Chris Bond

So we planted 60 tulip bulb pots out and put them in our shed for the winter to keep the worst of the frost off them.  Knowing that they are loved by rodents we put them on a table top balanced on top of a water butt, the idea being that it would work like the old fashioned wooden mushrooms. Went in today and they have been massacred by something, not sure how whatever got up there but they sure had a good time.
Before we replant the bulbs we have left any ideas how to keep them safe? They are in pots to be given away as wedding favours so planting them in the ground isn't an option, neither is waiting for next year, though know we as really up against it timewise now.
Thanks for any help 😁

I'm moving to a new property in the summer in the UK and there is a dual carriageway at the end of the garden - it's about an acre so not close to the house and there is good tree coverage in the summer. However all the trees lose their leaves in the winter and te road is back in sight. Any tips of which trees to grow in the south of England to that will grow quickly, be evergreen and potentially also be useful as a wildlife habitat and/or edible.

My first thought was to plant some Rosemary as it is easy to grow and useful, but I'm sure you guys will be able to offer alternative/better/more diverse options!

Thanks in advance

How old should the manure be before using it on the garden? I have access to as much as I want fresh from the stables, but does it need to be left to rot down for some time before using as either a top dressing or mulch?

Bill Erickson wrote:.

Chris, I have a question about your reason for going this route - why do you believe that the neighbor's fence would go up in smoke if you put the exhaust for an RMH there? A properly setup RMH should have an exhaust temp that could lead to drying, but not incineration. At least that is what all my research has led me to believe - especially with the videos that show folks putting their faces into the exhaust without ill effect.

Bill - it isn't the exhaust that will be next to the fence, it is the oildrum, having now seen the temperatures this will get to if the system is working well having it next to a wooden fence maybe isn't that bright!

After looking at a RMH I realised that where I wanted to bulid it might cause problems with the neighbours - namely that the wooden fence between us would likely go up in smoke! So looking at how to make the most of a more conventional stove at a much reduced cost. I have access to a livery yard that has about 50 horses and obviously a lot of waste that they have to pay to dispose of. I can use some on the garden, but was thinking that it is basically just recycled grass so should burn if dried. Does anyone have any experience of using what gets mucked out of stables for fuel? My thought would be to dampen it, compress it into 'logs' and leave it to dry before burning. Thoughts?

OK - so I bought some soapnuts after reading this thread and I have to say I'm very impressed. The other half was very sceptical but when she emptied the washing machine last time she said that the clothes smelled 'clean' - and as this was a load of my running gear that I'd worn for an ultra marathon in warm weather (8+ hours of running) I call that a success. So it's all god for lasundry, I just put a handful of nuts in a bag in the wash, but next I'm going to make some 'tea' and see what else it works for - from research pretty much anything, will le tyou now how I get on with kitchen cleaning, body washing, shampoo - any other ideas?

So I've had some more progress in the planning department, but will have to take some pictures and do some serious pruning before putting my plans into action! And I'm also working my way through The Book, really good read so far and full of essential information. Think I can do a full RMH to give me a lovely warm place to sit in the cooler evenings so can still cook outdoors, with mass already in place though probaby not ideal, that's why I need the pictures for your input! Also need to get scrounging for the parts, mainly the exhaust pipe and barrel, most of the rest I either have or can get my hands on easily. I'll keep updating as I progress...

So I'm new, but have 'the book' on order hopefully delivered soon so I'll be a bit more up with what the terminology etc is.

I'm looking at moving into a fairly derelict farmhouse and think getting the central kitchen area heated with a rocket stove, and most of the rest of the house if it works as well as I would like! However, I'm nervous about it having had no experience fo it before, so my question for now is have people built them for outdoor use? Where I live currently is lovelt in the evenings until about 7pm when the sun goes from the garden, could I install a rocket stove to provide heated seating and also be able to cook on it barbecue style? Seems possible but wanted to know of anyone with experience of this. Also seems a good dry run where the finish can be a bit less tidy and mistakes won't demilish a newly bought house!

thanks in advance