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Post by Fi on Apr 28, 2007 23:42:13 GMT
Hello compost lovers - the mission statement is - there is no mission statement. However, if you have spare seeds, say so on here, and, if anyone else wants some of them, PM the person who has them. It's best if you include varieties, rather than just types please. If the seed swapping becomes popular (and it's a bit late this year to test it) then I'll look to getting things better organised - especially if anyone keeps some seed from his year's crops or ornamentals.
If you're after gardening tips that are not to be easily found by googling, this may, or may not, be the place to be. Local experience can be invaluable, but not necessarily appropriate for distant locations, so at least an indication of soil type would be invaluable. My knowledge of pests and diseases goes no further than dead plant or live plant, but there are almost certainly experts lurking in the undergrowth who can help.
If you want to know what a plant is - ask, preferably with an image as a guide, if not, it could be a tad difficult, but not necessarily impossible.
Or, if you just have an image of one of your plants or three, please share it - but, if possible, reducing the size/pixels so that those who have yet to sign up to broadbean don't have to wait for ages before it is revealed.
And please - this is not the serious board and not to be treated as such - it's friends chatting over the virtual garden fence.
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Post by Lou Briccant on Apr 29, 2007 19:08:22 GMT
Sounds an excellent idea Fi, but as my Garden is about the size of a postage stamp, I won't be able to contribute much, sorry.
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Post by Peek on Apr 29, 2007 21:08:30 GMT
Sounds an excellent idea Fi, but as my Garden is about the size of a postage stamp, I won't be able to contribute much, sorry. Lou, my garden is quite minute too, but we manage to grow a few interesting things. Have a peek now and then, it might give you some ideas.
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Post by Fi on Apr 29, 2007 22:42:00 GMT
Sounds an excellent idea Fi, but as my Garden is about the size of a postage stamp, I won't be able to contribute much, sorry. Lou, postage stamp gardens can be lovely and rewarding - the small size is both a challenge and a virtue. How to make it interesting for 12 months of the year is the challenge. The fact that weeding, watering and feeding take so little time, effort or money is the virtue.
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Post by hoofhearted on May 1, 2007 20:20:31 GMT
Sounds an excellent idea Fi, but as my Garden is about the size of a postage stamp, I won't be able to contribute much, sorry. *feels the need to say size isn't everything, its what you do with it that counts...*
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Post by Peter Doubt on May 3, 2007 20:46:13 GMT
How to make it interesting for 12 months of the year is a hell of a problem never mind a challenge.
It's times like this I wish I had a garden!
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Post by Tina Biscuit on May 7, 2007 18:55:51 GMT
Sounds an excellent idea Fi, but as my Garden is about the size of a postage stamp, I won't be able to contribute much, sorry. Mine too, and since I bought my house from a couple who seemed to be allergic to gardening of any type it's also mostly patio. You'd be surprised at what you can grow in containers though - and there's the added benefit that you can sit amongst your plants with your well earned cuppa, listening to everyone else mowing their lawns!
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Post by territalks on May 27, 2007 13:04:08 GMT
Well said Bob, my garden is too big for me, I do the best I can with it and do love gardening but I am a very lucky person everyone calls me 'green fingered' I say it is just luck! Thanks to Fi also, I am sure this board will be a great success. Love & Hugs TT xxxx
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Post by meltemi on Aug 10, 2007 11:21:47 GMT
Our/my back garden is a large postage stamp size (by current standards), any bigger it would probably kill me, microscopic to childhood field-sized gardens etc. big patio lots of potted things in an otherwise controlled death zone. Tichmarsh's "grow yer beggars grow" fails miserably down here. Room for the shed & the office/studio from which I write...but a disaster in the courgette & tomato zones...hey ho, the grape crop looks impressive. Chateau "chezplonk" (pink) could be an impressive 12 bottles this autumn.
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Post by slinkychic on May 15, 2008 20:10:14 GMT
all sounds a bit technocall for me... what type of soil? dirty sometime wet sometimes not. Got ants in some of it. and plants... will that do?
