwers are very good, I have used one before and once you get a goat or 2 on there they will clear anything else for you<br /> not sure how you are going to build you raised beds but tractor tyres are excellent for this, maybe you could get some for free from a local farmer, or lorry tyres even,<br /> looking forward to following your adventure with you </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1583#post-12221 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:03:06 +0000 Sheppard 12221@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Mmmm not sure about setting it on fire!!!! although the flame thrower option sounds like fun, Think im going to install the large chicken run and goat pen then install raised beds for the vegtables and fruit i plan to grow then all i would really need to do is level off the pathways inbetween the pens and beds!!! saves clearing it all and the raised beds should make it easier on the back!!! i also need to build a perimeter fence as 2 sides of it border woods were anyone can roam so its going to be a busy few month although i cant wait to get going. i will be attempting to build this small holding with a budget of £0.00 i intend to pay for livestock and seeds only, i will chart my progress as i go along, maybe even supply some pictures to show what im upto along the way.</p> <p>watch this space<br /> sheppard </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1583#post-12213 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:50:00 +0000 Mama 12213@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Well done on finding your piece of land .We found the best way to clear bramble was to strim it, horrid job it wraps around you . Then let it shoot which it will be doing soon and then use round up to kill it .We then set fire to the remaing dead growth.Another option is to hire a flame thrower , you only need to scorch the leaves to kill most weed . Physically it is easier in sections as you will then be able to plant a few things once cleared . If you can get hold of a rotavator it saves your back !!Good luck Mama </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1583#post-12212 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:43:52 +0000 m40mo 12212@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>it depends what you want from the land really, is it to grow veg or keep animals, if animals many will help to clear it for you once you have removed anything dangerous to them </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1583#post-12210 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:40:49 +0000 Sheppard 12210@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hello again, well since joining the forum last week im happy to say ive managed to get my hands on a nice piece of land around 1/4 of an acre situated a stones throw from my house. So now the hard work begins, firstly i need to clear the site, access is a problem so no heavy machinery!! im thinking of doing it section by section over the year with the hope of it being useable next year, can anybody reccomend the best way to clear the site, it is very overgrown with lots of brambles , small stumps lots of bricks etc etc. should i spray it? cover it? any views would be much appreciated at this stage.</p> <p>regards<br /> sheppard </p>