Beginners, what lessons have you learnt?

C1aire

I second the planting more staples and not sowing whole packets of seeds. Also the compost thing - where does it go?

I might try give my peas a little more protection next year as the birds had quite a feast at my expense...

Larumbelle

mrbadexample wrote: »

I've learned not to get drunk and bet my mates that I can grow the biggest pumpkin. :rolleyes:

So glad that's not just my fella! Although he seems to be making bets over veg of a far more worrying shape. Carrots, cucumbers...

10 things I have learnt:

1) That you need patience. And that I have none
2) It helps to have at least the vaguest idea of what you are doing... but oddly it doesn't seem to be essential.
3) There is very little you need that can't be either made yourself, scrounged or otherwise done on the cheap
4) Ask lots of questions. If you are in Homebase, Wilkos or similar and want sensible answers, don't bother with staff, ask a fellow customer
5) I would add the number of pots that you need to the greenhouse/compost rule.
6) If you end up with two many plants, there is always someone who will be grateful for your leftovers
7) Not to assume that OH, friends etc. will think you are mad. Some of them will think it's great and join you
8) Bumblebees aren't just pretty but inconsequential additions to the garden
9) That all those times I bought supermarket veg, I'd been had
10) That I quite like gardening. I thought I would hate it!

SEE

silvercharming wrote: »

So glad that's not just my fella! Although he seems to be making bets over veg of a far more worrying shape. Carrots, cucumbers...

10 things I have learnt:

1) That you need patience. And that I have none
2) It helps to have at least the vaguest idea of what you are doing... but oddly it doesn't seem to be essential.
3) There is very little you need that can't be either made yourself, scrounged or otherwise done on the cheap
4) Ask lots of questions. If you are in Homebase, Wilkos or similar and want sensible answers, don't bother with staff, ask a fellow customer
5) I would add the number of pots that you need to the greenhouse/compost rule.
6) If you end up with two many plants, there is always someone who will be grateful for your leftovers
7) Not to assume that OH, friends etc. will think you are mad. Some of them will think it's great and join you
8) Bumblebees aren't just pretty but inconsequential additions to the garden
9) That all those times I bought supermarket veg, I'd been had
10) That I quite like gardening. I thought I would hate it!

After saving more than £70 on growing my own salad so far, I have to agree with number 9;) The joy of cutting salad leaves and slapping them in a sandwich is wonderful, and even better when you tell the rest of your family I GREW THAT:D

2cats1kid

My personal big lesson has been to plant lettuces rather than mixed salad leaves. Lettuces I like and will eat, mixed leaves I don't like much and will leave till they run to seed and then pull up and put in the compost bin!

SEE

2cats1kid wrote: »

My personal big lesson has been to plant lettuces rather than mixed salad leaves. Lettuces I like and will eat, mixed leaves I don't like much and will leave till they run to seed and then pull up and put in the compost bin!

Why did you sow them?:D

elsien

Only plant things that are slug proof (unless they are in a container with copper tape.)
Lifes too short for faffing around with slug traps, egg shells etc ( and it's a waste of good beer.)
Have also learned that the little beggars can abseil.

2cats1kid

SEE wrote: »

Why did you sow them?:D

Because I thought I was getting leaves like in the mixed bags from the supermarkets and they definitely weren't! I'd have been better off eating grass!

Natty68

I've learnt to be more vigilant with those darn slugs and snails next year Also to buy bits when they are on sale in the winter, i.e. pea netting etc, and store it away for next season's growing. And the major thing I've learnt is that I MUST plant the veg seeds earlier in the year.

But I have learnt that growing the lunar way (i.e. by the moon!) totally works and is not as loopy as it sounds.

butterfly72

I've learnt that its not as easy as 'throwing a few seeds into the compost and before you know it you'll have an abundence of produce throughout the summer'! I wish!! It takes a bit of know how and I'm enjoying learning and eating!!:j

ChocolateMonkey

I've learnt that seedlings dont need half a garden for space and will instead happily live with lots of others in a small space. My small plot has much more in it this year. :j

I've also learnt how great container garderning is and how exhilarating it is to be able to walk into the garden and pick my very own veg which I have watched grow from a tiny seed.