Beginer gardeners

[Percy T]

Well I have only been a member of this forum for a short time, and only really got into gardening recently.

I have always like the idea of gardening however have always had too much to do to really make a difference in the garden.

Now that I have an allotment and have decided to grow my own veg and try to get the front and back garden into some reasonable order, I have discovered how little I know.

During the times when I have been too busy really to do much else then cut the poor excuse for a lawn and weed a little and the front and back gardens havent really changed since we moved here sixteen years ago. I have been an keen watcher of gardeners world and purchased numerous mags over the years.

The only trouble is they all seem to expect some level of knowledge. This forum has proved invaluable to me and I read the post regularly, but still feel I need more help.

There are so many gardening programmes on the tv at the moment however I cant settle with any of them whilst they are all very interesting they are not helping me in my aim to become a good gardener I only seem to gleen a few tips but not starting at the begining.

If I could have a wish I would love to see a sort of beginers guide to gardening it would be fantastic for me as a new allotmenteer to see a beginer obtain an allotment and work through a year learning. I think that would be fab.

Like to hear your thoughts on this

you know if I hadnt had learnt to cook by my mums side, I'd watch Delia.

[Two_Sheds]

I'd always pick a book over TV, myself. Get yourself a copy of any of the recommendeds (see previous Threads): I'd recommend Carol Klein's for starters. the only way to learn is by doing though: just get growing! Start with easy stuff: potatoes, salad, beans. Some things will work, others won't, it doesn't really matter.

[Percy T]

Thank two shed

i too have numerous books, however sometimes things seem to get a little muddled in my head (no am not blonde) think its old age creaping in.

TV is a fantastic medium and just think it would be great if there was something along the lines of Delia's learn to cook series.

If it can be done for cooking it can be done for gardening and come on lets face it, it would reach people not even thinking of gardening or allotmenteering thats got to be a good thing.

[Snadger]

I've been gardening for 30 years Percy T, and I'm still a beginner!

[Percy T]

tee hee snadger

Ive been cooking for over 30 years and is still a beginner the truth is you are never to old to learn something new.

[shirlthegirl43]

Know exactly what you mean Percy T.

My mum had a lovely veg garden when we were kids and bar weeding onions and finding the end result I had no clue till I started growing my own last year. I bought 'The Vegetable and Herb Expert' by Dr D G Hessayon (on recommendation) and started from that - growing what I thought would be interesting and good to eat at the end. Didn't have much success last year but learned so much. The family are more involved this year and we all await the first bucket of spuds with eager anticipation as they were the biggest success along with tomatoes and cucumbers last year. I kept a big book of notes and use that for reference along with Dr H.

My biggest tips are enjoy it and consider the first year as a steep learning curve.

[Percy T]

Thanks Shirley

I am really really enjoying it cant wait to get down the alloment in the morning and every morning have breakfast with my seedlings, check their progress at least twice a day, yes I know I am very eager, thing is am not sure what to expect so every day at the moment is like fantastic.

My mum too had veg in the back garden but we were never allowed to help or maybe be in reality we didnt want to.

[shirlthegirl43]

My mum too had veg in the back garden but we were never allowed to help or maybe be in reality we didnt want to.

LOL - I don't remember volunteering to weed the onions!!! Can anyone explain why the weeds that grow round the onions all smell like onions? I also recall mum sending me to pick brussel sprouts once - took me ages to realise that the darned things grew on the stalks like a bunch of warts!

By the way, my neighbour used to live in Croydon.

[Alice]

Hello Percy, I don't think you can get one big picture of all you need to know about gardening. We all build our own wee body of knowledge gained from our personal experience and hints and tips picked up from others. If you just do your gardening based on what you know and what you want it will all fall into place - successes and failures the same as the rest of us. You can build on your own experience year by year. Just enjoy it. Happy gardening.

[nick the grief]

The day you stop learning Percy is the day they box you up !!

[Percy T]

all very true alice and nick, and I realise you cant make an omelette without breaking an egg, but feel such a novice at gardening

I remember watching Geoff Hamltion on gardener world he was my fav, explained everything in simple terms, and never made you feel foolish.

I cant get on with Gardeners world now or the grow your own programme at all.

may be after all the years of drinking wine has addled my brain.

ohhh another thought wine making that sounds fab but better get some produce growing first.

[nick the grief]

I must admit it was Geoff Hamilton that got me gardening - My dad tried for years with no success I htink it was his sheer enthusiasm that helped.

The best advice is to ask,eother here or on your lotty site. You may look a fool for a minute but at least you'll know, if you don't ask you'll stay a fool ( ancient warwickshire proverb )

[Flummery]

Geoffrey Smith did a programme on veg growing years ago - started simple and assumed no previous knowledge. I think it was called Mr Smith's vegetable Garden - or something similar. It would bear repeating.

[Percy T]

Nick

Trust me I give the wise old gardeners who gather on a sunday morning down the allotments a good laugh with my silly questions.

Not that I mind I like the thought of interacting with them, I think they are great and they think I am a silly woman who know nothing about gardening or veg growing, they are not wrong.

[Percy T]

maybe we could campaign for re runs of Geoff hamilton on gardeners world