|
Oh dear, new gardeners!
Just back from the allotment.
Over the weekend one of the new gardening crowd (a young family) has obviously been to the Garden Centre and bought young plants, OK in itself, but then they have planted them out on their exposed plot! Lots of Cucurbits and only two feet apart too. If it's courgettes they will feed an army! Sweetcorn and in a nice straight row. Runner beans up a wigwam or four 6ft canes tied together, first wind/rain will have it over once heavy with plant. Main problem is they are all frost tender so I hope they are very lucky, they will need to be. Do I say something if I see them or just keep quiet and let them learn the hard way? (I suspect, damned if I do, damned if I don't) Mind you, what on earth were the GC doing selling these young plants a month early, I haven't even planted any of these yet, it's a job down for this week. -- Regards Bob Hobden 17mls W. of London.UK |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
"Bob Hobden" wrote in message ... Just back from the allotment. Over the weekend one of the new gardening crowd (a young family) has obviously been to the Garden Centre and bought young plants, OK in itself, but then they have planted them out on their exposed plot! Lots of Cucurbits and only two feet apart too. If it's courgettes they will feed an army! Sweetcorn and in a nice straight row. Runner beans up a wigwam or four 6ft canes tied together, first wind/rain will have it over once heavy with plant. Main problem is they are all frost tender so I hope they are very lucky, they will need to be. Do I say something if I see them or just keep quiet and let them learn the hard way? (I suspect, damned if I do, damned if I don't) .... Leave a note somewhere on their plot, where they'll see it ? "I was just passing by, and I noticed you'd planted...blah blah can't stop, just thought you ought to know, bla blah signed Old Jim" michael adams .... Mind you, what on earth were the GC doing selling these young plants a month early, I haven't even planted any of these yet, it's a job down for this week. -- Regards Bob Hobden 17mls W. of London.UK |
Quote:
My courgettes etc germinated yesterday so at the earliest I will plant out is; the first week in June for outdoor stuff and mid May for coldframe/cool greenhouse stuff. Regarding the garden centres........typical commercialism!!!! But then again some of those TV programmes can throw you a bit so I can understand newcomers getting it wrong. |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
"Bob Hobden" wrote Just back from the allotment. Over the weekend one of the new gardening crowd (a young family) has obviously been to the Garden Centre and bought young plants, OK in itself, but then they have planted them out on their exposed plot! snip Do I say something if I see them or just keep quiet and let them learn the hard way? (I suspect, damned if I do, damned if I don't) We all have to start somewhere and make our own mistakes but some timely knowledgeable advice can't but be a Good Thing. If it was me I'd welcome some pointers from an experienced grower 'cos I don't know much about veggie growing. But I know what you mean - you never know if people will get humpty about being told where they're making mistakes and you don't want to put the newcomers off when they're keen. Perhaps you could stop and have a chat when you see them next and just slip in an offer to be ready with advice from an 'old hand' if they feel they need it. Then they will feel welcomed and have the opening to ask right there what you think about what they're growing at the moment, or they can leave it for the future if they have problems. Mind you, what on earth were the GC doing selling these young plants a month early, I haven't even planted any of these yet, it's a job down for this week. Seems to me that GCs seem to get earlier and earlier with tender plants every year. It's ok if you have a greenhouse or other cover for them, but for anyone else, by the time it's actually warm enough to plant things outside they've often completely sold out. -- Sue |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
why not suggest something that they can do - e.g. making clothes out of old
2L bottles etc. It seems a shame that they could end up disappointed - especially if they are trying to get their children interested in gardening - but they may not be able to afford to write off these plants and get new ones. I too get really annoyed at GCs - there are some things that I'd actually like to buy ready grown but I do not have a green house or enough well lit room indoors to keep them and the GCs sell them all far, far too early. It seems like Christmas in that they are getting earlier and earlier each year - by teh time that it is possible to plant out all this stuff the GCs will have moved on and will be selling something else :( PS - was intending to grow my beans up a wigwam of 6 6 foot canes - is this wrong? What shoud I grow them up (runner anfd french). -- Hayley (gardening on well drained, alkaline clay in Somerset) |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
... Just back from the allotment. Do I say something if I see them or just keep quiet and let them learn the hard way? (I suspect, damned if I do, damned if I don't) Perhaps when you see them you could stop to chat and casually mention that you're dying to plant out your corn, cucumber, etc., but you're having to restrain yourself because it's far too early, and that you've got your plot ready to put in the blocks of corn, and that this year you're determined not to plant too many courgettes, etc., etc. They might get the hint without you actually telling them they've made an error. If not, hard lines for them. Good luck |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
