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

"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

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.

"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

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)

"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

"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

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

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.

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)

"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

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

"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 :-)

"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

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