What would you say?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Id say with a nasal tone 'You dont want to do it like that, you want to do it like this!'

but that's how you say everything

[Aberdeenplotter]

I think it's important to remember that if you offer advise to somebody who hasn't asked your opinion then it's hardly surprising that you get ignored a fair amount of the time as to the advisor it's well meaning help but to the person who's in receipt of the advice it's some annoying person sticking their nose in like that old bloke in the Harry Enfield sketch from years back

Yups but planting onions sets upside down is pretty basic if not plain stupid.

[donnakebab]

There's a 'newbie' family on the plot next to me, though this is their second season. The plot is overgrown with various weeds as it was last year. I didn't see much of them last year and haven't seen them at all this year and considering we've had such a lovely weekend I did think it might inspire them to get stuck in.

Last year I advised them to cover any area that they cleared of weeds until they were ready to plant. I also advised them to put some nutrition back in to the soil because they plot hadn't been worked for a few years. They planted potatoes, a couple of spindly tomatoes, a courgette, cucumber and a pepper. They didn't earth up or even water. I watered for them while they swanned off to France for about 6 weeks.I think he's a school headmaster or something. Haven't seen them since so that was about June last year. I was surprised when I found out that they paid the rent again back in October.

I don't think I'll be giving any advice unless they ask...if I see them at all!

There are still 2 people on our waiting list. I think the plots should be turned around more quickly when a tenant fails to make any difference to a plot in that amount of time.

[Two_Sheds]

On here, it's easier to give advice when its not wanted Personal feelings and relationships don't come into it so much online, as face to face.

My poor neighbour, who keeps rotavating his couch grass: every time it pops up, he rotavates again. I did, diplomatically, say things like "oh, I had loads of that, I had to dig it all out" and "don't ever chop it up or you'll get more plants".
I have even offered to help him dig it out one bit at a time

My other neighbour is forever hoeing, probably 6 hrs a day: he likes a lot of bare earth. His paths are always weedy, always blowing seeds across to mine. Probably he thinks my plot is weedy too (they're green manures, not weeds)

I don't say anything. I've learned (painfully) over the years that (a lot of) men don't like being given advice from small gobby women. They're men!

[Creemteez]

Oh, come on, Pisk! Whatdidhedo?? Whatdidhedo????!!!!
...and before all you chaps leap on me (go on - I dare ya! ) for assuming the person in question is male, I'm pretty sure Piskie said she was the only girl "in the village".

[bearded bloke]

I don't say anything. I've learned (painfully) over the years that (a lot of) men don't like being given advice from small gobby women. They're men!

Ermmmmmmmmmm,I for one listen & respond to advise given from any source male or female,in fact I have just looked ALL my reference books & without exception they are FEMALE authors.

[Alison]

They didn't earth up or even water. I watered for them while they swanned off to France for about 6 weeks.

I don't earth up or water my outdoor crops when they're up and running and would acutally be quite annoyed if somebody else did on my behalf if I'd not asked them to do so in advance.

There are still 2 people on our waiting list. I think the plots should be turned around more quickly when a tenant fails to make any difference to a plot in that amount of time.

I'd agree about plot turn around, there are two plots on our site which have never really been cultivated in the whole time I've been there and another one which has been empty a year since the previous plot holder had to give it up due to poor health.

[Farmer_Gyles]

sometimes it's better not to get involved unless asked .... people will learn from their mistakes ....

[zazen999]

Oh, come on, Pisk! Whatdidhedo?? Whatdidhedo????!!!!

Flippin heck - will we EVER find out.

C'mon - spill!

[Florence Fennel]

I think I'd say (in a tactful and diplomatic tone) - "Mmm, I thought about doing it like that when I first started, but an experienced grower told me the best way to do it"

[mothhawk]

"The most difficult thing in the world is to know how to do a thing and to watch somebody else doing it wrong, without comment" --T. H. White

[boosmummy]

As a new gardener, i would appreciate someone telling me i was doing it wrong and telling me how to do it right xx

[piskieinboots]

erm, oops - I'm ashamed to say I forgot this post and even more ashamed to say I got it wrong!!

I thought the chap in question was planting garlic 'high' but it wasn't it was onions - and I really should wear my glasses!!

[veggiechicken]

So what did he say when you told him?

[zazen999]

erm, oops - I'm ashamed to say I forgot this post and even more ashamed to say I got it wrong!!

I thought the chap in question was planting garlic 'high' but it wasn't it was onions - and I really should wear my glasses!!

Oh dear. It's not even the season for garlic - he's months too late. Shall I come over and run that course for you Pisk?