Things i will do different next year..

[fwuffydragon]

Next year I will not grow anything I don't like just to see how it grows! - And then run out of space for the things I do like!

So true. I am also guilty of this, but I'm learning ...

One experimental crop at a time is now my limit.

[HappyMouffe]

I will get myself into gear earlier. A change in job meant I got behind on everything, and whereas this time last year the allotment was bountiful, this year it's rather bare

[Kayt]

Next year I'm going to say no to the cricket team that need a scorer, coach for the kids or tea made and go to the lottie much more.

[Kristen]

"I will also remember to label better, and include the planting date"

I write the date on the [remains of the] packet, which I keep indoors. I fine that more convenient to refer to, rather than going out to the veg garden and pulling up the label. Only really applies if sowing the whole packet though, doesn't work so well for weekly successional sowings!!

[Mrs Jackson]

Just thought of some more. Next year:

- I will make sure that all the planters have drainage holes in, so I don't end up with blossom end rot on the tomatoes from them being alternately too wet/too dry
- I will not leave plastic cloches on everything on sunny days if I'm going out (just got back from the park with the boys and have had to dump all the chillies in the paddling pool to stop them keeling over)
- I will make sure that plants are suitably protected from the boys. I'm sure a 1 year old and a 3 year old are capable of doing just as much damage as the slugs and caterpillars combined!

Mrs J

[Birdie Wife]

Next year I will not leave the fruit un-netted, thinking the blackbirds will only take a fair share and I'll have plenty left.

I will label everything.

I will plant more overwintering stuff and keep it covered up until mid-May.

I will not stick to my plans!! I had a plan and more or less threw it away this year, and I've had the best year so far!!

[Wren]

Next year i will be more fussy about what i put in the compost bin and i will 'NOT' compost the seed heads from the pesky 'Love in a mist' flowers.

Every time i use a handful of my lovely home grown compost round my veg, lots of ' love in a mist' seedlings spring up from it too.

Its keeping me very busy with the hoe

Wren

[di]

Next year i will be more fussy about what i put in the compost bin and i will 'NOT' compost the seed heads from the pesky 'Love in a mist' flowers.

Every time i use a handful of my lovely home grown compost round my veg, lots of ' love in a mist' seedlings spring up from it too.

Its keeping me very busy with the hoe

Wren

I'd just let'm grow!!They're pretty!We've got loads of self seeded Godetia around the plot~if it's in the way we move it or plant around it!
THINGS I'LL DO DIFFERENTLY:~
As many others label all seedlings AS SOON as sown!
Not wait til July to decide I need to sow more parsnip~but I'v been saying that for 4 yrs now!
Ensure all slugs/snails/catterpillars are removed from lettuces BEFORE bringing into kitchen & let them make a new feeding place in the fridge!!
Steal Mrs Dobby's idea of caned water bottles at each & every courgette/pumpkin.
Not need to move house whilst really I should've been preparing the ground ready for overwintering manure & be in pristine shape for spring.
Sure there's a million more so will prob be back!!

[Kristen]

"Steal Mrs Dobby's idea of caned water bottles at each & every courgette/pumpkin."

Wot'zat then please?

[TinyT]

Hopefully next time, I'd like to see how I get along with a budget, also probably more water collection, introduce a few mulching ideas and try increasing the compost amounts.

[di]

"Steal Mrs Dobby's idea of caned water bottles at each & every courgette/pumpkin."

Wot'zat then please?

My translation would be:~when planting said squash half bury an upturned plastic bottle(lid off & bottom cut off!)near the root,then pop a cane inside with a can on top to make locating easier once the squash have done their major growing thing,hence being able to water & feed in the right place as opposed to what I do & struggle amongst the mass of prickly leaves to try & work out where the monster originated!!(& then end up guessing!)
Cheers Mrs Dobby for the idea & hope I've Explained/translated it right!!

[Mrs Dobby]

Yep, thats the idea andi&di, but its not my idea, I'm sure I read it on the vine somewhere!

[kentvegplot]

Next year I will get the bird scaring devices in the garden BEFORE the starlings have most of the apple crop

I will also tell the OH where I'd planted the mint before he strims it.....

[susieq100]

I too will invest in a marker pen and millions of those label stick things! I will also not plan zillions of brassicas because "half of them are bound to fail" - when they don't you're overwhelmed with cauliflowers. I will stagger plantings of beans - I do love them but I don't want frenchies and runners all at the same time - I will plant more lettuce and fewer carrots - oh so many lessons to learn.

[mamas-inc]

next year i will get more orgnised and also put more stable runner bean supports as mine have just blown over and lost most of the plants!!!