gardeners world

[lozza_9]

I sort of perversely liked the programme because I think it showed what NOT to do on a new allotment.

But he's supposed to know what he's doing in gardens and I thought a lot of what he said was barmy.

I thought one of the real benefits with allotments is talking to the other plot holders, getting advice - which of course he can accept or not, his call - but badmouthing them the way he did when he was putting his tools away was rude if nothing else.

I don't usually want to see somebody fail or come unstuck when they're gardening but in his case .........

!

Yes I have to agree, I love going to the allotment and saying hello to everyone. I get great advice from them and they are always happy to help me where they can.

Loads of stuff he mentioned I just laughed at, the traingle bed is going to be a nightmare, we had smaller beds and a pain to weed and when a weed started to grow up the side it was really hard to get the weed out. We have now taking out all the bits of wood.

I hope he does fail, mean I know. BUT if it helps other new people then its worth it.

[Flummery]

My beds are regular in size so I can put netting, fleece, whatever over them in ready made frames. Would hate to construct a triangular jobbie! I also wonder if 'someone' will tackle the weeds as they come up so it doesn't look like we all know it would with chopped up baddies in the soil? Will he net - will he get cabbage white damage - is he looking for one of those twee potager type things that you daren't harvest a lettuce from because it spoils the arrangement? Or is he going to turn into a 'real' allotmenteer. No prizes for guessing in my opinion!

[daleclarke]

I thought it was excellent programme, full of helpful tips possibly not from Joe but others that he has chose to ignore. Furthermore, yes he has done Triangle Beds, reminds me a bit of Geoff Hamilton's and isn't a diamond just a Squashed Square, and surely if he uses bricks or something down the middle it will work. I am not for straight lined sowing anyway and seeing the success of veggie plots at RHS Harlow Carr, I have just done small beds with general sowings, easy for me and made it easier for protecting with fleece etc. My allotment friend said they were rubbish, but changed his mind when he saw the way they have turned see my 'my Folia' for my Journals on my musings and images.

As for freebie's its there if you look, Pallets are available from all over, check shops and even Garden Centre's, mainly look for shops that get big items. The biggest thing to do and especially this time of year is skips, just need to ask permission, never been refused yet and actually ended with more stuff when they find out what it is for.

As for free compost, our local council are doing it and when it arrives at our local recycle centre the Jungle Drums are out and it is crowded with prospectors as my wife calls them. I went to our local council viewpoint meeting about this particular subject, and we were advised all councils now have to recycle garden waste, so maybe a phone call is needed in your area to see how and where.

[ClayGarden]

Granted they did make it look easy. But, they did show him start out saying couch grass so wont rotorvate, did double digging for half an hour, then gave up, and out it came. So kind of showed how much work would be needed if you didn't have the machinery backup.

[Flummery]

Can't get it on IPlayer - just isn't there on the Friday night. When I go to the alphabetical list there's an old one there (from Feb) saying it's not available any more - they're only there for 7 days. Have they pulled it because you lot have been bitching! If so - not fair as I haven't had my chance to bitch!

[ratglass]

Ohh you should have seen my husbands face when we were watching it..he actually left the room he got so annoyed at poor Joe!! Have to say I was really looking forward to this series and so far I am disappointed. Agree with most of the comments on here-he made it look too easy-he will pay for using that rotavator -I hope they show that bit!!!

Regards
Ratglass

[muckdiva]

I think any programme giving coverage to allotments is great if only so you can inwardly say "you don't want to do it like that..."!

I just wish they would televise the book Digger's Diary, would be a great basis for a series.