GYO Question...

[Emma Ward]

Hello everyone,

Hope you're all having a good week. I was wondering if you could help me with something...

You're a knowledgeable bunch, this goes without saying. But, sometimes there must be growing related problems that leave you scratching your head. Obviously one of the best things about this forum is the way in which you support each other when it comes to diagnosing problems.

This leads me to my question(s) I'd like to know which other avenues of information you use to find out what's wrong with your plants. What is it about this forum that works so well for you? Do you use other sites? Which books do you find useful? How about television and radio, do these help with veg growing puzzlers? What about more experienced gardeners you count as friends or relatives? Has this information enabled you to save failing plants?


I'm really looking forward to hearing where you go to for help Your responses may be edited and published in the August issue of Grow Your Own!

Thanks
Emma

[Nicos]

Hope you too have a lovely BH weekend Emma!

To get the ball rolling...

We only kept very old tools in our shed on the lottie. Nothing I'd be too bothered about if they were stolen
The only sheds which were targeted on our site were the newer looking ones.
Most people didn't lock their sheds so someone could open up- see there was nothing much worth stealing- and move on.
We found that things which tended to be taken from sheds were car boot sale quality or better. Old stuff tended to be left.

Theft of crops didn't happen very often.
We had one main lockable gate to prevent car access to which every lottie holder held a key.

[Flummery]

Nicos, I think you've answered the wrong question!

[jacob marley]

Nicos, I think you've answered the wrong question!

I think it is called a blond moment i will get my coat...jacob

[Nicos]

I think it is called a blond moment ... i will get my coat...jacob

How on earth did you know I'm blonde??? ( well - sort of!!

DARN..Emma- too many questions...blame it on todays spammers!!

[Nicos]

OK- I've reposted..now come on folks..your turn!!!

( me ..Google ...after 'our very excellent search facility' as Two_Sheds quite accurately describes it!!!

oh and my fav books are by Dr D G Hessayon
..although they do not give as much detail on ecological alternatives for pest control as I would like to see.

[SarzWix]

Hessayon's Vegetable Expert book to try and work out what the problem might be, then here, or Google, to find out the best way of dealing with it. As Nicos said, Hessayon's answer to everything seems to be chemical

Mostly, I prefer to ask on the Grapevine because I'm almost guaranteed a variety of experiences and solutions and so can decide the best way to suit my preferences and circumstances.

[binley100]

I tend to ask / search on here first as there's usually someone around who can help. Then there's google and books. Vegetable Expert is quite good at identifying the problem but I prefer then to try and find out a more natural cure.

[crazii_c]

im a lone gardener! i dont know anyone else near me that grows their own veg, so this site is really useful to me because its like my own gardening community where i can learn from other peoples knowledge and experience. i also use books to teach me the basics about each type of veg and what to be sowing when throughout the year.

[snakeshack]

I tend to ask other people at the allotment first as there are a lot of knowledgeable people there,then I use google or bing to check how much they knew,the local horticultural society is a wealth of information too as well as being a cheap source of plants & supplies.You can usually talk to the person who raised the plants too for specific local knowledge on cultivation .

[reetnproper]

The thing about this particular forum is that no matter how daft a question or obvious an answer ( although an answer is only obvious if you know it), the replies Grapes give are always supportive and informative and not patronising.

Also, no matter how 'new' to the forum or gardening you are, if you give an opinion or suggestion in answer to another Grapes' post, it's just as gratefully recieved and so you feel part of the Vine right from the start.

As for finding out information or identifying problems, I use several gardening books and the Vine. I often find that just by doing a search and then reading through past posts can help with whatever problem/question I have, without my having to start a new topic. I'm also quite surprised by just how much knowledge I've picked by regular reading of current threads as well.

Reet
x

[Helgalush]

I tend to come on here first - start with a quick search using the search button, then if nothing comes up that really answers my Q, or if I am particularly short of time, I will start a new thread. ALWAYS get very helpful answers on here from friendly knowledgeable folk!

I also do general google searches, or use websites that have info about companion planting.

The book I use most is Crops in Pots by Bob Purnell. It is really my inspiration for container growing as it has lovely pictures and easy step-by-step 'recipes', including which varieties work best for which arrangements and so I can then go and source these or similar from seed suppliers. It has lots of general gardening advice. It lacks detailed technical information though, so I have a couple of supplementary books like the Veg Expert on hand.

The best source of advice has been my Dad! Things were going to put and I was confused about what needs to be pollinated and what needs pinching out and how to pot on leeks and so forth, and he showed me how to do it, helped me with it and gave me loads of fun and practical information.

[Two_Sheds]

I use Google a lot. There, that surprised no one

The thing is, to use reliable sources... I trust gardenaction, gardenersworld and the RHS amongst others. I always check answers, I don't believe the first thing I read. That goes for other gardener's opinions too: my lotty neighbour is a font of knowledge, but a lot of others do things like their old dad did, without understanding why or bothering to find out if there's a better way.

As for books, I read Hessayon if I'm stuck in the lotty shed, but no other books (although I think I've read every gardening book ever written and am good at remember really obscure things).

The Vine has some great experts and I've learned a lot from the likes of Flummery, Snadger, Zazen & Rustylady (and many others too)

[solway cropper]

I use this forum and a similar one which shall remain nameless. Google can usually direct me to some sensible sites but it also delivers some loony ones too. And I have piles of old gardening books which keep me occupied on winter nights.

The reason Hessayon tends to offer chemical solutions is that he's sponsored by a pesticide company whose factory has been linked to cancer clusters.

[CaroltheCarrot]

I use here and the search facility to stop asking idiot questions, as I have tended to do , at the plot I find asking 20 people will get 20 answers. i also like Carol Klein and the ever reliable genius Jim McColl
Sorry ,meant asking twenty people will get twenty different answers,had to log back on cos knew that was wrong