"Bob Hobden" wrote in message ... Just back from the allotment. Over the weekend one of the new gardening crowd (a young family) has obviously been to the Garden Centre and bought young plants, OK in itself, but then they have planted them out on their exposed plot! Lots of Cucurbits and only two feet apart too. If it's courgettes they will feed an army! Sweetcorn and in a nice straight row. Runner beans up a wigwam or four 6ft canes tied together, first wind/rain will have it over once heavy with plant. Main problem is they are all frost tender so I hope they are very lucky, they will need to be. Do I say something if I see them or just keep quiet and let them learn the hard way? (I suspect, damned if I do, damned if I don't) Mind you, what on earth were the GC doing selling these young plants a month early, I haven't even planted any of these yet, it's a job down for this week. -- Regards Bob Hobden 17mls W. of London.UK Give them a roll of garden fleece as a welcome present and explain how it works. "It may come in useful for your plants if frost is forecast" etc etc |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
I am on a waiting list for an allotment and I would certainly hope that
there is a good communial spirit on the site and help from experienced growers etc. I am still a novice gardener even though I've grown several different things from seeds planted some plant from GC's , the mother in law etc .. Changed the garden around several times , landscaped etc and read and watched just about everything I can find on gardening BUT as my old grandfather used to say there is no replacement for experience and local experience at that. I'm sure if it's a family they would welcome any advice , probably just depends how the advice is presented. You don't want to be like the the old Harry Enfield character that always said 'You don't want to do it like that that , you want to do it like this !!' Perhaps just mention such things like , we still gets frosts here until xx/xx/xx date as so some protection such as might be worthwhile Too be honest when I get my plot I'm kinda hoping if not expecting to get lots of good advice :) |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
Rupert (W.Yorkshire) wrote:
"Bob Hobden" wrote in message Over the weekend one of the new gardening crowd (a young family) has obviously been to the Garden Centre and bought young plants, OK in itself, but then they have planted them out on their exposed plot![...] Main problem is they are all frost tender so I hope they are very lucky, they will need to be. Do I say something if I see them or just keep quiet and let them learn the hard way? Give them a roll of garden fleece as a welcome present and explain how it works. "It may come in useful for your plants if frost is forecast" etc etc I think that sounds like a very good idea. I was going to suggest buying them a book, or giving them one of your old ones. |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
H Ryder wrote: why not suggest something that they can do - e.g. making clothes out of old 2L bottles etc. It seems a shame that they could end up disappointed - especially if they are trying to get their children interested in gardening - but they may not be able to afford to write off these plants and get new ones. I too get really annoyed at GCs - there are some things that I'd actually like to buy ready grown but I do not have a green house or enough well lit room indoors to keep them and the GCs sell them all far, far too early. It seems like Christmas in that they are getting earlier and earlier each year - by teh time that it is possible to plant out all this stuff the GCs will have moved on and will be selling something else :( PS - was intending to grow my beans up a wigwam of 6 6 foot canes - is this wrong? What shoud I grow them up (runner anfd french). I don't know if it is "wrong", but it sure worked a treat for me last year, and I am still consuming the frozen produce - I am renewing the technique this year, in another part of the veg plot. I think the point the OP was making was that a gust of wind would easily topple the wigwams once covered with the climbing beans if they were put in a very exposed position. Mine are relatively sheltered. Cat(h) |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
"Bob Hobden" wrote in message ... Just back from the allotment. Over the weekend one of the new gardening crowd (a young family) has obviously been to the Garden Centre and bought young plants, OK in itself, but then they have planted them out on their exposed plot! Lots of Cucurbits and only two feet apart too. If it's courgettes they will feed an army! Sweetcorn and in a nice straight row. Runner beans up a wigwam or four 6ft canes tied together, first wind/rain will have it over once heavy with plant. Main problem is they are all frost tender so I hope they are very lucky, they will need to be. Do I say something if I see them or just keep quiet and let them learn the hard way? (I suspect, damned if I do, damned if I don't) Gentle hint and suggestion of covering with fleece or newspaper in the event of frost forecast? Mind you, what on earth were the GC doing selling these young plants a month early, I haven't even planted any of these yet, it's a job down for this week. Regards Bob Hobden 17mls W. of London.UK They always do. that way they can sell two lots to people like your novices :~) Jenny |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 15:07:37 +0100, "Bob Hobden" wrote:
Just back from the allotment. Over the weekend one of the new gardening crowd (a young family) has obviously been to the Garden Centre and bought young plants, OK in itself, but then they have planted them out on their exposed plot! Lots of Cucurbits and only two feet apart too. If it's courgettes they will feed an army! Sweetcorn and in a nice straight row. Runner beans up a wigwam or four 6ft canes tied together, first wind/rain will have it over once heavy with plant. Main problem is they are all frost tender so I hope they are very lucky, they will need to be. Do I say something if I see them or just keep quiet and let them learn the hard way? (I suspect, damned if I do, damned if I don't) If it was me I would like a bit of helpful advice. There is a hell of a lot to learn about veg and fruit growing and I speak as someone who many years ago helped to keep my dad's allotment ticking over. Mind you, what on earth were the GC doing selling these young plants a month early, I haven't even planted any of these yet, it's a job down for this week. Well I've popped into three or four places recently and they all had such plants on sale. I could perhaps forgive B&Q and Homebase for being a bit clueless but I was more surprised to see "proper" garden centres with all these sorts of plants ready for sale even down south. -- Paul C |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
"Chris Bacon" wrote in message ... Rupert (W.Yorkshire) wrote: "Bob Hobden" wrote in message Over the weekend one of the new gardening crowd (a young family) has obviously been to the Garden Centre and bought young plants, OK in itself, but then they have planted them out on their exposed plot![...] Main problem is they are all frost tender so I hope they are very lucky, they will need to be. Do I say something if I see them or just keep quiet and let them learn the hard way? Give them a roll of garden fleece as a welcome present and explain how it works. "It may come in useful for your plants if frost is forecast" etc etc I think that sounds like a very good idea. I was going to suggest buying them a book, or giving them one of your old ones. OK I don't mind you suggesting they have one of *my* old books as long as you pay postage :-) |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
"H Ryder" wrote ((snip)) PS - was intending to grow my beans up a wigwam of 6 6 foot canes - is this wrong? What shoud I grow them up (runner anfd french). Not wrong but on an exposed allotment site they will not hold up when they are grown, wet and it gets windy. We bang in 4x 8ft metal poles across the plot and then wire solid wooden crossbars to them and then tie the 8ft canes to those, and still on occasion I have had to put in guy wires as well. If you grow in an enclosed garden a wigwam would probably be OK. -- Regards Bob Hobden 17mls W. of London.UK |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
Scotia wrote: Bob Hobden Wrote: Just back from the allotment. Do I say something if I see them or just keep quiet and let them learn the hard way? (I suspect, damned if I do, damned if I don't) Mind you, what on earth were the GC doing selling these young plants a month early, I haven't even planted any of these yet, it's a job down for this week. -- Regards Bob Hobden 17mls W. of London.UK Even if you did mention it there is nothing that can be done, I suppose you could show interest and mention what you think, and advise them to purchase some fleece for protection and the might be lucky. My courgettes etc germinated yesterday so at the earliest I will plant out is; the first week in June for outdoor stuff and mid May for coldframe/cool greenhouse stuff. Regarding the garden centres........typical commercialism!!!! But then again some of those TV programmes can throw you a bit so I can understand newcomers getting it wrong. Nonetheless, nurseries and gcs should be warning customers not to put such things outdoors yet. The trouble is that so many of them are pushing bedding and veg. plants at x amount off and people are falling for it. It's heartbreaking. We've had people coming in wanting to take their hanging baskets now and we've had to warn them against doing so unless they have a greenhouse to keep them in. Last year, Ray and I were in a local gc and there were not only big banners and posters urging people to buy their bedding plants NOW, a tannoy system was doing the same. This was late February....... -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
"Bob Hobden" wrote in message ... "H Ryder" wrote ((snip)) PS - was intending to grow my beans up a wigwam of 6 6 foot canes - is this wrong? What shoud I grow them up (runner anfd french). Not wrong but on an exposed allotment site they will not hold up when they are grown, wet and it gets windy. We bang in 4x 8ft metal poles across the plot and then wire solid wooden crossbars to them and then tie the 8ft canes to those, and still on occasion I have had to put in guy wires as well. If you grow in an enclosed garden a wigwam would probably be OK. Wigwams offer less wind resistance than a straight row, but you're right they are prone to blow over. I use a straight row but that's because I find them more productive (the other problem with wigwams is that you end up with a huge tangle of stems at the top!). The moral seems to be that they need to be put in as sheltered a place as possible. Our new allotment has a hedge at one end so they'll go in where the hedge offers some shelter. The other thing to remember is that a row of runners casts a lot of shade so this needs to be taken into account when positioning them. Last year we found that things planted on the shady side of the runners didn't do well at all. Neil. |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
