Help with Garden Blog

[meteor]

I need help, but I guess you have all figured that out already! This week I started a two year distance learning course with a horticulture college here in Ireland with the aim of obtaining a qualification in organic horticulture. I attended an induction day on Saturday and what a facility they have. One of the things recommended is to set up a blog as a kind of diary and record my assignments and my horticultural activity. I have been visiting various blogs for years but have no idea of how to set one up, any input would be greatly appreciated.
thanks in advance

[skeggijon]

Why not start with www.blogger.com ? You can set up a free blog and see how you get on, then if the bug takes you, buy some webspace from a site like ipage.com - quite cheap and supplies wordpress included in the price which is a great piece of blog kit

[Guest]

I set up a free wordpress site for something non gardening. I got training at my local library (sit down with someone for an hour and run through the basics).

Is there anywhere near you that you can get help? Wordpress is easy enough it is just that whole initial overwhelming and daunting factor of the 'what the ruddy'ell am I doing?' also when you get stuck you can normal get the answer from a quick gurgle.

[sparrow100]

I did mine (link in signature) on wordpress.com - bought my domain name separately and upgraded so it has no ads and more space for photos. If you go for them and want some help am happy to share the little I know via PM. Obv I know nada about any other blogging site! Apart from choosing a template (aka theme) the hardest bit was working with tags. and building pages, but it wasn't very tricky. Like NG says, lots of the answers are on gurgle.

[veggiechicken]

I started one on Blogspot some years ago - but got bored!!
It was easy to set up and free. Promise you won't laugh!!Giggling in two gardens

[skeggijon]

I love your blog sparrow and now on my browser favourites list

[Martin H]

I did mine on Wordpress, using the free version. I don't update it as often as I mean to, though.

[noviceveggrower]

Could you do your blog on this site or do you have to set up your own blog and domain?

[WilliamD]

Another vote for WordPress here. Once you get the basic concept of pages and posts it's all pretty easy going.

[craftymarie]

I would definitely recommend starting off with a free option such as the free Wordpress or blogger because so many people start with good intentions and it dwindles out at some point. I have used wordpress, typepad and blogger over the years and I always go back to blogger. That's my personal preference though. You can get custom domain names for all of those I believe.

The hardest thing about it is not starting - it's carrying on If you particularly enjoy writing as I do then it is fun rather than a chore. And it's nice when comments and traffic finally start picking up.

[sparrow100]

Definitely echo starting with the free versions of whatever you go for. And I'd start it on private view, rather than public, just so can happily mess about with structure.

I love reading other people's blogs and seeing what other people do/grow.

[sparrow100]

I love your blog sparrow and now on my browser favourites list

Aww thanks!

Am off to read Martin's and VC's now...

[veggiechicken]

Don't bother with mine, Sparrow. There's nothing worth reading.

[NatalieCooke]

I'm planning on starting a blog in a couple of weeks.
I've bought my domain name just need to have a play around with the layouts.
I found Instagram really enjoyable I love looking at other peoples gardens!

[meteor]

Gosh, thanks everyone for your help, lots of ideas to consider.