Topic: DONT LISTEN TO MONTY

[return of the mac]

Ok ive posted this here because that man is a pest sometimes.
Tattie trial- hes trying to tell us that unchitted tatties give better yields- NOT TRUE- i cant believe he'd spread such bad practice. The reason that unchitted tatties gave higher yields was because they were in a black bin that absorbed heat, oppose to the metal one for the chitted that reflected the suns heat.
Not a fair experiment, very poor show Monty :(

[redimp]

First thing I said when I saw the bins and before they were tipped out was that it was not a fair test because the bins were not the same.  We teach that to children from the age of 5.  For a test to be fair, the only variable should be what you are testing.  Everything else should be a constant.  I do not trust the test either.

Is this debate being had on the BBC site I wonder - might get round to checking later.

[rosebud]

I think GW is a very good show myself , my opinion.  ::) ;D

[redimp]

Like GW - did not like the test.  I thought it was very biased.

[undercarriage plan]

I have to say, haven't watched GW for a few weeks now, not quite sure why and not intentionally, think it's cos they repeat an awful lot and I find the presenters not overly enthusiastic and hard to listen to. I've learnt more here! Expecting really bad replies to this one!! Lottie ;D

[busy_lizzie]

I do enjoy Gardners World, but I do agree I don't think that was a fair test.  I too noticed before he even tipped the bins out that they weren't equal, so I don't think you can take the results too seriously.  I think even he was surprised when he tipped them out.  busy_lizzie   

[Amazin]

I spotted the bins when they first planted up for the trial. I ranted a big one at the time, so tonight when I saw the results I did the cackling version.

[tim]

But his method for cutting Chard, last night, was interesting?

[redimp]

Also he cut off his courgettes - I have been twisting mine off.  Maybe that's why they are so damned slow.

[Roy Bham UK]

Also he cut off his courgettes - I have been twisting mine off.  Maybe that's why they are so damned slow.

I'm sure I have read somewhere that you should use a sharp knife and not twist them as it will kill the plant ???

[john_miller]

Also he cut off his courgettes - I have been twisting mine off.  Maybe that's why they are so damned slow.

I'm sure I have read somewhere that you should use a sharp knife and not twist them as it will kill the plant ???

I've always cut mine in the interests of speed. If you try to twist them don't you end up moving the plant a lot? I would imagine this would cause constant root damage. Yellow squash (which are not yellow courgettes), with their thinner stems, can be quickly twisted though.

[tim]

Can't believe that twisting would kill? But it can sure damage the fruit!

But it's so easy to cut? My knife - a present - is always in my pocket.

[Doris_Pinks]

Tim, what was his cutting chard method please? I haven't seen GW in yonks!

[tim]

He just took off the whole plant to the ground.

So he took all the young shoots as well, with a different cooking time??

Seemed a bit wasteful to me?

[Roy Bham UK]

I've always cut mine in the interests of speed. If you try to twist them don't you end up moving the plant a lot? I would imagine this would cause constant root damage. Yellow squash (which are not yellow courgettes), with their thinner stems, can be quickly twisted though.

 ;) Spot on John, Just copied this off a Beeb site...Always use a sharp knife to cut the fruits from the plant. If you are tempted to try to twist or pull the fruit off, you will invariably damage the entire plant.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingmarrows.shtml

Hope it wasn't written by Monty Don  :o :P ;D

[redimp]

I will buy myself a new knife.

[john_miller]

I've always cut mine in the interests of speed. If you try to twist them don't you end up moving the plant a lot? I would imagine this would cause constant root damage. Yellow squash (which are not yellow courgettes), with their thinner stems, can be quickly twisted though.

 ;) Spot on John, Just copied this off a Beeb site...Always use a sharp knife to cut the fruits from the plant. If you are tempted to try to twist or pull the fruit off, you will invariably damage the entire plant.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingmarrows.shtml

Hope it wasn't written by Monty Don  :o :P ;D

Hmm, does the Beeb agree with me or do I agree with the Beeb? I should be flattered either way?
I also know from having to come up with knives for my help at very short notice that serrated knives are next to useless too.

[Roy Bham UK]

;D I have a medium sized very sharp pocket knife that seems to do the job well, although I see in some  gardening books they use knives with a curved hook like end that may grip better but I bet a bugger to sharpen. :D

[plot51A]

Well, I've twisted and not killed. So far.

[wardy]

I twist sometimes if I can't get in with the knife  :o    My lambsfoot knife got stolen!  I got a replacement though as it was an insurance job.  I love my little pocket knife and I've never sharpened it but it's great.  I also have a belt knife which is very handy which came to me from the Mechanical Engineer at a colliery I worked at.  It's great for cutting lettuces, cabbages, courgettes etc but I left it out the other night in the rain and it went all rusty.  Cleaned it off with sandpaper and it seems as good as new.  I have to hide my lambsfoot knife from my OH as he misuses and abuses them (ie saw!) so I don't share it  :)