The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Teasel on July 19, 2012, 03:35:13 pm

Title: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Teasel on July 19, 2012, 03:35:13 pm: Hi,

Just about to move to the west coast of Scotland to take over a very large kitchen garden and numerous allotments. so any help with peaty soil, vegetables, wild weather or anything else you feel I might need to know would be great.
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Brucklay on July 19, 2012, 03:41:19 pm: Welcome from Aberdeenshire - remember those rainproofs :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Beewyched on July 19, 2012, 03:48:44 pm: Hi & welcome from West Scotland :wave:
Been here for nearly 3 years, from South Wales - essential piece of kit - wellies & waterproofs & that's just in the "summer" ::) ;)
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Hermit on July 19, 2012, 03:50:06 pm: The west coast around Gairloch is were we wanted to be originally but we could not find any land! Good luck to you in all you do and Hi from Shetland.
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Rosemary on July 19, 2012, 04:11:41 pm: Hello and welcome from Carnoustie :wave:
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Victorian Farmer on July 19, 2012, 04:22:16 pm: welcome from the highlands best month west coast September been in Scotland 17 yares winter starts 31 October first snows 2ND week off October haw cold minus 20 most snow 2010 3ft 26th November haw warm 26 tops have a nice day.
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Factotum on July 19, 2012, 05:30:04 pm: Hi from Moray

Don't forget the midge spray :innocent:

Sue
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: sabrina on July 19, 2012, 06:58:43 pm: Hi from Gamrie, you will love Scotland we are a great bunch :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave:
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: HappyHippy on July 19, 2012, 07:12:14 pm: Hello from me in South Lanarkshire :wave:

Avon 'Skin so soft' is a great midgie repellent ;)
Look forward to hearing lots more from you.
Karen x
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: goosepimple on July 19, 2012, 07:44:32 pm: and hello from the scottish borders.
bring lots of vests, hot water bottles, wellies and porridge (or porrage if yer english) welcome, west coast is beautiful.
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Anke on July 19, 2012, 09:00:43 pm: Hi welcome to Scotland.

I just saw in the local bookshop a book that may be helpful for you: "Fruit & Vegetables for Scotland", authors Kenneth Cox & Caroline Beaton, ISBN: 978-178027-0463, it was 20 quid in the shop, I haven't amazoned the title yet so don't know yet if cheaper on Amazon.
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: tizaala on July 20, 2012, 06:47:59 am: "Fruit & Vegetables for Scotland", ? Is that a Mars bar boiled in Irn Bru? :innocent:
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Beewyched on July 20, 2012, 08:18:08 am: Nah - deep fried pizza ;) ;D
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: bloomer on July 20, 2012, 08:34:08 am: haven't tried deep fried pizza yet, friends keep trying to convince me the deep fried mars bar is a good idea, not convinced...

i came to scotland, from the midlands and i have to say i'm loving it everyone has made us so welcome...
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Beewyched on July 20, 2012, 08:43:27 am: Yep, our Celtic Cousins are a brill bunch of folks. We moved up here from Wales 3 years ago & have made some great friends up here - you know who you are :-*
Better still, got loadsa "extended family" on TAS too ;D
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Teasel on July 20, 2012, 02:08:42 pm: Thanks for that everyone, waterproofs at the ready and I'll try and stay away from the Mars bars! Thanks Anke, I'll take a look at that. Anyone know anything about peat soil?!!
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: robert waddell on July 20, 2012, 08:12:26 pm: you can grow fantastic potatoes in it :farmer:
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Herdygirl on July 20, 2012, 09:31:12 pm: Cats love it ;)
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Anke on July 20, 2012, 10:01:00 pm: Quote from: Teasel on July 20, 2012, 02:08:42 pm
Thanks Anke, I'll take a look at that. Anyone know anything about peat soil?!!

I think they covered that in the book, but I didn't have too much time to look through it - especially as I then didn't buy it.... :innocent: . It is 16 quid, free delivery on Amazon.

PS.: I have been in Scotland for over 20 years now - still not tried deep fried mars bars or pizza, and still can't stand (even the smell) of either vinegar or brown sauce on chips....
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Lesley Silvester on July 23, 2012, 04:48:01 pm: :wave: Hi and welcome from sunny Shropshire. I lived for 11 years on Isle of Arran of the west coast of Scotland. Peaty soil holds water and goes sour. You need to add lots and lots of manure/compost.
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: ppd on July 23, 2012, 06:50:23 pm: :wave: Hi and welcome from Sutherland. Get bugwear jackets, for midges - best thing ever invented ;D Haven't got 'up and running' with veggies, so no tips on peaty soil, but the west coast is the most beautiful place in the world - when it is not raining or midge infested! Enjoy!
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Chris H on July 23, 2012, 07:10:19 pm: Hi from Lewis, 'Smidge' lotion is great for the midges and keep tender bits covered, and tie stuff down when it starts to blow ;) the skies are beautiful and the people are pretty good to :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: tobytoby on July 24, 2012, 09:52:45 am: Hi and welcome from North Ayrshire. :wave:
No peaty soil - just very wet soil.
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Ina on July 25, 2012, 09:21:28 am: You'll need some lime if you want to grow brassicas.

And be prepared for setbacks; after the second miserable summer in a row, I know folk who are just about ready to give up growing veg; hardly been able to get onto the ground for planting and weeding - and what's been planted is either eaten by slugs or rotting away in the wet ground.

But next summer might be better! ;)
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: goosepimple on July 25, 2012, 09:30:59 am: hmmm.....summer.....i remember we had one once.....sure it was on Scotland Today.....na.....I might be wrong.....
Title: Re: Moving to Scotland
Post by: Mammyshaz on July 25, 2012, 11:07:22 pm: Hello and welcome from durham :wave: