@@CharlesDowding1nodig As I watch this video I wonder if Charles dowding and elliot Coleman from Maine have ever met. They are both about the same age and it is fun to hear them both talk about four season harvesting.
@@melbee1000 They are twenty years age difference, but yes, a lot to learn from both. I started with Coleman, love his insight greatly, but Dowding has many improvements, a beautiful simplicity. p.s. I dont blame you for this assumption because most of the videos we have of Coleman are at least twenty years old 😊
your videos are joy to me. i started no dig garden 2 years ago. this year i triple my garden, my veggies r growing so well with your help. thank you for bein here
I direct sow onion seeds in early September, and they get good growth before the first hard freeze. They grow well throughout the winter, even when buried under snow, and are ready to start pulling for green onion in late-March or early-April.
@@philippayne8901 I am not sure what the best ones are, but the ones I grow are the Nebuka Evergreen Bunching Onion Seeds. They are hardy and cold resistant, and they never form bulbs.
Good evening from Canada 🇨🇦! It's 6 pm on the east coast. We've had mild weather thus far, last winter was mild as well. The garlic is napping and I still have some kale standing. The scarlet kale is extraordinarily beautiful surrounded by a dusting of snow. Thank you for inspiring us snow-people, spring is a distant dream.
I backyard garden in pots so I am trying some “no dig” in tubs. Also, I never thought about it but I was raised to go fallow for our veggie garden over winter, so sad that I did. Now in my mid-seventies, this is the first year I ever planted a winter garden and I live in California. Amazing to get produce from the garden! Just never considered it until I saw some of your videos. Better late than never I suppose. My younger brother and I both tried a winter garden this year and realized we learned to garden from our parents who grew up in snow bound climes. Thanks for your superb videos and teaching an old dog new tricks, 😂. 💕❤️🌱 I love gardening!
Hi Terry, this warms my heart! Your climate may in fact be easier for winter gardening than in the heat and drought of summer, so it's great that you're learning these possibilities.
Thank yo for being present all these years, for caring and keeping up the wonderful work of nurturing and preserving the land that was given to us to protect and to be the gardeners on it. God bless you and prolong your days.
This year I've discovered that in zone 4b (frost dates June 1 & September 18), in a greenhouse (clear tarp over EMT conduit frame, strapped down with rope), I was able to harvest bell peppers until late November and nearing the end of December collards, turnip, pak choy, napa cabbage and peas are still growing. Even some self-seeding napa seedlings are alive and growing still. It's a feat just to have any sort of veg growing at this time of year here. Broccoli planted outside the greenhouse died by the end of November. So, for those discouraged by sub-zero winters with heavy snow , don't be. You can extend the growing season with a low cost, home made greenhouse. I also was able to plant out tomatoes and cucumbers a month earlier at the start of May with the aid of a temperature controlled micro heater and fan. To my surprise, garden season can be extended from 4 months to 10, and perhaps even longer, in zone 4b with the protection of a basic greenhouse and a bit of springtime heating for tender plants. A greenhouse designed with a side wall/top roll up option is essential for peak summer heat control and animal prevention mesh is necessary too. While I'm here, I should mention and urge everyone to watched the After Skool video "Chemical Farming & The Loss of Human Health - Dr. Zach Bush". It explains that glyphosate, the active chemical in Roundup and other herbicides, interrupts the shikimate pathway in soil bacteria and also gut bacteria (microbiome). The human health consequences are broad, with links to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, autism, problems with organs, because it interferes with cell-to-cell bonding, leaving veins, nerves, organ lining weakened and leaky. Looking into glyphosate, I came across advise on counteracting the damage it does to the body - BRASSICAS. Home-grown, organic veg, not exposed to glyphosate in soil and water (including rain), and limiting store-bought produce and processed foods from all categories, seems to be a wise choice of "preventative medicine".
Hi Theresa! Such a wonderful and helpful comment, and I shall quote you when people ask about what they can grow in very cold climates, or cold winters at least. I watched that same video and was as shocked as you. Two of my three children cannot digest gluten which is one of consequences of glyphosate being sprayed on cereals just before harvest, during the last 30 to 35 years. It's shocking that that was ever allowed but we live in quite a rotten world! Your positive comments are very true, eat lots of brassicas and avoid any processed foods. We can gain health and power by growing our own.
@@tersta1 I am working in that direction. I just was saying to a friend this evening how wonderful it will be to juice my home grown brassicas! I have broccoli, purple sprouting broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi, Brussel sprouts, kale, chard, butter lettuce and chervil all in the hoops now. I’m very excited to see how things go.
@@Artzenflowers That's amazing! I hope all your crops yield well. Think of this conversation when you sip your first taste of juiced brassicas. LOL! And remember all the steps between germination and harvest with appreciation toward the seeds, sprouts, soil, microbes, sunshine, rain and YOURSELF too. :D
Thank you very helpful. I just love the commitment to long term trials, so many do a comparison for a season and make conclusions without looking at all factors. Charles shows the effect on the soil over many years, really helpful for real growing!
Brilliant Charles, I’m still finding my way, but have a full garden of brassicas and a few others to see how I do over winter. This being my first year with this garden it’s all a mystery at this point..I so appreciate all your wisdom and experience.
WE'RE SO USE TO SHUTTING DOWN FOR WINTER, WE NEVER THOUGHT ANYONE COULD HAVE A GARDEN THAT GORGEOUS IN WINTER IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE ON THIS PLANET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We’re in hardness zone 6a in Colorado and direct sowed various greens and beats in low tunnels at the end of October. They’ve survived as low as -18 wind chill!! Slow growing but excited to see the early harvest once the days get longer and the Sun get higher!
Impressive! Don't wait too long in the spring for a harvest because beets for example will start to flower by the end of April and then they stop developing any more root and it goes woody
Hello From Minnesota. Thank you for this wonderful video. I am disabled and have been developing my vertical (stand up) garden with arches, trellises and raised water trough beds that wick water to the vegetables.
We're in Spring now in New Zealand. I agree that timing is critical. Most of my cabbages have been fine over winter & of course no cabbage moths around then. Now all my new brassicas are netted. The last of the cabbages need to be pulled out now though and composted. Another brassica that's been good (& still going to a certain extent) is side-shooting broccoli. Almost the last of it going in the pot today.
