On Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:30:39 GMT, Baz wrote:

Is it time that the BBC aired a prog. that took us step by step with an
idiot guide to growing veg. in our gardens, season by season?
Not only sowing and harvesting, but a reliable prog that can run 52 weeks
to be comprehensive if that is the right word, to air out the many problems
we come across.
Some in depth topics I would like in a TV prog.
Composting.
Manure, and how to get it. And be safe.
All year round crops.(spring cabbage, summer, winter as an example)
PESTS and DISEASES.(urrggh)
Pruning of fruit trees.
Instruction of all types ie: Brassicas, alliums, legumes etc.

I am sure that I am not the only beginner who has failed because of the
lack of experience and knowledge.
There are of course some things in the garden I am confident with but that
is by the by.

On the other hand it might be just me who just havn't got the green fingers
despite the effort and money I put in.
Baz

I've never thought of you as a "rookie" or "beginner" (though we were
all one of those once); a lot of the things you say (write) are worth
listening to (reading). None of us knows everything, none of us has a
guaranteed recipe for success but we learn as we go along. We learn by
asking questions, reading, watching whatever the telly chooses to
throw our way but most of all we learn by making mistakes and having
failures. Nothing can beat experience.

The chances of the BBC (or any TV channel for that matter) granting
your wish are very remote. But that's not the end of the world. There
are lots of "heavy" books out there but if you don't have the
patience, try something like the "Expert" books by Dr D G Hessayon -
they're good basic "manuals" and an easy, light read. There's one on
veg and another on fruit as well as a range on other gardening
subjects.

Have you checked to see if there is a gardening association or society
near where you live? if so, there's a ready source of advice and
experience.

Just remember that the first gardening expert had no-one to learn
anything from but he or she managed it somehow.

Jake