Emma Carver-Barrass

I think some people miss identify carpenter bees. They are solitary creatures and do not swarm. They don't have singers and are very docile.

Hi. I make these, now and again. I find using heat in some way will settle the issue. I generally iron over them with a hot iron, but with a cloth in between. You can hang them on a string in front of, or above your wood burner, or lay on trays in the oven. It generally sorts itself out. You can wash/dip them in hot water and hang in the sun, or as any suggestions above. They'll last a very long time.

This book is not free. You can't download it, until you've paid them something. Very disappointing.

Hi there, my twopenneth?
I appreciate that we baby our beloved plants along and want to give them 100% chance of growing, but my approach is now to sow more than I need directly where I want them to grow. They are stratified by nature. Interestingly, hawthorn eg generally needs a 2 yrs cycle, so patience required. I have had some success freezing the seeds, bringing them out to warm up and freezing again, but I'm a bit scatterbrained and often lose them in the freezer, or forget which is which (no. I've never heard of pen and paper. What's that? 🙈) Plants that are difficult to get rid of eg nettles, don't need any help. Just sow the seeds and protect, transplant a few clumps and let them self sow. I do think we sometimes make life more difficult than it needs to be. Having said that, I'm in northern Europe, which possibly presents less problems for me. You guys are maybe in the US and Canada? so you are the experts in your areas. Blueberries grow easily here. Though I prefer the original wild ones, or Bilberries as we call them here. Scotland gets the coldest temperatures usually and they grow there in the worst conditions. As for trees, notwithstanding that some are easier to grow than others, the forestry commission puts seeds in plastic bags of damp sand, which are overwintered outside in critter proof places. Nature then does what she does best. I appreciate it's probably harder for you.

I make bone broth absolutely plain, before canning, so my pets can benefit from it as well. I might use a little ACV when preparing and always leave the fat in it. I keep lots of fresh garlic whizzed up in melted butter, or coconut oil in the freezer, so when I'm ready to drink some broth myself, I put salt, pepper and a cube of garlic in it. This is especially good in winter chill season. Depending upon what ails me, I might add cayenne or ginger. It always gets me back on track. Otherwise it goes in stews and soups. And pet's bellies.

Most of these 'home made vinegars' are simply flavoured vinegars. I'd like to see how people actually make vinegar in the first place. The only one I make myself is APC. If live to know how to make black vinegar, or balsamic vinegar. Anyone know how?

Hi Jane, congratulations on your decision for your future. There are many, very, experienced people here to give you valuable information about tools. Buckets! I love buckets! But one thing that stands out to me loud and clear, is the fact that you will not be living there for a few years yet, and all tools that were there originally have been taken. What about your new ones? Top of my list would be very good security for anything I bought.
I'm English, moved to France 2 1/2yrs ago with the same dream (still looking for bigger acreage) I was 73 when I came, so you've got more time on your side 😆. I suffered a lot from theft and damage before and after transition, in the empty place, so for me security would be number one. Perhaps you have an outbuilding you can make your stronghold? Now that your neighbors know you have taken ownership, they might keep an eye on it for you. Sorry to bring gloom to your story, but I wouldn't like anyone to have my experience. Good luck. Isn't it exciting?
PS see if you can find a second hand Excalibur dehydrator in the meantime. Start collecting preserving jars and buy yourself a presto canner. The bigger one! You won't regret it.

Mullein has a very deep tap root that will bring benefits to the soil. Try pulling one up!
I grow it for its medicinal properties as well as it's value to the garden. The flowers appear in the second year and look magnificent. They take very little nutrition from the soil, improving it, and will do very well on 'useless' ground. There's a bee (forget the name) that builds it's nest with the soft hairs from the leaves. Smokers can smoke it to ease coughs and bring up sputum.

I don't know much about your variety, but I know giant bamboo, some of which I'm trying to germinate, only flower once in 75yrs. The solution for any of us trying to grow it, is to plant fresh every year, or 5 yrs eg.