I find it amazing, and lovely to hear comments from the other Hemisphere as, so different to where we are now! I’m happy that your overwintered brassicas did well.
Hi Charles for the last 2 years I have direct sown field beans for the same purpose as you have done for Broad beans. I have several crops of top shoots which I cook for greens much like spinach and they are lovely. That way I get the benefit of the nitrogen from the roots and a nice additional source of greens throughout the winter. I definitely recommend it.
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Has anyone tried overwintering peas for the same purpose? I know CD doesn't 'hold' with overwintering peas but I wondered if it would work for peas for shoots...
Thanks so much, Charles. These are the loveliest videos - not a wasted minute and so much information so clearly shown in such a feel good way. I've learned heaps about the mistakes I've made! Lots warmer here where I live near the water in Brisbane so I guess that just makes it easier...
We adore you Charles ❤! Ty for getting us through 2021. Health, and prosperity for the new year and beyond to you andyours. I actually have a root cell now...40 f degrees in winter. JOY 🙏🏽
I received your calendar for Christmas here in the states. I cannot wait to try your dates to improve our year round crops. Thank you for your diligence to share and teach!
Great video! I have my Charles Dowding calendar for 2022 😀. It has made my life so much easier already when thinking about the seeds that I need for next year. My broad beans are doing really well this year . I'm in Essex. Sown 30th Oct, transplanted 13th Nov. I've made a note to do them at the same time next year.
I would like that kalender too but we have to translate it to south Sweden and the climate here. Zone 2. Hills and sea inlet. I would guess its one step colder than Charles’s zone. Its a guess
Commenting from Massachusetts. We have installed a hoop house on our half acre lot in addition to our main garden in an effort to grow in winter. I just finished reading Elliot Coleman’s four season harvest. I couldn’t stop thinking I wonder if Charles dowding and Elliot Coleman ever met. You are both such an inspiration and incredible teachers. I hope you know what a legacy you are
Thank you so much, I'm honoured to be put in the same bracket as Elliot. I have a couple of his books and find them fascinating. Also very different because they have more winter sunshine than we do and less humidity I reckon, so not all his methods adapt. Also, our winter temperatures are quite a bit higher! I did meet him briefly in London at his book launch two years ago, but there was not much time to chat.
@@CharlesDowding1nodig fascinating. Yes well with technology that would make an amazing podcast. He was just on growing a greener world episode w his wife Barbara. It was a great episode. He talked about adding seaweed and clamshells to his compost and how people said why would you care to put clam shells and he talked about how they will add calcium for years to come and he is not looking for a quick fix for soil health he wants to create healthy soil for generations to come like his grandchildren. Anyhow I think a collaboration or podcast with him would be wonderful to hear.
Thanks for sharing the valuable information on sowing dates in autumn. Sowing broad beans as green manure is a really good idea and I sowed field beans in October for the same purpose. In addition, we can harvest the tips of these beans during the winter and early spring as they are tasty in stir fry!
Thank you for this and all the wonderful content you have posted throughout the year. With the solstice behind us I am sure you are looking forwards to the new growing season as much as we are. I wish you and all the dedicated Homeacres crew a very happy and safe new year.
Just reading your excellent "How to Grow Winter Vegetables" and this video was recommended by UA-cam. Great stuff, thank you for sharing and your awesome books!
No kidding on temperature, as we also we had a warm autumn here in Cumbria. I took the mesh off my brussels sprouts at the beginning of November & when I looked at them two weeks later, they had flippin' cabbage white caterpillars all over them!
Thanks Charles. Really enjoy watching your passion for epic food. I'm pulling back activity in my garden as summer starts in 2 days and I promised myself to take it slow in the summer. Respect from Africa 🇿🇦
Wow! Fairly new to gardening and the only thing still growing in my garden is claytonia and mache. I didn’t quite realize the sowing dates for winter crops were so early. Oops! Next year though! Think I’ll buy your calendar.
My favourite winter crop is Russian Kale. I have some self sown weed plants which are doing well and should crop early and a couple of later sowings. I eat the flower heads like broccoli. Delicious steamed. Very winter hardy.
Hello Charles, I did two trays of broad beans last year. Both were kept indoors until germination and appearance above the compost in each modular cell. However, one tray had completely germinated and appeared above the compost quickly. That one tray went outside into a small cloche in early february (minus degree celcius temperatures). The second tray had only partial germination even a few weeks later but due to restricted indoor space, they had to go out into the outdoor cloche. Eventually that second tray had appearance of all germinated seeds. So, I transplanted them. Tray 1 had 23 centimetres between plants within the 5 rows and between the rows. Tray 2 didnt get that exact spacing and perhaps ended up in 4 rows. Anyway, tray 1 transplants grew upright and very well and produced spectacular beans. Tray 2 plants fell over (lack of equal spacing) and the beans were great too. Tray 1 had Eleonora. Tray 2 had Claudia Aquadulce. All good.
Nice that you are keeping notes and making all these observations. It's difficult to conclude very much when there are so many variables and that is often the case in gardening!
Great vlog Charles, I'm growing broad beans field beans and peas as a cover crop and green manure. I think I've spaced mine out too much though. Looking forward to eating the tops throughout winter and then cutting them down in the spring so the nitrogen on the roots feed the soil. Still learning from you x
You make me so hopeful that some day I will be able to grow a garden like yours. As I said before it got so much better for summer this year, but I need to figure out how to grow a winter garden as well. Thanks for the video and hagd.
Great content! I especially loved the drone footage to see the before and after. I like the idea of sowing the broad beans for nitrogen. I’ve never grown them here in Oklahoma, but I ordered three packages of seeds to try. I also have your calendar and I’m going to try to adjust dates to my growing zone at 35 N. I don’t think I completely understood how your calendar worked until this video. I now have a better understanding of why you chose each date.
I love this channel. I'll will show this video to my friend who I have a little herb garden with. He dug all the bean roots out, as he didn't want to believe me about the benefits. Thanks so much for sharing. Perhaps now he'll listen ;-)
Caraway greens are one of the earliest crops. They taste just a little of what the caraway seeds do. The greens are good in soup, mixed or alone, as creamed stew, and on sandwiches. We call it "Karvekål" in Norwegian, translates to "caraway cabbage/leaves". The plants can stay on the same spot for years, just make sure you don't pick all the seeds, because the plant is biennual.
That was very interesting what you said about cover crops giving nutrients back to the soil. I cover my beds all winter with compost and mulch (plus rabbit droppings) so the beds will be ready in the spring for planting. Some beds have onions, garlic, carrots, turnips, beets and sage in them still, but I would love to learn more about best extra seeds I could plant in the beds over winter that won’t make weeds.
It's good Charlie, but we need to do it in moderation because if we're not careful, and in relation to your comment, you can have beds all full of stuff growing (+ slugs maybe) when you want to be transplanting and sowing in early spring. Also there are not many plants which actually grow in the winter, so these cover crops are only where one is planning later plantings, such as the squash family.
Broccoli, carrots and beetroot already in, spuds to follow and caulies as soon as my seed arrives and I think I'll try a few toms see how they do and all should be ready for Christmas dinner.
Been sowing broad beans phased since mid October. Some started inside (those are the biggest), some outside. No bird or mice damage yet. Will not eat them, they are purely for cover and manure (as inspired by yr videos). Plenty of pigeons around but they may still have other things to feast on (cabbage) in surrounding plots. May need to cover them, while autumn progresses
Learning so much. I planted in July a variety of early cabbage, no idea what its gonna happen. Hoping for a small head cabbage by october/nov. Tomorrow I will seed cabbage again and plant under my tomato hoop when the tomatoes are done and maybe I can have a cabbage before its time to transplant the tomatoes. I am pretty much applying a lot of your system and getting so much more out of my garden this year. Always something ready in the cold frame to take the place of a plant that its done supplying produce. I might go ahead and seed some collards to go where my green bush beans are living right now. This is so fun! Can’t thank you enough
This is wonderful and thank you so much for sharing your enthusiasm. I think it's pretty late to expect much cabbage harvest this autumn. In fact tomorrow I'm sowing cabbage and cauliflower to overwinter a small plants, which we transplant late September. They don't grow a great deal after that, even under mesh covers
Never ending garden education, Thank you.! Interesting your winter is getting colder sooner, mine here on Maryland's eastern shore is colder way later, night temps have dipped in the upper 20'sF just a few times. Today 44F is the coolest daytime all week, warmest 62F Christmas day, I'm curious to how long into spring we'll have cooler temps. I'm 63 and remember snow and cold, which we rarely ever have snow anymore.
I'm in the Pacific Northwest in Canada. We usually are temperate like you. This year has been a tough gardening year. Heat dome in June, drought all summer. Then multiple atmospheric rivers all fall with record damage. Now we are going into snow, freezing rain and we'll below seasonal temperatures. I am not optimistic for my winter crops! Hopefully my couple of low polytunnels save some stuff.
Oh wow! I wonder why you have so many extremes, when you are not far from the temperate water of the Pacific. It makes me realise how fortunate we are here and I hope that some of your plantings survive winter.
Charles, excelente video, muy explicativo, ahora estamos en invierno acá en Chile y tu video me orienta muy bien con lo que debemos hacer para mantener la huerta, gracias.
Just what I was looking for. Thank you. The algo helpfully suggested "Autumn onion sowing Charles Dickens", if that helps you keep your heels on the ground!
2:04 Yes, Charles I agree that when planting in the fall a week or two can make a huge difference. Happened to me this fall. Also if you will, what kind of wire do you use for the mesh cover supports? Thanks!
Great video , made me realise that sometimes I have sown things too late, the packet may say sow until end September but if I’d sown in August I think I would have got better harvests in spring , I will definitely try that next year , I, like you am in the southwest, Cornwall to be exact so your timelines will probably work, I do actually have your diaries also veg journal so I have no excuse just need to keep reading them.
Hello Charles, Thank you for sharing your experiences and wisdom of home gardening, really amazing. I wanted to ask you where did you purchase those metal flexible rods for the vegetables hoops for salad or vegetables, please? Thank you in advance
10:29 Noticed the sprouts in the background there. Do you remove covers from your sprouts in autumn? Also when do you remove your sprout tops? I'm looking forward to trying my tops but no idea when's best to harvest them.
I remove covers on the sprouts in late August because they are bursting out of them as they grow upwards. Fortunately I do not have pigeons until it's cold. And I spray Bacillus thuringiensis against caterpillars, it's a soil bacteria.
Another most enjoyable visit to Homeacres! Your practical information never ceases to amaze! 12" of new snow yesterday and an additional 3" last nigh. Down to -18* C then back up to -5 * C in the last week. The snow is bright and clean BUT.......can't eat snow! Planning for spring planting and keeping warm by the fire. Connie 🐝 from Beautiful B.C.
Thank you so much for the information on the cauliflower. I have a few very healthy looking plants from autumn seedlings, they have not yet formed heads and I was beginning to consider pulling them. But based on what you've shared here, I will be holding on to them until spring and see how they perform then. Also struggling with birds in my garden, they especially have an appetite for my spinach and winter cabbages, I'm still working on a proper netting system. Great video, as always very informative and inspiring. Thanks for sharing🙂
I follow your work and all praise for your dedication to gardening and your efforts to pass on your valuable knowledge and experience. Although, I live on the Adriatic coast and it is a little harder for me to harmonize your instructions due to the climate difference. But either way, I use some of those advices and and I managed to apply some of them😀.
This gives me some thoughts of starting my fall broccoli in late July. It's too cold here outside Chicago to overwinter them but should be able to harvest up until the end of Nov with some frost protection.
I wrote something similar in another comment, broccoli is risky where I am, too, it WILL overwinter but if we get a particularly harsh frost, bam, it's gone, so I'd also rather harvest in November or something, but that means sowing it in July maybe and risk our summer heat. Tried August this year and got lovely healthy plants but they couldn't produce a head in time so now I just have to hope for a mild winter and a crop in early spring.
I tried to sow stuff in late August but it was still far too hot and they did not come up - I am in S France; I have now sown again in early October and hoping now they will show. I have sown spinach, chard, turnip, navette and black radish. I had trouble growing spinach and chard last year but the others are never a problem!
That sounds good Janice. I reckon your best time would be a little earlier, sometime in late September which can make quite a difference compared to sowing now, you will see what happens this winter!
Have always had much respect for you. After reading that you have no interest in honours (as would I if ever offered) you made my day. Kindness, love, hard work and integrity is all we need@@CharlesDowding1nodig
Great and useful information Charles. I sometimes get lucky with late sowing times but more often not! Here in Newfoundland the weather is always unpredictable. I guess I must become a smarter planner haha.
