The Doorstep Allotment

Whilst getting my haircut the other day (yes I still have some worthy of cutting) I got chatting with the barber (well she's a skilled hairdresser actually, it's just her skill would be wasted on my 'scratch and go' style hair cut). We were talking about growing veg in containers on the patio... so here's …

Plant Listings – RHS Plant Finders

As part of our preparations for appearing in next years RHS plant finders directory, we've been updating our plant listings. Take a look here to see what we have on offer. Hopefully in the near future we will be able to offer mail order too.

As Spring Approaches….

“‘Now that the growing season has started are there any ornamental plants I can grow that my chickens can benefit from?” There are a number of garden ornamentals that make great grain and seed providers for your flock come the autumn, but put on a stunning display during the main of the growing season. Sunflowers …

Bird Flu and the Backyard Poultry Keeper

I recall the morning of the 7th of December 2016 as being much like any other at that time of year. It was dark outdoors as I filled the kettle and switched on the radio. The weather had turned slightly mild and damp after a nice spell of icy cold weather. I remember thinking we …

Guest blog from over the pond – Fencing for Chickens

Occasionally I receive content for the blog from folks around the web and this time I've been sent some fencing information care of Liz Greene. If you follow any of the columns I write for various magazines then you'll be familiar of my encounters with predators here in the UK, namely the fox, badger and …

What about plastic housing? – a head to head with the market leaders – Part 1

Some years ago I wrote an article about this new-fangled plastic poultry house I just been sent to try out. I recall at the time thinking there was potential in the idea, there were limitations too, however I could see the value in using them particular for the back garden keeper with a flock of …

Gardens & Chickens… Do they mix?

    I’m an avid gardener; in fact I’ve been gardening both in terms of flowers, fruit and vegetables since I fell out of a pram, I’m not a precious gardener though who needs everything in rows unless it’s in my vegetable plot. Call me old fashioned but I like my onions to all be …

The UFO & New Blog Sponsors

Last year one of the magazines I write for (Your Chickens) ran a competition for readers to design their perfect chicken house. I was asked to be one of the judges of the entries along with to-be manufacturers of the house, Smiths Sectional Buildings who are based on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border and are known for …

14 Creative Ways To Reuse Empty Wine Bottles

I guess it's not every day you pop up in the Huffington Post  14 Creative Ways To Reuse Empty Wine Bottles. Some nice ideas in here but really, do I need instructions on how to make a wine bottle into a rolling pin??

A spot of poultry podcasting with Alys Fowler and Jane Perrone for The Guardian

If you follow me on twitter or have read one of my recent blogs then you might have seen I was podcasting about poultry with two lovely folks who I'm chuffed to include amongst my friends, Alys Fowler and Jane Perrone from the The Guardians #sowgrowrepeat  . Have a listen (and hear me do a …