Topic: some wise words for newbies

[BAK]

in the first part of Cleve West's weekly article in the Independent, viz. dont be in too much of a rush to sow / plant.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/house-and-home/gardening/urban-gardener-ready-steady-sow-794195.html

[tim]

Took the words out of my mouth.
Soil will grow little till its 40F+.

So I went out & took its temperature - 51F!! But oh, so mean & damp.

[saddad]

It's forecast to be really cold again next week with several ground frosts..
 :-X

[tim]

So...!!

[Gazfoz]

Why do all the old timers advocate waiting forever to plant crops but are always miles ahead come harvest time? ??? :-\ ;)

[star]

The wisdom of years matey, thats all it is. We are impatient, impetuous and crazy ;D ;D ;D ;D

[DenBee]

You mean like the kids at school who used to swear they never did any studying, and yet got A's for all their exams?   ;) ;D

I haven't sown a single thing yet.  I live in NE England, and there's not much point yet.  If it all germinates, where am I going to put it?  :o

[star]

You have the gift of wisdom ;)

[redimp]

I have been doing this for 4 years and now feel that I have ascended to a state of higher wisdom as I have hardly sown anything so far this year.

Aummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!

 ;D

[Magnolia]

I'm slowly getting the message.  I've made quite a few mistakes already but I dont have anything in the ground yet so no huge clangers.

I'm just itching to be outside.  Got heaps of plant pots to wash but thats it - I've nothing else to do.  I'm tapping my feet and twiddling my thumbs.

Anyone got any digging they need doing?  ;D

[DenBee]

Anyone got any digging they need doing?  ;D

ME!!!!!  I'm getting in first and kidnapping you before the queue starts.  ;D

[lorna]

Magnolia. If only you lived nearer. I would put my name forward under the heading "Help the aged!!"

[davyw1]

Magnolia. If only you lived nearer. I would put my name forward under the heading "Help the aged!!"

I help the aged, one is 76 coming up ( Percy ) and the other is not far behind and had a triple bypass, (Lawrence )
Whats the heading for this thread " some wise words " Mine are if you have a rotorvator and two old blokes in the next garden  MOVE

[star]

Oh Davy you crack me up ;D ;D!! I have to say though as someone ailing in the health thang.

I would be only too grateful for help from some younger bod, and would repay them at harvest time or with some fresh baked cakes or something like a bottle of homemade or some beer on a hot day.

It really is appreciated by most, though I do understand some will take advantage too

[star]

I'm slowly getting the message.  I've made quite a few mistakes already but I dont have anything in the ground yet so no huge clangers.

I'm just itching to be outside.  Got heaps of plant pots to wash but thats it - I've nothing else to do.  I'm tapping my feet and twiddling my thumbs.

Anyone got any digging they need doing?  ;D

Yes yes yes, and I will give you a nice room and cooked breakfast every morning ;D ;D ;D

[davyw1]

I'm slowly getting the message.  I've made quite a few mistakes already but I dont have anything in the ground yet so no huge clangers.

I'm just itching to be outside.  Got heaps of plant pots to wash but thats it - I've nothing else to do.  I'm tapping my feet and twiddling my thumbs.

Anyone got any digging they need doing?  ;D

Yes yes yes, and I will give you a nice room and cooked breakfast every morning ;D ;D ;D

Thats a dam good offer i normally get a jar of home made jam, Piccalilli or chutney

[star]

 ;D ;D ;D Bless  ;D ;D ;D

[Hyacinth]

I got given 2 bottles of that Sherwood fortified rotgut stuff last week by a woman who won them at bingo.

And reader.......

I drank them :o

[Tee Gee]

Why do all the old timers advocate waiting forever to plant crops but are always miles ahead come harvest time?

We use nature to guide us, in particular 'longer days' means longer photosynthesis means better plants.

Better plants ultimately grow faster once planted out.

For instance I have just pricked out  my Tomatoes & Chillis out this morning, had they been for growing outdoors I wouldn't have sown them yet.

In about a couple of weeks time I will sow the first of the vegetables I intend growing outdoors e.g brassicas.

Once germinated they will go out into the coldframe to grow on till planting out time in late May.

Well thats my reason for what it is worth.

[antipodes]

hmmm I must admit that this year (growing season number 2), I have been more patient and better organized, sorting the seeds by sowing times.
Only in the last couple of days have I been sowing the tomatoes, peppers and leeks, and keeping them in a cooler spot so they don't spring up so fast (they are indoors). So they will only be a few weeks' old when I plant them in May.
Only things in the ground are first spuds, early peas and onions/garlic/broad beans.
I think they soon catch up when the good weather is here - March is so unpredictable...