Nice one Charles. Must admit I gave up planting broad beans in November and just planted in February. I can't remember where I heard it but an old timer suggested planting seeds a lot deeper than usual which seems to work.
Wheelers Imperial is a great cabbage. We have a small bed of these which i planted small. But due to the weather not being too cold yet, i reckon they are almost ready! Even in the North of England the extra mild weatherwe had has given them a real boost. I hope i don`t get bolted cabbage early next year.
Love ALL your videos Charles, it’s always so informative and gives a lot of options. I find your voice and explanations so calming, soothing and encouraging it really makes my evening lovely listening to you at the end of a tiring work day and relaxes me for bedtime.😌 Best tranquilliser in the world! 😂🥰👍👍
Love all your videos Charles. Cant wait to start again with you next year. Have a very Happy Christmas and here's to a better New Year. Thankyou for sharing!
Love the idea of broad bean as a cover crop, However, instead of putting the tops in the heap, does anyone know if they would work in a quiche, pasta wilted greens or salad leaf ???
Direct sowed my broad beans Nov 10th and sadly someone has eaten them - hey ho, we all have to eat! So will be module sowing new batch January for later cropping! Great video - putting notes in my CD Journal and Calendar!
I have also used spare broad bean seeds as a green compost this year as an experiment, having read these comments I am pleased to see the tips will be useful and tasty as leafy greens in the spring. Win win all round 🥳
My onions were sown September 1st and planted out early October, they look a bit bigger than your first example and just as tidy! So I'm harboring hope for a good harvest. The spinach is a different story, sown early October, planted mid November, they're still on 2 to 4 leaves now... I hope they pull through. Next year I will go with 10th of August like you say, for sure! :D
We found the exact same looking caterpillar under our row cover today. Excellent information and looking forward to putting you Calendar to good use next year. Merry Christmas from Victoria Canada:)
At the 2nd onion spot 4:00, is that some sort of massive bok choy? I guess it's some kind of brassica. Maybe I'm way off. Whatever it is it's looking fantastic.
I live quite a bit further north than you and usually sow my spring onions early August. Did the same this year and because of the mild autumn they have grown really quite large, in fact I harvested a couple of spring onions that were ready a couple of weeks ago. The site is very windy as we are quite high up here so am thinking of fleecing them to keep off the worst of the winter weather. It is not something I have had to do in previous years. Also I planted my garlic the middle of October but nothing has appeared yet. I am hoping to have a bit of a poke around, the next decent day we get to make sure they haven't rotted. although I have never had that happen before. I used my own saved seed this year for the first time.
Thank you, Charles, I have your diary book, so I will be sticking to your advice from it. My polly should be going up next month. Terrace house living is fun, as you can imagine :)
Charles Dowding is a national treasure. Wonderful wisdom and experience. Thank you for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it Nicky and thanks
@@CharlesDowding1nodig As I watch this video I wonder if Charles dowding and elliot Coleman from Maine have ever met. They are both about the same age and it is fun to hear them both talk about four season harvesting.
@@melbee1000 They are twenty years age difference, but yes, a lot to learn from both. I started with Coleman, love his insight greatly, but Dowding has many improvements, a beautiful simplicity.
p.s. I dont blame you for this assumption because most of the videos we have of Coleman are at least twenty years old 😊
your videos are joy to me. i started no dig garden 2 years ago. this year i triple my garden, my veggies r growing so well with your help. thank you for bein here
So cool, lovely gardening Annetta
I direct sow onion seeds in early September, and they get good growth before the first hard freeze. They grow well throughout the winter, even when buried under snow, and are ready to start pulling for green onion in late-March or early-April.
Really now.. wish I had heard this sooner! I’ll take a note for sure, thanks northern neighbor! 😄 I’m here in Kentucky!
Good to hear, amazing plants!
Hi what variety grows best?
@@philippayne8901 I am not sure what the best ones are, but the ones I grow are the Nebuka Evergreen Bunching Onion Seeds. They are hardy and cold resistant, and they never form bulbs.
I do 'Japanese' onion sets and harvest them through to May before they bulb
It's fascinating how good your garden looks, even in Winter. Us mortals have got a grey, sorry looking mess 😁
Good evening from Canada 🇨🇦! It's 6 pm on the east coast. We've had mild weather thus far, last winter was mild as well. The garlic is napping and I still have some kale standing. The scarlet kale is extraordinarily beautiful surrounded by a dusting of snow. Thank you for inspiring us snow-people, spring is a distant dream.
Oh wow! I'm glad you have a smell respite from winter
I backyard garden in pots so I am trying some “no dig” in tubs. Also, I never thought about it but I was raised to go fallow for our veggie garden over winter, so sad that I did. Now in my mid-seventies, this is the first year I ever planted a winter garden and I live in California. Amazing to get produce from the garden! Just never considered it until I saw some of your videos. Better late than never I suppose. My younger brother and I both tried a winter garden this year and realized we learned to garden from our parents who grew up in snow bound climes. Thanks for your superb videos and teaching an old dog new tricks, 😂. 💕❤️🌱 I love gardening!
Hi Terry, this warms my heart!
Your climate may in fact be easier for winter gardening than in the heat and drought of summer, so it's great that you're learning these possibilities.
Thank yo for being present all these years, for caring and keeping up the wonderful work of nurturing and preserving the land that was given to us to protect and to be the gardeners on it. God bless you and prolong your days.
So nice of you Predrag! I wish the same, can see how I help people too.
Charles, you are a godsend to this world. Hugs and kisses from Michigan, USA.
💚
This year I've discovered that in zone 4b (frost dates June 1 & September 18), in a greenhouse (clear tarp over EMT conduit frame, strapped down with rope), I was able to harvest bell peppers until late November and nearing the end of December collards, turnip, pak choy, napa cabbage and peas are still growing. Even some self-seeding napa seedlings are alive and growing still. It's a feat just to have any sort of veg growing at this time of year here. Broccoli planted outside the greenhouse died by the end of November. So, for those discouraged by sub-zero winters with heavy snow , don't be. You can extend the growing season with a low cost, home made greenhouse. I also was able to plant out tomatoes and cucumbers a month earlier at the start of May with the aid of a temperature controlled micro heater and fan. To my surprise, garden season can be extended from 4 months to 10, and perhaps even longer, in zone 4b with the protection of a basic greenhouse and a bit of springtime heating for tender plants. A greenhouse designed with a side wall/top roll up option is essential for peak summer heat control and animal prevention mesh is necessary too.
