To peel or not to peel?

[keiramax]

I pretty much do the same as you Amy, however with the main broccoli stalk, I just cut the bottom bit off, then roughly peel the outer skin with a paring knife then chop up the stalk and then cook it with the broccoli. (either steam, stir fry etc)  It is lovely and sweet and it is where most of the nutrient is anyway.  No waste.  I saw a friend do it years ago and have done it since.

A worm farm is a good option for those without a compost bin or chooks.  Great if you only have a small amount of scraps each day. 

[Amy :-)]

No Amy unfortunately we don't have a compost. Over the years we have tried them but I'm not a gardener and DH always found them a lot f work. I would love to have cooks but I need to wait for DH to clear a space for a coup so I'll probably be retired before that happens! Maybe once our new puppy is older and less work we can get onto the cooks.

We just have a plastic thing which we chuck all the scraps in and let them rot down. We don't actually do anything with it. Does that mean its not a proper compost?
Could you bribe DH with champagne or chocolates, Wonder? Or new socks perhaps?

I pretty much do the same as you Amy, however with the main broccoli stalk, I just cut the bottom bit off, then roughly peel the outer skin with a paring knife then chop up the stalk and then cook it with the broccoli. (either steam, stir fry etc)  It is lovely and sweet and it is where most of the nutrient is anyway.  No waste.  I saw a friend do it years ago and have done it since.

That sounds like a really good idea keiramax! And I love broccoli Do you think you can you do the same with cauliflower?

[keiramax]

Yep, I do the same with Cauliflower.

There are many different ways of composting, some faster than others.  Your method is a slow compost method, if for any reason it gets smelly, just throw in some dirt  and dried material (leaves, shredded paper etc)

[Wonder]

Unfortunately not Amy, DH is great but when he has a plan he won't deviate from it, the cook pen has to come after a number of other things in our yard. The new puppy is taking up so much time to be honest the thought of adding something else to do each day would just be too much. If I didn't work as much it might be different but DH gets landed with a lot of the home stuff as well as all the kids taxing.

[Amy :-)]

Yep, I do the same with Cauliflower.

There are many different ways of composting, some faster than others.  Your method is a slow compost method, if for any reason it gets smelly, just throw in some dirt  and dried material (leaves, shredded paper etc)

Thanks keiramax

So you mean compost is not supposed to smell? I always have to hold my breath whenever I got up there to toss something in

Unfortunately not Amy, DH is great but when he has a plan he won't deviate from it, the cook pen has to come after a number of other things in our yard. The new puppy is taking up so much time to be honest the thought of adding something else to do each day would just be too much. If I didn't work as much it might be different but DH gets landed with a lot of the home stuff as well as all the kids taxing.

That does sound fair to me Wonder. I guess when you have so many things to do, you have to prioritise them sensibly. At least you have something to look forward to in your retirement

[Cuilidh]

I'm far from a compost expert, but I believe what you may now have Amy is anaerobic compost.  It needs some dry materials mixed in, i.e. shredded paper, dried leaves, etc.  A handful of lime would probably do it the world of good and, if you can handle the smell, try to agitate it or turn it to let some air in and mix the dried mateials and lime into the existing mix.  Basically, it sounds as if you have got a wet sludge that needs help.  If you can give it some protection from the rain that will also help - it needs some moisture but not to be too wet.

[keiramax]

Amy, I agree with Cuiliudh.  Compost should smell earthy and not unpleasant.  Try some of the suggested fixes.  It can be a real art to get compost working properly.  But once working properly it's great for the veggie garden.

Started to plan our planting schedule for this year, was out digging over the garden beds on the weekend.  However planting won't happen for a while as we get very heavy frosts.  Will start the veggies off in the green house.

I'll stop there Amy, as not only will you be studying, exercising and cooking, you'll be out gardening as well.  This forum has a habit of starting new hobbies.

[maddy]

I'm a peeler too    just can't help myself!

Re: the foxlights....fantastic, haven't lost any lambs since.  We have the alpacas with lambs in one paddock, and our expensive sheep lambing in paddock beside the house (with no alpacas present).  I think it's wise to move the light around in different positions, and make sure you have the right amount of lights required for the number of sheep you have.

[maddy]

My grandpa just used to shoot foxes

Yes....but they come back when your snug in your bed 

[DizzyGirl]

I ran one over the other day. One less fox 

Thanks for the feedback on the foxlights maddy. Will let DH know.
DG x

[Halex]

I peel everything too.

Loved baked potatoes in the jackets, not sure about mash with skins.

Maybe shoud give it a go, or any veg. Yes I peel pumpkin, its hard work.

 

[maddy]

Thanks for the feedback on the foxlights maddy. Will let DH know.
DG x

What else do you sell DG?.....any egg incubators by any chance?

[DizzyGirl]

No incubators maddy they are hard to find. Will ask at my conference this weekend.

My friend got hers from Ebay and is happy with it. I can get those details too for you.

God knows what we will sell after the conference and trade shows 

[obbie]

don't you just love trade shows. What is your for DG

[DizzyGirl]

Our produce/stockfeed/pet supply/gardening/tool shop.