Gardening_Convert wrote: I am on a waiting list for an allotment and I would certainly hope that there is a good communial spirit on the site and help from experienced growers etc. I am still a novice gardener even though I've grown several different things from seeds planted some plant from GC's , the mother in law etc . Changed the garden around several times , landscaped etc and read and watched just about everything I can find on gardening BUT as my old grandfather used to say there is no replacement for experience and local experience at that. I'm sure if it's a family they would welcome any advice , probably just depends how the advice is presented. You don't want to be like the the old Harry Enfield character that always said 'You don't want to do it like that that , you want to do it like this !!' Perhaps just mention such things like , we still gets frosts here until xx/xx/xx date as so some protection such as might be worthwhile Too be honest when I get my plot I'm kinda hoping if not expecting to get lots of good advice :) I think Rupert's idea of a roll of fleece and an explanation of its uses might be the very thing. I was telling Ray of this potential disaster-waiting-to-happen and he said that the 'old boys' used to plant out their seeds as early as possible but quite wide apart. Then a week or so later, they'd plant another lot of seeds between the first lot and, if the conditions warranted it, even a third lot. By this method, one way or another they always knew they'd get SOME plants, even if the first lot got frosted. If the whole lot survived, they'd simply thin them out. Of course, you have to know the frost dates for your particular area to use this to best advantage but it sounds good to me. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
Hi, this is my first reply away from the dreaded Garden Banter, so I hope
I'm doing it right!! I just wanted to say, imagine the young family's dismay once their first attempts have failed and they realise noone came to help. I bet if it was Plotty's site, he'd be right in there with all the help he could give! jayjay |
Quote:
More dishonest is selling tender shrubs mixed in with the hardy shrubs and without giving any info on them. My local garden centre (in the Chilterns) is currently selling Sollya heterophylla. Last year they were selling Metrosideros kermadecensis. These are expensive plants, which require establishing over a number of years. If they advertised them as "conservatory plants" or at least gave a minimum temperature, fair enough, but they don't. |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
"Janet Baraclough" wrote in message
... The message from "jay jay" contains these words: Hi, this is my first reply away from the dreaded Garden Banter, so I hope I'm doing it right!! Yes you did, well done and you'll find it so much more convenient. You are the second convert from banterism in two days :-) Janet. and now you have been 'schooled' by ma'am, you are accepted Mike -- ------------------------------------------------------------- Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association www.rnshipmates.co.uk |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
"Neil Tonks" wrote ((big snip)) The other thing to remember is that a row of runners casts a lot of shade so this needs to be taken into account when positioning them. Last year we found that things planted on the shady side of the runners didn't do well at all. True, but we have found over the years that cucurbits are good for growing in the shade of the beans, you can keep the sun off the cucurbits during the hottest part of the day if you position them correctly. Especially useful in a good summer. -- Regards Bob Hobden 17mls W. of London.UK |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
Sue writes
"Bob Hobden" wrote Just back from the allotment. Over the weekend one of the new gardening crowd (a young family) has obviously been to the Garden Centre and bought young plants, OK in itself, but then they have planted them out on their exposed plot! snip Do I say something if I see them or just keep quiet and let them learn the hard way? (I suspect, damned if I do, damned if I don't) We all have to start somewhere and make our own mistakes but some timely knowledgeable advice can't but be a Good Thing. If it was me I'd welcome some pointers from an experienced grower 'cos I don't know much about veggie growing. But I know what you mean - you never know if people will get humpty about being told where they're making mistakes and you don't want to put the newcomers off when they're keen. Perhaps you could stop and have a chat when you see them next and just slip in an offer to be ready with advice from an 'old hand' if they feel they need it. Then they will feel welcomed and have the opening to ask right there what you think about what they're growing at the moment, or they can leave it for the future if they have problems. Could try chatting and asking questions "I've never planted my runners on wigwams - do you find it works well? No wind rock?" - in other words, talk to them as if they are as expert as you and have made sound decisions based on their experience. Then they can admit ignorance if they feel comfortable with that, or not if not, and you haven't made them lose face. -- Kay |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