While I'm here, I should mention and urge everyone to watched the After Skool video "Chemical Farming & The Loss of Human Health - Dr. Zach Bush". It explains that glyphosate, the active chemical in Roundup and other herbicides, interrupts the shikimate pathway in soil bacteria and also gut bacteria (microbiome). The human health consequences are broad, with links to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, autism, problems with organs, because it interferes with cell-to-cell bonding, leaving veins, nerves, organ lining weakened and leaky. Looking into glyphosate, I came across advise on counteracting the damage it does to the body - BRASSICAS. Home-grown, organic veg, not exposed to glyphosate in soil and water (including rain), and limiting store-bought produce and processed foods from all categories, seems to be a wise choice of "preventative medicine".
Wow! Impressive. You inspire me!
@@Artzenflowers YOU CAN DO IT, Nancy! Do try. You will be healthier and happier for the effort. :)
Hi Theresa! Such a wonderful and helpful comment, and I shall quote you when people ask about what they can grow in very cold climates, or cold winters at least.
I watched that same video and was as shocked as you. Two of my three children cannot digest gluten which is one of consequences of glyphosate being sprayed on cereals just before harvest, during the last 30 to 35 years. It's shocking that that was ever allowed but we live in quite a rotten world!
Your positive comments are very true, eat lots of brassicas and avoid any processed foods. We can gain health and power by growing our own.
@@tersta1 I am working in that direction. I just was saying to a friend this evening how wonderful it will be to juice my home grown brassicas! I have broccoli, purple sprouting broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi, Brussel sprouts, kale, chard, butter lettuce and chervil all in the hoops now. I’m very excited to see how things go.
@@Artzenflowers That's amazing! I hope all your crops yield well. Think of this conversation when you sip your first taste of juiced brassicas. LOL! And remember all the steps between germination and harvest with appreciation toward the seeds, sprouts, soil, microbes, sunshine, rain and YOURSELF too. :D
Thank you very helpful. I just love the commitment to long term trials, so many do a comparison for a season and make conclusions without looking at all factors. Charles shows the effect on the soil over many years, really helpful for real growing!
Glad you enjoyed it Peter, and thanks!
Brilliant Charles, I’m still finding my way, but have a full garden of brassicas and a few others to see how I do over winter. This being my first year with this garden it’s all a mystery at this point..I so appreciate all your wisdom and experience.
Go you Nancy, sounds good for year one
Very encouraging,
I’m a small time gardener,
All the same,
your wealth of knowledge is a great inspiration
WE'RE SO USE TO SHUTTING DOWN FOR WINTER, WE NEVER THOUGHT ANYONE COULD HAVE A GARDEN THAT GORGEOUS IN WINTER IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE ON THIS PLANET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Charles. This is the best overwintering video I have seen on UA-cam.
Many thanks
We’re in hardness zone 6a in Colorado and direct sowed various greens and beats in low tunnels at the end of October. They’ve survived as low as -18 wind chill!! Slow growing but excited to see the early harvest once the days get longer and the Sun get higher!
Impressive!
Don't wait too long in the spring for a harvest because beets for example will start to flower by the end of April and then they stop developing any more root and it goes woody
Hello From Minnesota. Thank you for this wonderful video. I am disabled and have been developing my vertical (stand up) garden with arches, trellises and raised water trough beds that wick water to the vegetables.
Sounds amazing Paul!
We're in Spring now in New Zealand. I agree that timing is critical. Most of my cabbages have been fine over winter & of course no cabbage moths around then. Now all my new brassicas are netted. The last of the cabbages need to be pulled out now though and composted.
Another brassica that's been good (& still going to a certain extent) is side-shooting broccoli. Almost the last of it going in the pot today.
I find it amazing, and lovely to hear comments from the other Hemisphere as, so different to where we are now! I’m happy that your overwintered brassicas did well.
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thanks Charles. And I appreciate you responding to my comments
Hi Charles for the last 2 years I have direct sown field beans for the same purpose as you have done for Broad beans. I have several crops of top shoots which I cook for greens much like spinach and they are lovely. That way I get the benefit of the nitrogen from the roots and a nice additional source of greens throughout the winter. I definitely recommend it.
Thanks for sharing Philip, nice job there!
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Has anyone tried overwintering peas for the same purpose? I know CD doesn't 'hold' with overwintering peas but I wondered if it would work for peas for shoots...
Well said Philip :-)
Thanks so much, Charles. These are the loveliest videos - not a wasted minute and so much information so clearly shown in such a feel good way. I've learned heaps about the mistakes I've made! Lots warmer here where I live near the water in Brisbane so I guess that just makes it easier...
You are very welcome Tony and I hope the recent weather has been ok for you, sounds a good temperature
Love the idea, I will try it out here in Norway next winter
Thanks!
Cheers Eddie
Thank you Charles for sharing this beautiful video.
Glad you enjoyed it Robert
We adore you Charles ❤! Ty for getting us through 2021. Health, and prosperity for the new year and beyond to you andyours. I actually have a root cell now...40 f degrees in winter. JOY 🙏🏽
Wow I am impressed and 40F is ideal.
Thanks for writing and may you stay healthy through winter - "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?"
@@CharlesDowding1nodig my father had a saying..."If you can get through February, you can MARCH!"
I received your calendar for Christmas here in the states. I cannot wait to try your dates to improve our year round crops. Thank you for your diligence to share and teach!
Wonderful!
Great video! I have my Charles Dowding calendar for 2022 😀. It has made my life so much easier already when thinking about the seeds that I need for next year.
My broad beans are doing really well this year . I'm in Essex. Sown 30th Oct, transplanted 13th Nov. I've made a note to do them at the same time next year.
