Learning from the old fokl

[sandy]

How many of you, after getting your first allotment have learnt things from the old folk ( or young ) that go against averything you`re read in books?, Before I got mine, I shared with a man who`s family had had the allotment for over eighty years and I was astonished to see him transplanting beetroot. Everything I had read said it couldn`t be done. It can. I do it every year now. The transplanted ones are a few weeks behind the original ones but every bit as good. Any more abvice that can`t be learnt from books?.

[terrier]

Hi, Sandy. If you stick around here for a while, you'll hear more tips than you thought could possibly exist. It's an amazing Wikigarden.

[Two_Sheds]

I find most of the stuff that was "gospel" just doesn't stand up ... then again, I love discovering new old tips, like sowing multiple seeds of onion, beet etc in cell trays then transplanting "as one" - the growing plants force each other apart, much like shallots do. No more careful spacing out! (thanks, Geoff Hamilton)

[Chiana]

Knowing virtually nothing about growing veg at the beginning of the year, I consider myself to be very privileged to have learned from the many experts on this forum, in fact, a quick search normally answers any questions I have, leaving the need to read books or even Google redundant. Thanks to all those who have given me the benefit of their many years of knowledge, whether from their own experience, or that passed down from family, or the old boy at the allotment!

[carlseawolf]

I find forums like this and the general internet a great scource of information about the subject of gardening and especially growing veg. On the internet you get a whole lot of ( old boy ) to seek advice from and can take or leave what you want , where as at the allotment there will be the regular guru to put you straight even if you don't want the advice , and easy grow books can give you all the knowledge you need to start without 20 years under your belt.

[rustylady]

I learnt my gardening from a real old boy. My Grandad, bless him, used to take me with him when he did his garden and allotment (I was around 4 or 5 years old). He was lovely and gave me my own little bed (a good one, not like the weedy, shady ones children usually get given), so my seeds and plants actually grew well. I've carried on learning ever since, and now the climate appears to be changing I think we will have to carry on learning and adjusting what we grow and how we do it. Grandad grew the usual staple veggies and fruits, I don't think he ever tried tomatoes, chillies or aubergines but I don't think my Nan ever had to buy vegetables. There are many good reference books available too, but I think the main thing is to be open to new ideas, try them and see if they work for you.