Chooksandroots

LATEST ARTICLES ( 235 )

• First Published Article… On the Plot

  

  My local paper said they might be able to use some of my ramblings, so I sent off the first article last week – and it went in. Rather nice too! Read more

  Posted on 09 February 2012 GARDENING

• Sultry with Spade

  

  I approached my local paper a little while back to see if they could use any of my ramblings – last week they only came back and said, “Yes please”! Read more

  Posted on 02 February 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Sloe Gin – the Sticky End

  

  Well, all that chasing around country lanes in the pursuit of sloe berries was well worth it! We finished up with three bottles of sloe gin and two bottles of... Read more

  Posted on 29 January 2012 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• First Sign of Life

  

  Now that I’ve listed all my seeds, I’m hoping  this year is going to be a bit more technical  than ‘chuck it in, and hope it grows’ . Things will get planted... Read more

  Posted on 23 January 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Wisteria Hysteria

  

  It’ s no understatement to say that our wisteria is the absolute focal point of our garden. We have to keep it a secret for fear of people flocking from far... Read more

  Posted on 22 January 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• RIP Aggie

  

  Yesterday was a sad day. As I went to shut the girls in, I noticed a still, lifeless body in the run. Aggie, our feisty little brown chicken was no more. Read more

  Posted on 18 January 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Rest in Peace Aggie, My Feisty Feathered Friend

  

  Yesterday was a sad day. As I went to shut the girls in, I noticed a still, lifeless body in the run. Aggie, our feisty little brown chicken was no more. Read more

  Posted on 18 January 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Taking the Pea…

  

  I planted my overwintering peas (Douce Provence) in guttering, under cover in September. I know I was early, but if you recall, September was a really wintery,... Read more

  Posted on 15 January 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• To Heat… That is the Answer

  

  After umming and ahhing and weighing up the pros and cons of heating the greenhouse, I’m happy to report that I’m now the proud owner of a Superwarm 4. Read more

  Posted on 14 January 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Releasing My Inner ‘nerd’

  

  I think I may have done it this time. I will wear my ‘nerd’ crown with no shame… If you’ve read my blog in the past, you’ll be aware that I’m a slight fan of th... Read more

  Posted on 05 January 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Minestrone Soup – About 20p a Portion

  

  A quick rummage around in the fridge yesterday produced some veg that needed using up. Too much to throw away, but too little to make a meal, I decided to make... Read more

  Posted on 03 January 2012 FOOD & DRINK, ORGANIC, RECIPES, VEGETARIAN & VEGAN

• To Heat, Or Not to Heat? That is the Question

  

  So, here I am debating whether to heat the greenhouse through the winter, or if the cost of heating it would seriously throw the price of my veg even higher tha... Read more

  Posted on 30 December 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Sprout and Potato Soup: 5p a Portion

  

  In the spirit of growing your own and trying to be a bit more self-sufficient, I’m always on the lookout for ways to make nutritious meals out of next to... Read more

  Posted on 14 December 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Runner Beans Made Easy

  

  Don’t tell him, but I think I’ve found the ideal Christmas present for my father in law. He’s a bit strapped for space in his garden, but LOVES runner beans.So ... Read more

  Posted on 12 December 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• 3 Cunning Plans to Elude the Carrot Fly

  

  I’ve never really had much luck with carrots. The first year I planted them in the roots bed, but they were annihilated by carrot flies. Read more

  Posted on 30 November 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• The Belly Dancing Chicken Whisperer

  

  When you find yourself standing in the garden, in full belly dancing gear (plus wellies), holding Winnie the chicken, you know you have either been a good egg t... Read more

  Posted on 22 November 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• G Day is Finally Here

  

  After all the hard work landscaping the garden (alright, not by me, personally – I had help!), and all the saving up pennies throughout the summer, my new... Read more

  Posted on 07 November 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• A Veritable Glut of Tomatoes

  

  A colleague told me a story that I just had to share, and it does fit in rather well with bonfire night. She popped off down her garden to top up the compost... Read more

  Posted on 30 October 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Bring on the Greenhouse!

  

  The preparations for ‘Operation Greenhouse’ skidded to a final flurry of actvity. Our ‘man what can’ got the base finished, the raised bed in and barrowed all... Read more

  Posted on 28 October 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Greenhouse Base is Down

  

  The garden is really coming along now, and with any luck it will be ‘fait accomplis’ by the end of the week. Our man’s coming back tomorrow, but so far he’s... Read more

  Posted on 12 October 2011 GARDENING, HOME