I would like that kalender too but we have to translate it to south Sweden and the climate here. Zone 2. Hills and sea inlet. I would guess its one step colder than Charles’s zone. Its a guess
Great to hear and thanks for your feedback
Wow zone 2. Yes you would sow about a month later (under cover) in March through April, then same, then a month earlier from July
Commenting from Massachusetts. We have installed a hoop house on our half acre lot in addition to our main garden in an effort to grow in winter. I just finished reading Elliot Coleman’s four season harvest. I couldn’t stop thinking I wonder if Charles dowding and Elliot Coleman ever met. You are both such an inspiration and incredible teachers. I hope you know what a legacy you are
Thank you so much, I'm honoured to be put in the same bracket as Elliot. I have a couple of his books and find them fascinating. Also very different because they have more winter sunshine than we do and less humidity I reckon, so not all his methods adapt. Also, our winter temperatures are quite a bit higher!
I did meet him briefly in London at his book launch two years ago, but there was not much time to chat.
@@CharlesDowding1nodig fascinating. Yes well with technology that would make an amazing podcast. He was just on growing a greener world episode w his wife Barbara. It was a great episode. He talked about adding seaweed and clamshells to his compost and how people said why would you care to put clam shells and he talked about how they will add calcium for years to come and he is not looking for a quick fix for soil health he wants to create healthy soil for generations to come like his grandchildren. Anyhow I think a collaboration or podcast with him would be wonderful to hear.
Thanks for sharing the valuable information on sowing dates in autumn. Sowing broad beans as green manure is a really good idea and I sowed field beans in October for the same purpose. In addition, we can harvest the tips of these beans during the winter and early spring as they are tasty in stir fry!
So right and thanks for sharing!
You are a true inspiration Charles. Thank you for your videos.
Thank you for this and all the wonderful content you have posted throughout the year.
With the solstice behind us I am sure you are looking forwards to the new growing season as much as we are.
I wish you and all the dedicated Homeacres crew a very happy and safe new year.
You are so welcome and thank you for your nice comment 🌱
Just reading your excellent "How to Grow Winter Vegetables" and this video was recommended by UA-cam. Great stuff, thank you for sharing and your awesome books!
Glad it was helpful and thanks
No kidding on temperature, as we also we had a warm autumn here in Cumbria. I took the mesh off my brussels sprouts at the beginning of November & when I looked at them two weeks later, they had flippin' cabbage white caterpillars all over them!
Wow!!
Thanks Charles. Really enjoy watching your passion for epic food.
I'm pulling back activity in my garden as summer starts in 2 days and I promised myself to take it slow in the summer.
Respect from Africa 🇿🇦
Stay cool Justus!
Wow! Fairly new to gardening and the only thing still growing in my garden is claytonia and mache. I didn’t quite realize the sowing dates for winter crops were so early. Oops! Next year though! Think I’ll buy your calendar.
Cheers Ron 🌱 lots to aim for
Really miss over wintered veggies here in Australia. Nothing better than a Brussel Sprout that’s had a frost. Brassica antifreeze tastes so good !!
My favourite winter crop is Russian Kale. I have some self sown weed plants which are doing well and should crop early and a couple of later sowings. I eat the flower heads like broccoli. Delicious steamed. Very winter hardy.
Lovely, yes it's so good!
Thank you for the video Charles, I was having withdrawal symptoms, so it was timely! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
💚 thankyou and same
That is some beautiful compost you have there Charles. And of course as always very beautiful veg you have in your gardens
Yes, and thank you 💚
Hello Charles, I did two trays of broad beans last year. Both were kept indoors until germination and appearance above the compost in each modular cell. However, one tray had completely germinated and appeared above the compost quickly. That one tray went outside into a small cloche in early february (minus degree celcius temperatures). The second tray had only partial germination even a few weeks later but due to restricted indoor space, they had to go out into the outdoor cloche. Eventually that second tray had appearance of all germinated seeds. So, I transplanted them. Tray 1 had 23 centimetres between plants within the 5 rows and between the rows. Tray 2 didnt get that exact spacing and perhaps ended up in 4 rows. Anyway, tray 1 transplants grew upright and very well and produced spectacular beans. Tray 2 plants fell over (lack of equal spacing) and the beans were great too. Tray 1 had Eleonora. Tray 2 had Claudia Aquadulce. All good.
Nice that you are keeping notes and making all these observations. It's difficult to conclude very much when there are so many variables and that is often the case in gardening!
Yess mateee cant wait for me cabbages to pull through! Love the thrasher font.. looks great
Thanks Charles! I'd forgotten how good you were.
😀
Great vlog Charles, I'm growing broad beans field beans and peas as a cover crop and green manure. I think I've spaced mine out too much though. Looking forward to eating the tops throughout winter and then cutting them down in the spring so the nitrogen on the roots feed the soil. Still learning from you x
Sounds great Ann!
You make me so hopeful that some day I will be able to grow a garden like yours. As I said before it got so much better for summer this year, but I need to figure out how to grow a winter garden as well. Thanks for the video and hagd.
You can do it Lisa, a question of when 😀
Como siempre agradecerte por tu tiempo de enseñar yo sigo tus consejos en mi pequeño jardín, un saludo desde santiago de chile 🤗🇨🇱
Que encantadora y Ximena
Great content! I especially loved the drone footage to see the before and after. I like the idea of sowing the broad beans for nitrogen. I’ve never grown them here in Oklahoma, but I ordered three packages of seeds to try. I also have your calendar and I’m going to try to adjust dates to my growing zone at 35 N. I don’t think I completely understood how your calendar worked until this video. I now have a better understanding of why you chose each date.
Glad you enjoyed it and this is helpful feedback for me as well, about the Calendar!
Good luck with the broad beans 💚
I love this channel. I'll will show this video to my friend who I have a little herb garden with. He dug all the bean roots out, as he didn't want to believe me about the benefits.
Thanks so much for sharing. Perhaps now he'll listen ;-)
🌸 I hope so and thanks
Congratulations Charles on 500 k subscribers and thank you for such great content!
Cheers Brian
Accurate advice. Fortunate to have a large property. Lots of work. Impressive scale. Too relaxed.
6:50 We have pet pigeons now and they LOVE greens from the garden. Would have never known.
They eat a lot don't they! You may need mesh or net covers, good luck
You're the bestest, Charles! Thanks for sharing with us. 😀
My pleasure Marie and Happy New Year
Caraway greens are one of the earliest crops. They taste just a little of what the caraway seeds do. The greens are good in soup, mixed or alone, as creamed stew, and on sandwiches. We call it "Karvekål" in Norwegian, translates to "caraway cabbage/leaves". The plants can stay on the same spot for years, just make sure you don't pick all the seeds, because the plant is biennual.
Thanks Solrunn, I shall sow some, it sounds good!
