My copy arrived yesterday and I've reached chapter 3 which starts with earwigs. These wonderful tiny maternal insects have long been a favourite of mine, but I didn't know that they are omnivores and eat a large number of critters which are pests to us, such as aphids. I have never understood why earwigs are so reviled and persecuted, and having read this section of the book, I understand this hatred even less.
I have a happy memory of our postie Andrew collecting his weekly box of eggs from our honesty box. He set off back to his van and had a peep on the way to see which colours he had that week. When an earwig waved at him in a friendly way from amongst the eggs, he promptly dropped the box with a screech, smashing all but one of the eggs. He looked around sheepishly in case anyone had noticed but fortunately he didn't see me.
. I did tease him mercilously next time I saw him
I am really enjoying this book and I'm very glad I forked out the £11 for it as I shall be referring back to it many times. Had I known though that there's not a single illustration in there, then I would probably have got the Kindle version instead (shame on me!)
So far I agree with everything he says, and all chimes with what we are trying to achieve here in our gardens and smallholding.
Going by what I have read so far, I do recommend the book, as did Anke, to anyone remotely interested in growing their own food and in running a smallholding. Mind you, I have many more chapters to go.