What would you say?

[piskieinboots]

If you saw a 'new' gardener making a mistake that would almost certainly end if a bad/no crop?

Would you 'advise' or would you keep ya trunk out and wait for the inevitable and potentially have a new gardener think they are no cut out for this?

[SarzWix]

Advise. I never keep me nose out I'd attempt to be tactful though, and explain why I thought it might be a problem, but also add that gardening is inexact and that 10 gardeners will have 10 ways of doing things, and suggest that they do a trial with different methods then they'll see which is best without losing the crop. Or summat like that

[zazen999]

What sort of mistake?

[SarzWix]

Oh, and lend them a book or two, or point them here

[zazen999]

If you have a whole load of new gardeners - have you thought of some workshops to get them off on the right track?

[veggiechicken]

It would depend on how well I knew them and whether I thought they were likely to respond positively to "advice". I wouldn't interfere if I thought it would upset them. Not everyone takes kindly to advice, never mind how well meant. Sometimes its better to learn the hard way!

[Alison]

Depends on the circumstances and if I knew the person or not. If it was a total stranger in a garden that I was randomly walking past then I think it would be rather rude to poke my nose in. Likewise even if it was somebody at the allotment that I'd never spoken to then to but in and tell them they were doing it wrong doesn't seem the best introduction. However if it was somebody I was on normal speaking terms with or it came up in general conversation then I'd probably point out the potential problems. It's also well worth remembering that just because I think something is bound to fail doesn't actually mean it will and sometimes not doing things by the book can be a good thing and experimenting is part of the fun. I often read posts on here with people saying they've had great results doing something in a way which totally differs from my way but if it works for them then it's not wrong (but I'll probably carry on my way if it works for me ).

[Aberdeenplotter]

Some people can't/won't accept advice no matter how well meant. I do try once but if ignored, the benefit of my advice doesn't go in that direction again.

[Alison]

Some people can't/won't accept advice no matter how well meant. I do try once but if ignored, the benefit of my advice doesn't go in that direction again.

I think it's important to remember that if you offer advise to somebody who hasn't asked your opinion then it's hardly surprising that you get ignored a fair amount of the time as to the advisor it's well meaning help but to the person who's in receipt of the advice it's some annoying person sticking their nose in like that old bloke in the Harry Enfield sketch from years back

[cardiffsteve]

Id say with a nasal tone 'You dont want to do it like that, you want to do it like this!'

[VirginVegGrower]

Some people can't/won't accept advice no matter how well meant. I do try once but if ignored, the benefit of my advice doesn't go in that direction again.

Ditto! It's the only way...

[taff]

I would have said point them here too or somewhere they could get advice....or you can start with, I hope you don't mind, I noticed you planted your peas on your greenhouse roof type of thing, then go with the advice and the sending them here or books etc etc....

[di]

If it was a newbie on my site I'd probably just start by introducing myself and take it from there. Maybe have a chat about their methods and say I've never seen it done that way. If it really was a huge and obvious( to me mistake), I probably would tell them....I know I'd prefer for someone to point out my gardening errors before letting me waste a season...it's not like you get that many chances to rectify your mistakes in one season. It doesn't have to be a put down, just 'I've found the best way to do this is like so', or 'have you considered.....'
I often suggest to newbies that feel daunted by a whole plot of couch and not much time, set aside a quarter or more for pumpkins, even if you're not keen on them as they don't take long to cover an area and give you a boost to see that actually even the unworked bit is flourishing.

Don't know about you, but on our site I've come across two sorts of advice givers...those that do it in a well meant manner and those that do it in a superior 'are you thick' manner. I'm sure you have the tact Suzie to be the former. x

[Bigmallly]

Being a pretty inexperienced grower, I'm not overly confident in giving advice so I would be nosey and ask them why they are doing it this way.....in the hope of learning something myself....then "maybe" give some input.

[Snadger]

I recently said this to a newbie plotholder" You have probably already been told this but, you do realise that by rotavating your perrenial weeds you are giving yourself a whole lot of grief for the future."

Funny you should say that sez he, you're the sixth person who's said that this morning but I've hired the machine so I may as well use it.

He now has a plot full of lovely yellow flowering coltsfoot!