If you’re a newspaper subscriber, using old issues as mulch is a great way to recycle. Shred them and mix them into your compost bin or leave them whole. Lay down a layer of two to four sheets in your garden beds. Once you have placed the layers, water the paper lightly so it st...
I suppose if you’re writing a book about wasting time, empty spaces, messing around and doing nothing at all it goes without saying that you need to waste time, gaze into space, mess about and do nothing at all. I spent most of my day today watching ants. ...
You might suspect that the death of her dear friend would take precedence over the theft of jewelry she inherited from a grandmother that no one really liked, but Sloane is an incredible storyteller and manages to give equal emotional weight to both scenarios while also offering an interesting b...
Today would be a natural day to light the fire. There is a goodly pile of logs in the basket by the fireplace and a trugload of kindling undercover in the wood store at the bottom of the garden. However we are off out this pm so not worth it. There will be another time. Our fr...
If you’ve used all the compost you can in your garden, in potted plants, and on your lawn (and you’ve stored some away for later use), you should have no trouble finding someone to take the remainder of it off your hands. If you have friends, family, or neighbors who garden, ...
(grains, pet food, etc.) on wood pallets. After the reception, they generally throw the pallets away as they consider them a waste. Check with your local food store or pet supply store if you can pick out some of them. In some countries, a store has to pay to get rid of them, ...
method. This is a natural, effective means of pest control (I’ve previously recommended it forfleasandant control). You can find it in garden centers (make sure to buy the food grade stuff). It’s a soft, chalk-like sedimentary rock that is crumbled into a fine white to off-white ...
How can I get bloodworms at home? Add a thin layer of garden soil to each box and a small amount of animal manure. Farm animals produce suitable waste but, obviously, don't use cat or dog feces since these are a health hazard. Top up with rainwater. Stir and slosh it all about wi...
I had invested 13 years in the institution, built up a research group, developed teaching materials that were tried-and-tested, and no-one was trying to get rid of me. On the contrary, at the same time as I was trying to leave, they gave me an award and a performance bonus. I ...
gurt and blackberries we harvested in abundance last autumn and have frozen in batches. What’s not to like. Fruit related conversations this morning did cover the fact that the plumb tree planted against the trellis at the bottom of the garden was not doing the biz and we are considering ...