In article , echinosum
writes More dishonest is selling tender shrubs mixed in with the hardy shrubs and without giving any info on them. My local garden centre (in the Chilterns) is currently selling Sollya heterophylla. My Sollya has been out over winter for three years now . I grew it from a cutting but apart for a little damage to the end of the stems it comes through fine. It's not against the edge of the house and is apparently healthy again this year. janet -- Janet Tweedy Dalmatian Telegraph http://www.lancedal.demon.co.uk |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
Janet Tweedy wrote: In article , echinosum writes More dishonest is selling tender shrubs mixed in with the hardy shrubs and without giving any info on them. My local garden centre (in the Chilterns) is currently selling Sollya heterophylla. My Sollya has been out over winter for three years now . I grew it from a cutting but apart for a little damage to the end of the stems it comes through fine. It's not against the edge of the house and is apparently healthy again this year. You're lucky! I lost one of those in quite a mild frost in the courtyard of my Jersey garden. We have friends who grow it successfully in Salcombe but their garden is right on the sea. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
"Sacha" wrote in message oups.com... Janet Tweedy wrote: In article , echinosum writes More dishonest is selling tender shrubs mixed in with the hardy shrubs and without giving any info on them. My local garden centre (in the Chilterns) is currently selling Sollya heterophylla. My Sollya has been out over winter for three years now . I grew it from a cutting but apart for a little damage to the end of the stems it comes through fine. It's not against the edge of the house and is apparently healthy again this year. You're lucky! I lost one of those in quite a mild frost in the courtyard of my Jersey garden. We have friends who grow it successfully in Salcombe but their garden is right on the sea. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon Mine died this year :~( not really hardy just something worth trying some years. -- Charlie, gardening in Cornwall. http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs) |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
"Charlie Pridham" wrote in message ... "Sacha" wrote in message oups.com... Janet Tweedy wrote: In article , echinosum writes More dishonest is selling tender shrubs mixed in with the hardy shrubs and without giving any info on them. My local garden centre (in the Chilterns) is currently selling Sollya heterophylla. My Sollya has been out over winter for three years now . I grew it from a cutting but apart for a little damage to the end of the stems it comes through fine. It's not against the edge of the house and is apparently healthy again this year. You're lucky! I lost one of those in quite a mild frost in the courtyard of my Jersey garden. We have friends who grow it successfully in Salcombe but their garden is right on the sea. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon Mine died this year :~( not really hardy just something worth trying some years. -- Charlie, gardening in Cornwall. http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs) I was given three small Sollya in a pot many years ago. I never found a spot for them so they have lived in the same pot and formed a compact very woody shrub which appears to be impervious to frost. On the downside it is not prolific in flowers. |
Oh dear, new gardeners!
"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" wrote in message ... "Charlie Pridham" wrote in message ... "Sacha" wrote in message oups.com... Janet Tweedy wrote: In article , echinosum writes More dishonest is selling tender shrubs mixed in with the hardy shrubs and without giving any info on them. My local garden centre (in the Chilterns) is currently selling Sollya heterophylla. My Sollya has been out over winter for three years now . I grew it from a cutting but apart for a little damage to the end of the stems it comes through fine. It's not against the edge of the house and is apparently healthy again this year. You're lucky! I lost one of those in quite a mild frost in the courtyard of my Jersey garden. We have friends who grow it successfully in Salcombe but their garden is right on the sea. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon Mine died this year :~( not really hardy just something worth trying some years. -- Charlie, gardening in Cornwall. http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs) I was given three small Sollya in a pot many years ago. I never found a spot for them so they have lived in the same pot and formed a compact very woody shrub which appears to be impervious to frost. On the downside it is not prolific in flowers. Maybe not enough sun? they flower 365 days of the year (which is why they are sometimes worth a gamble) -- Charlie, gardening in Cornwall. http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs) |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:15 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
GardenBanter