What makes a good blog?

[The poly tunnel poet]

After an afternoon of thinking, typing and deleting I still have a blank screen in my new blog post box. There seemed to be so many things to say, and then suddenly nothing to say.
The few things I found I did write were rubbish and were deleted. It then had me thinking about, what makes for a good blog?
Do I chunter on about nothing much more than what I have achieved that day, or what I hope to achieve the next day?

I mean I went to college in 2010 to 2013 and studied horticulture, qualified at RHS level 2, but at the end of the day it just means I'm a gardener under pressure to get it right and that is far from always the case. No amount of education outsmarts them hungry insects and molluscs after their food.

Do I discuss pests and diseases, which along with an inspired moment watching Harry Dodson, was the reason I wanted to become educated in gardening(horticulture).

I get the system of biological pest control rather than chemical do I discuss that? But then isn't that borderline entomology? So what does make for a good blog? I would be rude to think it is the love of gardening because if that is not a universal reason to stand knee deep in failures and still pursue a goal of growing for food and aesthetic appreciation then I may have missed the whole point.

I would appreciate some tips.

[Jay-ell]

Try not thinking about and see what pops into your head.

Each blog is different because it's a reflection of the INDIVIDUAL writing it. Don't think that it should be done in a certain way because that's the way you've seen others write.

What tickles your interests - you'll write better if it's something that peaks your fancy rather than just doing it for content. Content written from the hear will come across far better.

You could write your first blog post about not knowing what to write about in your first blog post.

Anyway, I'm off to stare at a blank screen as it's months since I wrote anything on my blog.

[veggiechicken]

Who do you hope will read your blog?
Do you want a lot of followers or is it an online record of your day and personal to you. Like a diary?
Somewhere I have a blog but it was never meant to be shared - just somewhere to store photos and comments. Very boring for anyone else! In fact, it was so boring even I fell asleep reading it!
Some blogs are tedious to read - so I don't. They need something to capture my interest and be well written, with a spark of humour - just saying!
Have fun, whatever you choose to do

[sparrow100]

As above really - why do you want to write a blog? For you or for other people?

I write about things that I find interesting, or, diary-style, that I want to remember. If other people want to read it, that's pure jam on top.

I love reading blogs, I like seeing how everyone else grows their stuff as well as what they grow and why, but I always prefer the ones that are written with enthusiasm - after all if you don't think it's fascinating, why should anyone else?

[The poly tunnel poet]

I appreciate your comments and feel I may be rushing before I can walk. Perhaps I should practice writing in threads to learn to get a message across first.See if I may be able to tap into my sense of humour gene too....

I wonder if starting a few threads first might help improve the writing too.

See, as much as I want it for myself if it is read, I would like it to be interesting, too. I should improve my skills.....

thank you guys

[Baldy]

Jay-Ell blog vs sparrow blog vs cadalot blog
Jay's has 'stalled' methinks

I've been practicing with my threads but I think I'm a bit 'meh' for blog - my 'slackness' slightly off kilter viewpoint etc would limit my audience to VC and... ?
sparrows and cadalots blogs are examples of how to do it - they are very different but you can feel the enthusiasm -
I largely turn up at the plot, stuff some spuds into the ground, help someone build a shed, drink a beer (or two) - its not blog worthy - so you need enthusiasm and interesting topics

[Guest]

I think to start of with you may have to force yourself, but I think over time you either stop or find what suits you. I enjoy lots of different blogs but in my opinion general entries work better when kept quite short with the odd pic. Then longer ones on a specific subject.

As already said why do you want to do it? (to keep records or to help others learn from you)

[Cadalot]

Mine was built initially just for me as a journal of my progress, then it started being a resource for me to find things that I found interesting that's why the links on the left of the page are extensive, and growing.

Now I have added a page for each plot as I now have two plots, then came the sowing, planting and harvesting to do page. I'm also gradually adding my seed catalogue as I review what I have and what I'm going to grow.

I'm glad others like it and find it a useful resource.

[sparrow100]

Jay-Ell blog vs sparrow blog vs cadalot blog
Jay's has 'stalled' methinks

I've been practicing with my threads but I think I'm a bit 'meh' for blog - my 'slackness' slightly off kilter viewpoint etc would limit my audience to VC and... ?
sparrows and cadalots blogs are examples of how to do it - they are very different but you can feel the enthusiasm -
I largely turn up at the plot, stuff some spuds into the ground, help someone build a shed, drink a beer (or two) - its not blog worthy - so you need enthusiasm and interesting topics

I suspect it would be very entertaining - I'd read it!

[Jay-ell]

Jay-Ell blog vs sparrow blog vs cadalot blog
Jay's has 'stalled' methinks

I've been practicing with my threads but I think I'm a bit 'meh' for blog - my 'slackness' slightly off kilter viewpoint etc would limit my audience to VC and... ?
sparrows and cadalots blogs are examples of how to do it - they are very different but you can feel the enthusiasm -
I largely turn up at the plot, stuff some spuds into the ground, help someone build a shed, drink a beer (or two) - its not blog worthy - so you need enthusiasm and interesting topics

It's been winter and I've done nowt

[Hazel at the Hill]

I largely turn up at the plot, stuff some spuds into the ground, help someone build a shed, drink a beer (or two) - its not blog worthy - so you need enthusiasm and interesting topics

That sounds hugely blog-worthy to me!

[The poly tunnel poet]

Thank you for your useful comments. I shall hold off for a while and become a more active forum user in hope to garner the skills required, I E taking photographs and uploading them..

[Bigmallly]

I prefer the black text to the green.............that could be a starting point.

[The poly tunnel poet]

That is a valid observation, easier for reading.... ok

[vixylix]

I think it has to grow organically (if you excuse the pun!) or it feels engineered.

Why don't you start with your background, previous highlights and lowlights and your plans for this year and take it from there?