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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: tim on February 24, 2007, 11:28:37

Title: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: tim on February 24, 2007, 11:28:37
A dear misguided person yesterday called me an expert.

Potatoes got blight last year despite spraying.
All the WSB has collapsed.
4 new Sage plants - at different times -  have refused to do other than sulk.
Overwintering Parsley - never been without - didn't.
The Pak Choi - a gift - sadly refused to grow beyond the seedling stage.
One lot of PSB produced nothing but tiny worthless florets.
I failed to thin out the Beetroot.
Left my seeds to rot.
First time ever, one batch of Marmalade didn't set - had to be re-done.
The Celandine's taking over the lawn.
Shall I go on?

Expert? Your choice!
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: OliveOil on February 24, 2007, 11:30:24
Ahhh but Tim your experience is priceless to us!
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: Tee Gee on February 24, 2007, 11:47:39
A good year then Tim eh? ;)

Been there done that and got the Tee shirt. 8)

Could it be the enthusism is just not the same? :-\
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: cornykev on February 24, 2007, 12:17:41
I'm with OO on this one, even the most experienced gardener has problems. You can do everything by the book and still no joy, someone else may just throw it in and come up trumps, we all need a bit of luck along the way. Your knowledge on this forum  Tim is priceless and don't forget it. ;D ;D ;D :-*
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: Marymary on February 24, 2007, 14:42:06
And remember all those cuecumbers & tomatoes & peppers which were the envy of us all last year.   Some things are always going to be less than perfect otherwise it would be boring. :)
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: theothermarg on February 24, 2007, 15:05:16
As we used to say in my old craft fair days( i used to make and sell ceramic animals) It,s the imperfections that make us unique
margaret 8)
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: bunjies on February 24, 2007, 15:50:10
i would give my eye teeth to have a lawn covered in celandines!!
they are one of my favorite flowers ;D
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: Trixiebelle on February 24, 2007, 16:01:16
My neighbour Ahmed has a way round this 'expert' dilemma. He just says ....

"I was experimenting. It is a learning curve"

Well that's what he said last year when he dumped fresh pigeon muck on his plants and most of the died!

"Just experimenting. Won't do it next year!"  ;D Bless him!
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: MrsKP on February 24, 2007, 16:58:15
i'd rather trust your judgement than mine tim.

and we love you.

:-*

;D
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: Blue Bird on February 24, 2007, 17:31:45
It is a wise man who can admit mistakes and therefore he gains experience to pass onto others - expert YES

Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: Curryandchips on February 24, 2007, 17:49:44
Just spotted this, not having been watching much recently.

I think I remember being informed somewhere along the line, that if you know more than the next person, then you are classed as an expert.

Within this context, Tim, you are placed (rightly in my opinion) within that hallowed group of knowledgeable souls that this forum is so privileged to have. We all use trial and error to progress ...

Long may it continue.

Derek (a bumbling fool)
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: kitten on February 24, 2007, 18:03:58
Tim, i consider you (along with a few, select others) to be an expert on this forum, and one we're jolly lucky to have on hand to answer our ridiculous newbie dilemmas!  Don't underestimate yourself matey  :-*  ;D

(PS if you can't get your head out the door after reading this lot, you've no one to blame but yourself lol  ;) )
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: cornykev on February 24, 2007, 19:21:54
Trixie seriously he put pidgeon poo on the plants, acid on plants = dead. :'( ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: tim on February 24, 2007, 21:00:39
Oh, dear - I didn't mean to go for an Oscar!!

Kitten - at 6'4", I have a head so scarred that there is no room for hair.

Errors? For how long can you continue to make them??

TG - yes - sadly it is waning!!

Boring Mary? I want it RIGHT!!

Expert, Curry? In 28 years teaching (& doing) Picture Framing, I did the same as most teachers - read it up the day before - trying to keep one jump ahead of the paying public. Well, almost!! I was devoted to the art. Especially Conservation.

Margaret - like some of my aerobatics in the olden days - quite unique!!

Takes all, doesn't it?



Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: Amazin on February 24, 2007, 21:19:37
And Tim, if that's your list of expertise, just think what my apprentice's list must look like! (no, too ashamed to show)

Suffice to say, I'm STILL doing the "rake-BOINNGG" thing.

;D

Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: busy_lizzie on February 24, 2007, 21:40:14
Ah Tim! The expertise comes with overcoming all of those things and to pick yourself up the next year and try something different. It is always inspiring to see what you have grown and the delicious food you create from your produce! You can't get away from it Tim, you have many fans on this board and even your mistakes give us confidence.  :-* busy_lizzie 
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: Froglegs on February 24, 2007, 22:30:50
Tim you have probably forgot more than i know about gardening so i hope ya don't mind me jogging ya memory with the odd question now and again. ;D
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: vee on February 24, 2007, 23:19:32
I think you can safely blame global warming Tim. ;)
You've often given me some good advice, for which I've been very grateful.
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: tim on February 25, 2007, 06:59:08
Just one more thing.

Two successive indoor sowings of replacement Parsley got to the mini-plant stage & refused to go further!!

I have a feeling that peatless compost may have something to do with it?
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: Hyacinth on February 25, 2007, 10:01:38
Peatless compost >:( Used it for the first time last year and never ever ever again. Not a learning curve I appreciated >:( And it's a s*d once it's dried out, too >:(
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: MrsKP on February 25, 2007, 11:33:55
think i used mine as soil improver.  couldn't grow jack in it.

8)
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: JRP on February 25, 2007, 17:11:09
 ;D Hi Aliska,I use peatless compost all the time and I have no problems,then I wouldn't I suppose you might say being me,but its true. I've used the same cheap B&Q multipurpose compost for years, and I can grow most things with the help of Mother nature. By the way this is one of many postings I've done to day to please you and others,to show you all I'm a doer in life if I can, wait for it.
May you and yours and what you grow live long and happy. John. J.R.P.
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: jennym on February 25, 2007, 23:26:30
I found that the small peatless compost growbags from Homebase have been very good for growing alpines and rock plants that need sharp drainage over winter,
The fact that they do dry out too quickly seems to be an advantage in the case of this type of plant.
Title: Re: Expert? Expert what??
Post by: tim on February 26, 2007, 10:36:18
I would use Moorland Gold if I could afford it.