Mental health campaigner, Amber (aka Budget Jones) follows up her last blog for us by writing about the trials, tribulations and eventual successes of organising a family get together on a budget… As a Jones, it may not surprise you that I have a rather large family (my dad alone has 29 first cousins). So …
We (at the Guild of Ocabreeders) are a group of scientists, farmers and gardeners working together on a plant breeding project designed to increase food security. The original idea for the project came from Dr. Owen Glyn Smith; better known as Rhizowen. His blog Radix has been a focus for a lot of people working …
GROW OCA AND GET INVOLVED IN A CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT Read More »
I’ve already looked at the easiest contenders in part 1 and how to save seed from the likes of pea, tomato, pepper, lettuce and bean but what about other edibles? I remember when I first got into seed saving for my Guardian gardening blog a few years back, the funny reaction I got from some …
LET’S GET SEEDY – part 2 more edibles worth trying Read More »
Our kitchen is so loud. It is where we all work, play, cook and do our thing. Over the last few days this room has also become our office. The table has turned into a humming, heaving mess of computers, pens, papers and pencils as Anthony and I work on our new project. During all …
The UNSCHOOLERS – raising entrepreneurial, tech savvy kids Read More »
Why not consider saving some of your own this growing season? There’s nothing new about seed saving. It used to be an integral part of the gardening calendar as local varieties would be lovingly saved and passed through generations of families and communities. So whilst it’s undoubtedly very convenient in the cold (or rain) of …
I campaign for health, mental health in particular on the Isle of Wight (where I live). When I first contacted my local MP in 2014 he replied (along the lines of) he wasn’t aware there was a problem on the island… I replied to him that people with mental health issues are some of the …
On campaigning for mental health on the Isle of Wight Read More »
Welcome back to Elefante he be Cookin’ ! This is my festive edition at this special time when our days are filled with the Baby Jesus and the over consumption of our favourite boozes. So just in case you’re having problems getting as drunk as you would like I’m going to teach you Elefante’s Mull(er)ed …
Elefante he be cookin’!! Merry Mull(er)ed Wine! … Read More »
I’m starting to get in the festive spirit so a packet of Mr Kipling mince pies caught my eye as I was food shopping the other day. I thought about buying the no doubt exceedingly tasty cakes until I remembered the British Hen Welfare Trust’s feather campaign and … didn’t. You see the charity is …
How to make exceedingly good free range mince pies Read More »
You know those rogue Christmas gifts or rich leftovers that you ‘simply can’t have another mouthful of’ but don’t want to throw away? Heavy fruit cakes from Auntie Flatulence, booze laden puddings from Great Uncle Gout, or big lumps of marzipan that you don’t know what the hell to do with? I bring you bombombs …
Easy Christmas bombombs – mini leftover cakes that pack a posher punch Read More »
The humble pallet; what a brilliant, versatile and (perhaps best of all), free material. Of course they can also be used in a myriad of ways in the home but today I want to look at some of the easiest methods for their use in and around your garden or allotment. First off, getting hold …
