Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: City Gardener... on June 23, 2005, 15:47:18

Title: Hello everybody!
Post by: City Gardener... on June 23, 2005, 15:47:18
Hi all,

I'm new to the site having found it by chance while browsing for Pumpkin info!  :)

Thought I'd start with a polite hello...

J
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: shaolin101 on June 23, 2005, 15:49:46
Hello!

I am new too - but felt right at home staight away. Everyone just seems like a nice crowd from the start! Good vibes from this site!

You have found the best place for info on pumpkins and everything else!
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: tim on June 23, 2005, 15:51:40
Oh. another one from Essex. You have good company there!!

Your message politely acknowledged!!
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: City Gardener... on June 23, 2005, 16:03:52
Cheers guys,

I read a few old threads and was sold... Looks like a knowledgable bunch 8)
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: tim on June 23, 2005, 16:04:34
Tell us more?
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: City Gardener... on June 23, 2005, 16:09:53
Well I am a first year grower of fruit and veg and where as I have got a good general grasp of how to deal with most of my crops, I have been a bit stumped by the old pumpkins and squashes of late...

I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to get 3 or 4 pumpkins from the one long vine of each plant or whether I was suposed to get one pumpkin from each of the vines that are thrown out from the base of each plant.... Come to think of it, I still am not clear what's best ??? :P

Can you guys and gals help on that one?

Cheers Jeff
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: redimp on June 23, 2005, 17:21:16
Quote from: Jedi of Veg on June 23, 2005, 16:03:52
Cheers guys,

I read a few old threads and was sold... Looks like a knowledgable bunch 8)

You didn't read anything by me then.  ;D

Welcome aboard.
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: wattapain on June 23, 2005, 17:48:20
Hi Jeff, welcome to this great site. Where in Essex are you? I live in Witham, although from S Wales originally. There are quite a few from Essex here and very knowledgeable and helpful they are too.
Re your pumpkin question, actually I'd like to know the answer to that one too as I'm growing them for the first time. Presumably Pumkpkins will be the same as squashes/ melons??
See you are not alone!! ::) ;D
Terri ;D
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: tim on June 23, 2005, 18:05:59
All I know is that you can inject them with water to make them bigger!
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: Mrs Ava on June 23, 2005, 18:45:56
Essex Rules!  We are just outside very hot and arid Chelmsford.

To be honest, I just plant the various squashes, and leave them to it!  Some seem to just have one long long long vine and produce from that, others, like the acorns, seem to branch and produce on all stems.  I let them carry on regardless until late summer when I pinch the ends off so energy can be spent on fruit swelling.  Any little immature fruits I use fresh and soft, leaving the bigger fruits to ripen and harden a little on the vine before bringing them home and storing them in the conservatory for later use.  I still have 6 different squashes waiting to be used!  Better get a move on before I start doubling up!

Welcome to the nut house Jeff!  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: City Gardener... on June 24, 2005, 10:35:18
Thank you all for the warm welcome, it's good to see it's a nut house, I'll blend in just fine then!  :P ;)

Pumpkin-wise I reckon it's one of those crops that you think you've got to get involved with but as some of you have said, I should just leave them to their own devices if I can...

Well, I'll be seeing you all around... :)
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: Charlotte Sometimes on June 24, 2005, 13:01:42
Good luck Jedi, may the forks be with you!

I am in Ladywell, SE London.  So other side of the water.  Its my second year growing veg, but I've been growing flowers from seed for 5 years now.  This year its cucumbers which are causing me grief.  I got 12 from my indoor lot and now nothing for ages.  Ah well, each year I make new discoveries and new mistakes.  One day I might get good at it.....  :D

Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: City Gardener... on June 24, 2005, 13:10:11
Ah but is that when it will stop being fun...  ;)
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: RSJK on June 24, 2005, 13:13:53
wellcome to the site, and I can assure you gardening never stops being fun.
              ;) ;)
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: Charlotte Sometimes on June 24, 2005, 14:02:15
Quote from: Jedi of Veg on June 24, 2005, 13:10:11
Ah but is that when it will stop being fun...  ;)

;D ;D

Nah!  Something new and unexpected happens every year, best laid plans and all that.... plus there are so many varieties of things to grow and some very slow growing.  I've waited 3 years for my red hot pokers to flower.  The magic of seeing things germinate is the same every year.  Can't imagine that getting "old" quickly, as the yanks say.  ;)
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: City Gardener... on June 24, 2005, 14:17:34
I know what you mean and can make the statement that I know I have my life long hobby now, well that and fishing!  ;D
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: redimp on June 24, 2005, 14:18:42
No, sorry, the fishing will just have to go - no time for that now.  ;D
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: City Gardener... on June 24, 2005, 14:26:49
NEVER!!!  ;)
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: Val on June 24, 2005, 16:54:00
Jedi, welcome to A4A. a truly good site .
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: Svea on June 24, 2005, 16:57:10
welcome you are to this site, jedi. peace from fighting the wars (http://www.storewars.org/flash/index.html) may you find here

you must learn the ways of the farm

;D
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: Marianne on June 24, 2005, 19:39:05
Welcome you guys !  This is a nice site with nice people (usually ::))

Good luck with your allotments/gardens.
;D
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: BAGGY on June 24, 2005, 21:28:19
Hi from me too.
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: supernan on June 24, 2005, 22:00:17
Hi LOL on the name. You're very welcome here.

Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: lorna on June 25, 2005, 09:52:49
Welcome  Jedi. I do not have an allotment and only grow runner beans, tomatoes and this year 2 cucumbers!! I am a novice gardener but the crowd on here are really friendly (even to oldies like me!!!) I so enjoy spending time on the forums, have banished the hoover as I hate housework.!!!! CHARLOTTE I was born in Eltham so know your part of the world, havent lived there for thirty odd years but have lots of family... Eltham, Siscup, Chislehurst, Erith etc. Happy days Jedi. Lorna. :)
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: Piglottie on June 25, 2005, 09:58:03
Welcome Jedi  :)  I'm quite new to this forum also, but have found it the friendliest and most helpful forum ever.  As a newbie, get loads of good advice and tips.  Happy gardening!
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: Charlotte Sometimes on June 25, 2005, 11:33:44
Hey lorna, that's interesting, you being from round these parts originally.  Do you live out in the "sticks" now?  I lived in Chislehurst for about a year, now that's a really pretty part of greater London.  Pity I couldn't afford to buy there!  Astronomic house prices.
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: lorna on June 25, 2005, 11:49:18
Hi Charlotte. We lived in Chislehurst for a few years. Late husbands sister still lives there. We then moved to East Sussex (Mayfield) to a bungalow with about 4plus acres. I really adored it there but husband wanted to buy a garage/filling station/haulage business so couldn't afford that in the Sussex area. We moved to the Fens in 1972 and although I have always got on great with the people I just find most of the landscape boring. (Sorry to "fennies" on the forums) Last week I was in Isle of Wight and the landscape reminded me of Sussex.. I shall be down in Chislehurst during the school summer holidays. My sister-in-law has agreed to host a big family get together, we are just waiting for a date that we are all free.Funny old world some of my great nieces and nephews (by marraige) have never met up with some of my kids so before sister-in-law brother-in-law and I get too old we decided on this get together. Boy that will be a day!!! ::) ;) Sorry for saga but thought  it might be interesting. Lorna
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: weedgrower on June 25, 2005, 12:17:20
hi there
welcome to a brilliant site-weedgrower
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: Charlotte Sometimes on June 25, 2005, 14:17:18
lorna

Sounds like that's going to be one heck of a busy day - enjoyable though! 

Just an aside, I remember reading "A Town Like Alice" by Nevil Shute years ago.  Chislehurst gets a mention in that book as a suitable place to take a young lady for a weekend "in the country".  IMO, it still retains a bit of that atmosphere, even though that book was written a long time ago now and it is rather more urban these days.

The fens, I have only visited once.  Yes, I can't say the landscape gripped me, but there are some pretty villages and the parish churches are of a style not seen in many other parts of the UK.  No rolling hills though.  :(
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: lorna on June 25, 2005, 14:23:39
Charlotte.
 
AHA!! Maybe that is why my marraige lasted 50years!!! I was taken to Chislehurst for Sunday lunch etc  to meet my future in-laws ;D
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: BAGGY on August 06, 2005, 16:35:35
My dad lives in Erith - small world eh Lorna?
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: lorna on August 06, 2005, 21:11:20
Baggy.My nephew and his Mum (my sister) live next door to each other in Lesney Park Erith. My eldest brother lives in Belvedere.
Unfortunately our family get together in Chislehurst (originally planned for tomorrow) has been cancelled due to one of the IMPORTANT family member cannot make it. Probably have to be half term now. That family member teaches in Malvern
and is always very busy during term time. My kids are quite upset as they were looking forward to meeting all of husbands family. Never mind, my sister-in-law is determind to make it another date. Best wishes Lorna.
PS What part of Kent are you?
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: BAGGY on August 06, 2005, 21:46:36
Bexley - the grotty bit
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: lorna on August 07, 2005, 09:15:57
Baggy. Wouldn't call Bexley grotty. I think I will be in Erith for a week to keep my sister company when her son goes out to Australia for a month. He wants to celebrate his 60th birthday with his sons. That will be in Sept, no doubt we will go "shopping" in Bexleyheath. Regards Lorna.
Title: Re: Hello everybody!
Post by: BAGGY on August 07, 2005, 09:27:10
My plot is near Hall Place.  You are right, Bexley isn't grotty although Bexlyheath can be a bit grim at times.  Don't risk the broadway on a fri/sat evening - youth culture and excessive drinking abounds.  However there is a Wilkos and poundland so it can't all be bad  ;)