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Post by Fi on May 15, 2008 23:56:17 GMT
all sounds a bit technocall for me... what type of soil? dirty sometime wet sometimes not. Got ants in some of it. and plants... will that do? No qualifications are necessary - after more years than I care to admit to, I'm still gardening in my L plates, as are all the other contributors, I think (Rev Michael may be an exception - his knowledge is encyclopedic.). That's the joy of gardening - there's always something new to learn. You have the basics - soil and plants, and I am certain that there will be other gardeners here who, in spite of their ignorance of every last detail in evdery possible situation, can help you make the most of what you have got.
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Post by dribblingpete on May 21, 2008 18:53:37 GMT
On the Southern slopes of Norfolk, with a constant onshore wind, and ants to die for, we have worked hard on DP Towers and just about tamed it.
Pots are great, you can change locations, if you need to adjust sunlight etc.
Hanging baskets, or the wall fixing type are good for trailing plants, or strawberies or small toms, etc. all give colour, and something to eat.
The best bit is.....give it a try, if it works, great, if not, try again next year.
With the above, remember, the watering committment can be huge.............collect water via water butts..............wiggly wormers do some good deals.
But mainly, enjoy
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Eve Ninall
TOG
"Brace yerself, this might sting a bit"
Posts: 297
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Post by Eve Ninall on Jul 25, 2008 20:51:14 GMT
yeh, seen your water 'BUTT' Pete !
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Post by lottielou on Feb 20, 2009 11:51:52 GMT
Hi am fairly new to these board. Can I join in? I think like many ex-pats we chose a home with a large plot of land and we do enjoy the space and huge vegetable garden. I don't know how we are going to manage ten years from now though. I expect we will have to get some help or move. Anyway I thought with all of you to help it might make maintaing our land a lot easier.
Yippeeeeee! It's a glorious day outside the sun is shining and the birds are singing. I am off to prepare the vegetable plot for this year's planting and tidy up some of the remaining leeks and cabbage etc. I do love the smell and feel of the earth and getting generally dirty in the garden. I think I must have been a pig in a previous life or maybe a hippo! ;D
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Post by Fi on Feb 21, 2009 14:07:05 GMT
You're very welcome Lottie and if you need any advice, chances are that one of us will be able to help, so please never hesitate to ask. Like you I love the smell and muck side of gardening, and most of all, compost. The smell of good soil is, I suspect, instinctive and probably inherited. Your garden looks gorgeous, as does the location.
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Post by lottielou on Feb 21, 2009 15:31:01 GMT
Thanks Fi. I suspect your right. I remember my grangfather's and my dad's gardens were always full of flowers with vegetables growing inbetween. My dad kept chickens as well and it is what helped to sustaine us all during the war.
I planted shallots yesterday. I do so look forward to this time of year when we can start planting. The work involved brings it's rewards and there is nothing like eating your own produce. The dwarf daffodills,crocus and some anemonies are out already and the Magnolia is about to bloom. Does this mean we are going to have an early summer. I do hope so.
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Post by Fi on Feb 21, 2009 22:36:20 GMT
Lottie - in the NE of Scotland, where I live, any sort of summer is welcome. *grins*
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Post by Grumpy Ole-Gitt on Mar 3, 2009 10:25:22 GMT
Lottie - in the NE of Scotland, where I live, any sort of summer is welcome. *grins* Fi, oh wise one, what are those incredibly large, straight green things in Lottie's photographs? I haven't seen anything like that around here.
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Post by Fi on Mar 5, 2009 0:00:53 GMT
Lottie - in the NE of Scotland, where I live, any sort of summer is welcome. *grins* Fi, oh wise one, what are those incredibly large, straight green things in Lottie's photographs? I haven't seen anything like that around here. Then you're obviously deluded. *grins*
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Post by lottielou on Mar 5, 2009 9:33:47 GMT
Fi, I know but when the sun shines in Scotland it is a glorious place to be. It never fails to stir the emotions. My husband, Ian's, family hail from Ayrshire and we have spent many wonderful times visiting family and exploring the coast and the highlands.
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