The Garden Smallholder

LATEST ARTICLES ( 197 )

• Bringing the Outside In

  

  I’ve really enjoyed decorating the house for the festive holiday, the lingering scent of a fresh tree sets the mood for me. There’s something special about fres... Read more

  Posted on 16 December 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• Chicken Colds – Mycoplasma

  

  Bubbles can clearly be seen in the corner of the eye, a symptom of mycoplasma respiratory infection in chickens. Note the slight facial swelling. Photo... Read more

  Posted on 07 December 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• Make a Yule Vase Arrangement

  

  Yesterday I made a Yule vase arrangement using things I’d collected from the garden. I used bare twigs and small pieces of Fir and Spruce branches, I applied... Read more

  Posted on 05 December 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• Garlic Planting

  

  End of the year preparations are almost finished at the allotment, just a couple more beds to weed and lightly dig over and plot 4 will be ready to rest over... Read more

  Posted on 02 December 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• Feathering Up for Winter

  

  The new rescue hens are growing their new feathers, just in time for the cold winter months. I guess this is a good excuse to reveal how they’re looking now. Read more

  Posted on 28 November 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• Beetroot ‘Burpees Golden’

  

  I had a wonderful crop of beetroot this year, my usual ’Boltardy’ and an orange variety called ‘Burpees Golden’. The attractive orange roots look wonderful grow... Read more

  Posted on 17 November 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• A Welcome Visitor on Remembrance Sunday

  

  Today was beautiful, a welcome break from wet and windy weather that seems to be hanging around. We visited the allotment to harvest the remainder of the beets... Read more

  Posted on 10 November 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• Winter Flowering Pansies to the Rescue

  

  I decided to give the stone urn planters at the front of our property a much-needed makeover, full of weeds they looked sad and neglected. Unloved. Weedy stone... Read more

  Posted on 08 November 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• Greek Gigantes Beans

  

  Back in May I blogged about having a go at growing a type of rare runner bean called Greek Gigantes. You can view the post here:... Read more

  Posted on 07 November 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• The Allotment Planner Book Review

  

  Recently I was asked if I would like to review a book, The Allotment Planner by author Matthew Appleby. I already have a couple of allotment planner style... Read more

  Posted on 04 November 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• A Walk Before the Storm

  

  We visited one of our favourite places to walk yesterday, a chance to give our dog a good run and sniffing adventure before the anticipated storm arrived to... Read more

  Posted on 28 October 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• Harvesting the Carrots

  

  This year I grew carrot varieties that I’ve never tried before. After looking at so many tempting choices, I settled on a main crop variety called ‘Flakkee’... Read more

  Posted on 25 October 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• Peas in October?

  

  I intended to do this post in July. Family and pet loss forced blogging out of the window for a while, along with all sense of time. Read more

  Posted on 22 October 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• Fairytale Pumpkins

  

  I love growing pumpkins for many reasons but harvest time has to be the best - certain pumpkins remind me of Cinderella carriages and I’m almost sad at having t... Read more

  Posted on 21 October 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• Pecking Apples

  

  The apple trees in the orchard are feeling the strain from the weight of fruit on their branches, I guess it’s time to stock the larder cupboard. Read more

  Posted on 07 October 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• Book Review – Once Upon a Flock

  

  I was kindly asked by Kew Publicity to review Once Upon a Flock by acclaimed illustrator and author Lauren Scheuer, I was especially excited to receive this boo... Read more

  Posted on 03 October 2013 GARDENING, HOME

• Our Very Own Orchard

  

  Chilly evenings and dewy mornings, my favourite time of year is fast approaching. The mature fruit trees in our garden were planted many years ago in rows,... Read more

  Posted on 18 September 2013 GARDENING, HOME