GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post

Sacha[_1_] · 14-09-2006, 03:13 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

On 14/9/06 12:35, in article
, "Bazzler"
wrote:

I've done several of those, especially the first year I got the plot. I
expect you did a couple yourself, no?

Well exactly - I'm afraid I read the list as people being "told off".
There is a way to write these sorts of things which would be much more
helpful and supportive rather than condemnatory. It is unrealistic to
expect brand new allotment gardeners to avoid mistakes and to have
garnered all relevant experience. Also who's to say there is only one
method of doing something - the GW programme on allotments showed a wide
range of practices being used and yet everyone seemed to be able to
grown the stuff they wanted. Isn't that the point?

I don't have an allotment but I worked on my Dad's two allotments for a
number of years so I have a little bit of knowledge and experience
before I get "jumped on" as a "know nothing" person.

But hey, the man who never made a mistake, never made anything.

*ding*
--
Paul C

I agree with Paul, here. I'm still waiting for my first allotment (any
day now) & started reading this thread with some anticipation but it
seems to have decended into a rather unpleasant "tut-tut" listing.

If those more experienced allotmenteers have some tips to offer or
common pitfalls to avoid I'll be extremely grateful, but I'm sure that
the selfish behaviour listed above is in no way dictated by the length
of time someone has had an allotment - rather more due to the sort of
person they are...

Let's get back to basics. Bob did not tut at anyone and didn't describe
selfish behaviour. He described some common errors made by people new to
allotments, as observed by someone very experienced on an allotment. If I
was a new allotment holder, I'd be grateful to receive some time, labour and
money saving advice such as this. Personally, I think it would be a good
inclusion in the FAQs. I can't count how many posts we've had here from now
allotment holders, asking "how do I start" sort of questions.
Remarks about closing gates and not stealing other peoples' produce, which
should be elementary to any half decent person anywhere, were not from Bob.
Once people have more experience I'm sure they can and will experiment with
different methods, times of sowing, fertiliser, ground management etc. but
these basic tips to get you started came from a helpful and knowledgeable
member of urg. We're lucky to have him and if people take offence at
receiving impartial and helpful advice, I can't imagine what they're doing
on a group which is stiff with both.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/