Home Farmer Magazine September 2017 Edizione posteriore

Welcome to the September issue of Home Farmer, your complete key to practical self-sufficiency. This month we address a number of important concerns for growers and livestock keepers including growing brassicas after an attack of clubroot; dealing with that particularly unpleasant poultry pest, red mite; tackling limited space by creating a container orchard; and checking out different ways to protect your plot from deer – a growing problem for growers in rural locations and on the edges of many towns. We also try to get to grips with the complex subject of self-sufficiency – something all-too-often associated with smallholding, but in truth just one of many reasons why people choose to do it, and we make the most of this year’s crop with some berry wines, a kohlrabi masterclass; instructions on turning comb into saleable honey; and making the most of the autumn wild medicinal harvest. In addition we have secured an impressive masterclass in crafting top-class éclairs – and I use the word ‘crafting’ accurately here – from baking fanatic, Philip Friend, and an interesting interview with the Green Party’s agriculture spokesperson, Oliver Dowding, who addresses a number of the important topics of the day for anyone with an interest in how our food is produced. At just £2.99 it’s an investment with a fab return for Philip’s wonderful éclairs alone – a great way to reward yourself or a loved one after a hard day’s graft, when something goes awry, or when you simply feel like pampering your palate.