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How to become a good gardener? Any advice? Thanks

By newgardener on 31 July 09 in Growing | Report misuse

4 Responses

  • I'm an accidental gardener. I found out by accident how easy it was to grow various herbs, strawberries and tomatoes. Earlier this year, I tried a potato kit with excellent results, mange tout, sugar snap peas and dwarf french beans. All of these were in pots as I have a very small house and garden (with two dogs). It is a case of trial and error and always ask for specifics and/or read up if you don't know. Generally, looking at the plants as they grow will let you know if they are happy or not.

    Two months ago, I was very lucky to get a landshare plot near me and all seems to be growing OK, bar the onions. I'm giving them a bit longer before I decide to move them as they go through stages of being very happy and swelling to doing nothing and looking sad. I'm sure I'm missing some essential nutrients for them, but after stripping out the grass that had been there for 15+ years and digging over the earth, etc. something that hungry will wax and wane in the soil. My kale and other brassicas are very happy. Only time and mistakes will tell!

    Good luck with whatever you try and enjoy every mouthful. It tastes so much better when you have looked after it growing and it has just been picked.

    By AccidentalGardener on 12 September 09 | Report misuse

  • Well, basically just get on with it: make mistakes. Learn from them. Have some success. Learn from it. But mostly you should just have fun! thius is so far working for me ......

    By PenzanceLisa on 09 August 09 | Report misuse

  • It's all about trial and error! Start off growing a few easy plants/veg and move on as your confidence grows.

    It's well worth getting a couple of books, the RHS ones are very good and can be found quite cheaply on the internet. If you're planning on growing veg, it's definitely worth preparing the ground properly first by digging in some rotted down manure or compost as this really benefits the plants. Try finding a few local people who also enjoy gardening and maybe have a little bit of experience that you can benefit from.

    Most importantly, have fun and enjoy what you're doing and don't worry about making mistakes...at the end of the day, all plants really need to get growing is soil and water!

    By BeckyH on 08 August 09 | Report misuse

  • Anyone can garden but to be good u need to be passionate about what you are doing, the best way to learn what you need to do is read the books do the courses go and chat with other gardeners and dont be afraid to make mistakes because gardening is all about fun.

    By kenny on 03 August 09 | Report misuse

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