Hello all from a newbie!

[mergles]

I've just logged in for the first time (after some technical help from my nephew), and thought I'd have a try at posting a message.

This is the second year I've had my plot, but the first I'm expecting to get any reasonable crops - weeds & grass over 1m tall when I took it over, and I don't want to use any chemicals. Last year was really   hard work, but the results are beginning to show, and I ate some of my own salad tonight! Brilliant!!

Looking forward to learning a lot more; that is if I actually get there, and don't spend all my time chatting on this site!

[mergles]

[valmarg]

Good luck with your efforts mergles, and welcome to the club of 'home grown'.

All the hard work is soooo worthwhile.

Happy eating!!

valmarg

[Barnowl]

Welcome Mergles. Found this site last summer and the advice I've had has been great. It's also been nice to find out that when you have a problem it's unlikely you're alone and someone probably knows the solution! :)

[triffid]

Hello and welcome, mergles!  :)
A4A is the nicest forum I've found on any subject, but beware... it is highly addictive!  ;)

[coznbob]

Welcome from us too...

[dgillings]

Welcome to the site Mergles! This site is superb for all your needs, whether an experienced grower with an unusual problem or a complete beginner!

[norfolklass]

hello mergles, and welcome to A4A :)
I haven't been allotmenting very long but this site has been a HUGE help, and everyone is unbelievably friendly and helpful ;D
looking forward to seeing some pics of your plot. whereabouts are you?

[tricia]

Hello to you too mergles - and welcome. You'll find a lot of help here.

Tricia

[wilko]

 :D Welcome Mergles, this site is addictive, but so informative, and of friendly  ;D

[Trixiebelle]

Hello  :)

[cornykev]

A big N London welcome Mergles, lots of good info and laughs on here.  :P :P :P ;D ;D ;D

[manicscousers]

hiya, mergles, welcome to the mad house  ;D

[greenscrump]

Hello  ;D

[Trevor_D]

Tried to say hello this morning & the site cut out on me!

Try again.... Hello!

You've come to the right place - I've been constantly amazed that no matter how mundane or obscure the question, someone can always answer it or help you. It's one big virtual allotment!

[manicscousers]

. It's one big virtual allotment!

not as much digging on this one though  ;D

[mergles]

 :)   Many thanks for all the welcome messages - especially after the day I've had at work!    :'( > :(

Went up to the plot to dig hard and sort my head out when I got home. I ended up getting soaked to the skin, but feel much better and have dug 3 more rows of untouched ground.

Opinions please - is it better to plant sweetcorn (Sugar Max) in rows or blocks?  Tempted to try both, but haven't dug enough ground for that yet.

Still finding my way around using these posts, so apologies if I've done this wrong:

NORFOLKLASS:  I'm the other side of Norwich - just outside Dereham

[Uncle Joshua]

Welcome to the forum.

I'd always plant sweetcorn in blocks  but then there are many people on this great forum that know far more than me.

[asbean]

Yeah, plant in blocks.  They pollinate each other that way.  It's lovely to tap the stems and see the pollen fly around - it's like dust.  Also, I've read that you shouldn't mix different types of corn.  Don't know why, exactly.  I think we did last year, and it didn't seem to make any difference.

[lorna]

Warm welcome from me. Have fun.
Lorna

[valmarg]

If you are growing large sweetcorn, then they do need to be planted in blocks, so that the pollen is evenly distributed.

If you are growing small corns, ie Minipop, then they do not need to be grown in blocks, and can be grown as a windbreak..