That was very interesting what you said about cover crops giving nutrients back to the soil. I cover my beds all winter with compost and mulch (plus rabbit droppings) so the beds will be ready in the spring for planting. Some beds have onions, garlic, carrots, turnips, beets and sage in them still, but I would love to learn more about best extra seeds I could plant in the beds over winter that won’t make weeds.
It's good Charlie, but we need to do it in moderation because if we're not careful, and in relation to your comment, you can have beds all full of stuff growing (+ slugs maybe) when you want to be transplanting and sowing in early spring. Also there are not many plants which actually grow in the winter, so these cover crops are only where one is planning later plantings, such as the squash family.
Your videos always make me feel good. Bonus points for all the useful information :)
Happy to hear that!
Broccoli, carrots and beetroot already in, spuds to follow and caulies as soon as my seed arrives and I think I'll try a few toms see how they do and all should be ready for Christmas dinner.
Thank you for the information. It's wonderful to see the green grass and plants when outside my door there is snow and -5 degrees Celsius.
Our pleasure! Hard to imagine here!
Been sowing broad beans phased since mid October. Some started inside (those are the biggest), some outside. No bird or mice damage yet. Will not eat them, they are purely for cover and manure (as inspired by yr videos). Plenty of pigeons around but they may still have other things to feast on (cabbage) in surrounding plots. May need to cover them, while autumn progresses
Excellent job there Ed
I always do them in the fall. I just have way more time! So we sow them then we move bed to bed refreshing the soil and weeding etc
Learning so much. I planted in July a variety of early cabbage, no idea what its gonna happen. Hoping for a small head cabbage by october/nov. Tomorrow I will seed cabbage again and plant under my tomato hoop when the tomatoes are done and maybe I can have a cabbage before its time to transplant the tomatoes. I am pretty much applying a lot of your system and getting so much more out of my garden this year. Always something ready in the cold frame to take the place of a plant that its done supplying produce. I might go ahead and seed some collards to go where my green bush beans are living right now. This is so fun! Can’t thank you enough
This is wonderful and thank you so much for sharing your enthusiasm.
I think it's pretty late to expect much cabbage harvest this autumn. In fact tomorrow I'm sowing cabbage and cauliflower to overwinter a small plants, which we transplant late September. They don't grow a great deal after that, even under mesh covers
@@CharlesDowding1nodig True, looking at the cabbage plants and they don’t look like its gonna do anything this year. Lesson learned.
Never ending garden education, Thank you.! Interesting your winter is getting colder sooner, mine here on Maryland's eastern shore is colder way later, night temps have dipped in the upper 20'sF just a few times. Today 44F is the coolest daytime all week, warmest 62F Christmas day, I'm curious to how long into spring we'll have cooler temps. I'm 63 and remember snow and cold, which we rarely ever have snow anymore.
The French have a saying:
Christmas on the balcony
Easter by the fireside!
@@CharlesDowding1nodig
That's fabulous, thanks for the smile.
I'm in the Pacific Northwest in Canada. We usually are temperate like you. This year has been a tough gardening year. Heat dome in June, drought all summer. Then multiple atmospheric rivers all fall with record damage. Now we are going into snow, freezing rain and we'll below seasonal temperatures. I am not optimistic for my winter crops! Hopefully my couple of low polytunnels save some stuff.
Oh wow! I wonder why you have so many extremes, when you are not far from the temperate water of the Pacific. It makes me realise how fortunate we are here and I hope that some of your plantings survive winter.
Charles, excelente video, muy explicativo, ahora estamos en invierno acá en Chile y tu video me orienta muy bien con lo que debemos hacer para mantener la huerta, gracias.
Dios invierno!! Estoy feliz de que hayas encontrado este video para tu temporada.
Great advice as always. Thank you Charles. Kind regards. Gary
Just what I was looking for. Thank you.
The algo helpfully suggested "Autumn onion sowing Charles Dickens", if that helps you keep your heels on the ground!
Great suggestion! 😂 thanks
2:04 Yes, Charles I agree that when planting in the fall a week or two can make a huge difference. Happened to me this fall. Also if you will, what kind of wire do you use for the mesh cover supports? Thanks!
Cheers George and it's 4mm high tensile, galvanised & straightened wire
Great video , made me realise that sometimes I have sown things too late, the packet may say sow until end September but if I’d sown in August I think I would have got better harvests in spring , I will definitely try that next year , I, like you am in the southwest, Cornwall to be exact so your timelines will probably work, I do actually have your diaries also veg journal so I have no excuse just need to keep reading them.
Sounds promising, you have a nice winter climate, apart perhaps from wind!
Like the idea as beans as a cover crop.
In addition, I'm using a wintering grass as a covering crop; it has the added benefit of being high in nitrogen.
Hello Charles, Thank you for sharing your experiences and wisdom of home gardening, really amazing. I wanted to ask you where did you purchase those metal flexible rods for the vegetables hoops for salad or vegetables, please? Thank you in advance
Here Alberto sharanya.co.uk and thanks
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thank you Charles :)
10:29 Noticed the sprouts in the background there. Do you remove covers from your sprouts in autumn?
Also when do you remove your sprout tops? I'm looking forward to trying my tops but no idea when's best to harvest them.
I remove covers on the sprouts in late August because they are bursting out of them as they grow upwards. Fortunately I do not have pigeons until it's cold. And I spray Bacillus thuringiensis against caterpillars, it's a soil bacteria.
Beautiful garden. Very informative/explanation of growing times.
Many thanks
LOL !!!!!! YOUR LEAKS AND POTATOES HAVE BEEN BRILLIANT FOR SEVEN YEARS IN A ROW !!!?????? CONGRATULATIONS....OURS BARELY GRADUATED 1ST GRADE !!!!!!!!
Another most enjoyable visit to Homeacres!
Your practical information never ceases to amaze!
12" of new snow yesterday and an additional 3" last nigh.
Down to -18* C then back up to -5 * C in the last week.
The snow is bright and clean BUT.......can't eat snow!
Planning for spring planting and keeping warm by the fire.
Connie 🐝 from Beautiful B.C.
Wow, thank you Connie and that sounds gorgeous, except for the lack of green vegetables!
Thank you so much for the information on the cauliflower. I have a few very healthy looking plants from autumn seedlings, they have not yet formed heads and I was beginning to consider pulling them. But based on what you've shared here, I will be holding on to them until spring and see how they perform then.
