really old style living?

smileyt_2

Can bees just live on sugar, then? Don't they need anything else - I mean like vitamins or minerals, like we do? I know nothing about bees, perhaps I should stop being lazy and go and do some research rather than just asking you!

ceridwen

I gather urban bees do have a lot better time of it these days actually - precisely because of the variety of different things available to them. My tiny back garden is full already of food growing - don't think I'd have the nerve to have some bees out there somehows personally. I do think, in principle, that its a good idea for anyone who possibly can to have some - and gather that they don't need much space - its possible to keep some even on a balcony (for anyone who has the nerve to - errr..unlike me then..).

ginnyknit

I have to say hippeechiq you hit the nail on the head. I suppose we have to accept its part of the system but we have both paid our fair share into the system over the years. Anyway, Im off to pack my O/S picnic and provisions for our hols and will be leaving in a couple of hours. Got my knitting and my new (reduced at Mr T) watercolour pencils and pad. Hope everyone is ok and will enjoy catching up on here when I get back from Sunny Newcastle.:j

mama67

Have a lovely thime Ginnyknit

maryb

The only reason I grow tomatoes is to make chutney - they never ripen for me or if they do they are as tough as old boots so have to be skinned and used for cooking anyway. But green tomato chutney is yummy

maryb

oops wrong thread s/b on the Tough thread (sooo confusing having 4 or 5 tabs open at once)

shaz_mum_of__2

mardatha wrote: »

The RV thinks everybody in here is as mad as a box of frogs. Inc me. The son who lives near, god I wish he would help, I even thought of asking for one days labour as my birthday pressie - but since my birthday is at Xmas that wouldnt be much good LOL! unless it was shovelling snow.
I think that is the problem annie - if I could get it sorted then maintainance is easy, its just setting it up is hard. We been in here 21-22 years and the garden was always just grass with borders, because we werent interested in it and busy working.
And yes, I should offer "working holidays in the glorious Scottish moorlands " if you can fit into my shed. :rotfl:

Not quite up to speed on this thread but had to tell you about wooof -ing ignore the organic farm label anyone can apply you get 6hrs a day free labour in return for board and lodgings , in your part of the world you would be inundated with volunteers , i think theres a £30 fee to join but thats it and would cost less than paying someone to help for a few hrs .

http://www.wwoof.org.uk/

One of our smallholders has had a stream of volunteers since spring staying in their very basic caravan

Gigervamp

There's an article in the September issue of Home Farmer about wwoof. I'd never heard of it until it was mentioned over on the Downsizer forum. A few people over there have used it and recommend it.

shaz_mum_of__2

I think the name puts people off as it implies you have to be a farmer with an organic farm, might help with the chippendale fantasy from page 37 (ish)

I guess volunteers get a cheap holiday out of it and many student travel around in a GAP year from farm to farm paying only travel costs

ceridwen

Yep...all in favour of WWOOF'ing:D:T.

Only reason I havent gotten round to it personally is down to the fact that I think I might not be "up to scratch" for the level of physical labour involved - but it is certainly a very good idea.