CON T EN TS WHAT’S INSIDE? ontents 03 THE EDITOR’S BIT Paul ponders… c e u s s i y a M 06 NEWS AND EVENTS Home Farmer related news and events. 61 A SMALLHOLDER’S DIARY Dot Tyne’s diary includes preparations for the lambing course and the installation of solar panels. 10 IN THE KITCHEN GARDEN John Harrison’s COVER STORY seasonal round-up, and his top tips for great runner beans. 66 BUILDING A BEEHIVE ROOF AND FLOOR Claire Waring builds a flatpack beehive roof and floor. 15 SMALL-SPACE GARDENING Mike Clark’s ‘back to basics’ easy guide to growing spuds in tubs. 20 A SALAD FOR ALL SEASONS Kate Collyns shows how COVER STORY to grow fresh salad leaves all year round. 24 BRITISH SPICE Elizabeth McCorquodale COVER STORY grows exotic spices in the UK, and creates some mouth-watering spice rubs. 29 STRAW BALE GARDENING Mark Abbott-Compton COVER STORY creates a basic straw bale bed to extend his plot space – and even on hard surfaces! 32 DIY GARDEN PROJECT Create an attractive garden COVER STORY bench with storage using little more than pallets. 37 ORGANIC PEST CONTROL Mike Hedges tackles some principal pests that plague our plots, armed only with his organic principles. 40 ONE-POT WONDER Cinead McTernan prepares a delicious Blueberry and Rose Geranium Compote – all grown in one pot! 42 PRODUCT ROUND-UP Our pick of some of the latest gardening innovations for 2015. 4 58 THE AUSTRALORP CHICKEN Stunning in Blue or Black, the Australorp is officially the world’s best-laying pure-breed. 72 LIZZIEB’S MOBILE KITCHEN This month LizzieB visits Northumberland and prepares Pan Haggerty, Pease Pudding and Stotties. 44 MENDING A GATE Our fixer, John Butterworth, repairs a damaged gate using traditional mortise and tenon joints. 76 KOMBUCHA TEA It’s trendy and is said to be healthy, but what is it? Seren Evans-Charrington investigates. 48 FACT OR FABLE? Elizabeth McCorquodale tests the belief that watering in the sun’s heat can burn plants. 80 THE PALEO DIET The Paleo diet harks back to foods our ancient ancestors might have eaten. Dave Hamilton tests the logic. 50 SEASONAL FORAGING David Winnard reveals COVER STORY some of the equipment that helps him make the most of his foraged fare. 54 SUMMER POULTRY Summertime, and the poultry keeping is easy… if you follow Terry Beebe’s guide. 70 e b i r c s b u S 84 SMOKING AND CURING Caroline Pilcher looks at COVER STORY smoking and curing as a way of creating new and innovative tastes and techniques. P88 – WIN A SMOKEHOUSE AND SMOKER KIT, WORTH OVER £1,100! WWW.HOMEFARMER.CO.UK/POSH-SMOKER-COMP 90 NATURE’S MEDICINES Seren Evans-Charrington creates an everyday medicine cabinet, with tinctures, salves and rinses made using natural ingredients. 93 KITCHENALIA Heidi M. Sands checks out the increasing popularity of kitchenware from both the olden days and the more recent past. SAVE OVER 25% 98 SMALLHOLDER GROUP LISTINGS Take out a UK 12-issue subscription by direct debit – only £35! 99 NEXT MONTH What’s in next month’s issue? W W W. H O M E FA R M E R .CO.U K M AY 2015 5