Also struggling with birds in my garden, they especially have an appetite for my spinach and winter cabbages, I'm still working on a proper netting system.
Great video, as always very informative and inspiring. Thanks for sharing🙂
Thankyou, and I hope they do it!
I follow your work and all praise for your dedication to gardening and your efforts to pass on your valuable knowledge and experience. Although, I live on the Adriatic coast and it is a little harder for me to harmonize your instructions due to the climate difference. But either way, I use some of those advices and and I managed to apply some of them😀.
It's my pleasure and thanks for writing. I can imagine how the wind is an issue for your plants, while seaweed is a positive!
Nice winter garden visit! thank you!
This gives me some thoughts of starting my fall broccoli in late July. It's too cold here outside Chicago to overwinter them but should be able to harvest up until the end of Nov with some frost protection.
Good plan Steve
I wrote something similar in another comment, broccoli is risky where I am, too, it WILL overwinter but if we get a particularly harsh frost, bam, it's gone, so I'd also rather harvest in November or something, but that means sowing it in July maybe and risk our summer heat. Tried August this year and got lovely healthy plants but they couldn't produce a head in time so now I just have to hope for a mild winter and a crop in early spring.
So much info Charles. The one take away for me...sugars are plant anti freeze. I’ve got that.👍🏾
😀
I tried to sow stuff in late August but it was still far too hot and they did not come up - I am in S France; I have now sown again in early October and hoping now they will show. I have sown spinach, chard, turnip, navette and black radish. I had trouble growing spinach and chard last year but the others are never a problem!
That sounds good Janice. I reckon your best time would be a little earlier, sometime in late September which can make quite a difference compared to sowing now, you will see what happens this winter!
Here's hoping Charles will get that half mil subs before Christmas and an MBE for his work by next year.
Thanks Sam, almost there on first, and on second, no interest 😀
Have always had much respect for you. After reading that you have no interest in honours (as would I if ever offered) you made my day.
Kindness, love, hard work and integrity is all we need@@CharlesDowding1nodig
Great and useful information Charles. I sometimes get lucky with late sowing times but more often not! Here in Newfoundland the weather is always unpredictable. I guess I must become a smarter planner haha.
New year resolution!
Have a Merry Merry Christmas and New Year. Thank you for all your Vids and Info.
Cheers Alan
Nice one Charles. Must admit I gave up planting broad beans in November and just planted in February. I can't remember where I heard it but an old timer suggested planting seeds a lot deeper than usual which seems to work.
Makes sense if winters are hard
Wheelers Imperial is a great cabbage. We have a small bed of these which i planted small. But due to the weather not being too cold yet, i reckon they are almost ready! Even in the North of England the extra mild weatherwe had has given them a real boost. I hope i don`t get bolted cabbage early next year.
Yes the weather is such a variable in finding best date, and I hope yours make it, the forecast is colder for you soon
Love ALL your videos Charles, it’s always so informative and gives a lot of options. I find your voice and explanations so calming, soothing and encouraging it really makes my evening lovely listening to you at the end of a tiring work day and relaxes me for bedtime.😌 Best tranquilliser in the world! 😂🥰👍👍
Awesome, thank you for lovely feedback 😀
This is a dream in zone 5b.
The winter is vicious here.
Brrrr! Stay warm
Thanks Charles......by sheer accident I have a load of spring onions just the right size! 😂👏 quite chuffed!
No accident Lynn! Bravo
Love all your videos Charles. Cant wait to start again with you next year. Have a very Happy Christmas and here's to a better New Year. Thankyou for sharing!
Love the idea of broad bean as a cover crop, However, instead of putting the tops in the heap, does anyone know if they would work in a quiche, pasta wilted greens or salad leaf ???
Good ides Tessa, for the tops, we eat them but not the fibrous stems
You always inspire me to grow something on my backyard. Thank you ❤️
I'm so glad
Direct sowed my broad beans Nov 10th and sadly someone has eaten them - hey ho, we all have to eat! So will be module sowing new batch January for later cropping! Great video - putting notes in my CD Journal and Calendar!
Oh no!
I have also used spare broad bean seeds as a green compost this year as an experiment, having read these comments I am pleased to see the tips will be useful and tasty as leafy greens in the spring. Win win all round 🥳
😀
great video all looking good well done charles
Cheers Steven and happy Christmas
My onions were sown September 1st and planted out early October, they look a bit bigger than your first example and just as tidy! So I'm harboring hope for a good harvest. The spinach is a different story, sown early October, planted mid November, they're still on 2 to 4 leaves now... I hope they pull through. Next year I will go with 10th of August like you say, for sure! :D
You're doing well Laurens
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thank you for the compliment!
Wish I’d seen this video before now, next year I’ll be trying a lot of those August sowings.
Thanks and good plan
@@CharlesDowding1nodig I’ve been watching your no dig videos too, I’m going to try it in part of my garden.
We found the exact same looking caterpillar under our row cover today. Excellent information and looking forward to putting you Calendar to good use next year.
Merry Christmas from Victoria Canada:)
At the 2nd onion spot 4:00, is that some sort of massive bok choy? I guess it's some kind of brassica. Maybe I'm way off. Whatever it is it's looking fantastic.
Yes a monster choy!
We appreciate your videos. Thank you.
Sugar as antifreeze, remarkable nature! Thanks for an inspiring video, learnt much :-)
💚
Great idea about beans for nitrogen. Thanks from Western Wisconsin, Zone 4b.
I live quite a bit further north than you and usually sow my spring onions early August. Did the same this year and because of the mild autumn they have grown really quite large, in fact I harvested a couple of spring onions that were ready a couple of weeks ago. The site is very windy as we are quite high up here so am thinking of fleecing them to keep off the worst of the winter weather. It is not something I have had to do in previous years.
Also I planted my garlic the middle of October but nothing has appeared yet. I am hoping to have a bit of a poke around, the next decent day we get to make sure they haven't rotted. although I have never had that happen before. I used my own saved seed this year for the first time.
Nice you do that, and the garlic will be fine. Some varieties take a long time to emerge.
Thank you, Charles, I have your diary book, so I will be sticking to your advice from it. My polly should be going up next month. Terrace house living is fun, as you can imagine :)
Best of luck Jayne!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Keep up your great work. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.