What lessons have you learnt from this years growing

[binley100]

when writing labels use a pen that doesn't wash off or fade.....
don't let the OH use a strimmer anywhere near a) your rabbit proof fencing or b) your fleece cloches

[morverngirl]

Further to my original post my brussel sprouts now the j artichokes have been cleared are doing really wel and we have had a few meals but growing in 8 x 4 formation which was easy to net made it difficult to water and weed, now still covered in white fly, and how do i pick those in the centre of group without inhaling millions of flys, at least there are a few less.

[Cranford Steve]

Be Patient! Only plant what me and my family like to eat. Prepare the ground better. Listen. Enjoy it all over again!

[baldrick]

protect everything you plant with fleece if it goes in before May. Earth up spuds for same reason. dont get excited about pumpkins. pick runner beans every day. plant sweet peas on a seperate line to beans. carrot fly can get where they want when they want whatever you do. plant cabbage thats ready spring and winter....how many gravy dinners do you need in a heatwave???? space rows so you can weed by hoe not by bending with a trowel watching your feet. plant turnips instead of radish, i can have some as salad some as veg and they are just as nice. you cant plant enough beetroot. kohl rabi and chard are an easy alternative to summer cabbage. keep a few pet dandelions if you havechooks. they come again after the most brutal cut and the seeds are 0 pounds and 0 pence!

[tdm86]

It is my 1st year gardening so you can imagine how much i've learnt!!!

My favorite fact I learnt was gently boiling a whole garlic in a pan of water....cooling it & using it as a Slug Repellent & it works a treat

[singleseeder]

Its my first year on the plot, I've learnt loads


5. A device needs to be engineered to grow strawberries in and let them hang rather than taking up lots of ground space have the last laugh

I made strawberry towers using 3 pots of decreasing sizes.

Fill all three (or more) pots and fill with compost - put stones, polystyrene etc in bottom of larger pots to save on compost. Stack pots one on top of the other - smallest at the top.

Because the bottom of the pots are narrower than the tops, you now have 'terraces' of compost to plant your strawberries in - the pot at the top is open for plants too.

The strawberries will hang down the outside of the tower. It is worth turning the towers occasionally to give all plants a few days of sunshine.

An additional bonus is the watering - the water filters down through the pots and the base of the pots sitting on the pot below keeps the compost moist.

[taff]

excellent idea, i'll nick it
now if only i could remember all the other ideas i wanted to nick, I'll be growing loads next year