Growing vegetables simply

[Aberdeenplotter]

Hi Guys,

I've been asked to do a talk to a gardening club atthe start of next monthwith the above title.

i intend taking things from the very basics with pics and starting with making a simple composting area from pallets or a circle of netting wire. Sowing parsnips at 4" intervals in the row and oversowing with radishes to mark the rows. I know that as I go through the various vegetables that I will come up with ideas and I'll be stressing that garden ground isn't needed as it is possible to grow in containers. My favourite adage is 'If you haven't got a plot, you can grow it in a pot'

Anyone got any good ideas or pics that can be included?

Don't think anything is too outrageous. Sometimes the quirkies ideas are the most entertaining

[Bigmallly]

If you haven't got any soil, some things can be grown in sand.........

[veggiechicken]

If its a gardening club, I guess most of them will have a garden of some sort and be used to the principles of sowing - though not necessarily veggies. Unless you intend talking about every veg - I'd concentrate on the ones that give a quick return. So not parsnips, as they're in the ground for too long. Beetroot would be better, cut and come again salad leaves, that can be grown in pots and window boxes, or amongst the flowers.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I will have to talk for half an hour to an hour so I will be mentioning most veg. Most of the folks are well heeled and elderly.(I will be paid and be fed a fancy dinner with vino) I've mentioned compost bin because of the value of composting and also because gardening generates rubbish(weeds etc) which often gets binned and it's a good starting point. I'll also be mentioning making raised beds so that these oldies don't need to bend down.

The parsnips tip of sowing with radishes I personally find immensely useful because of the time parsnips take to germinate. In that time,weeds are growing profusely and it can be very easy to destroy the seedlings along with the weeds with the hoe before they are visible. Simple thing, important outcome .

Bleeding spacebar playing up today. Apologies if I have missed any corrections

[Potstubsdustbins]

AP if you are going to mention containers if any of my pics will be of use you are more than welcome.

Colin

[Samurailord]

Hi AP

Are you writing everything down in a kind of script, or are you more of a 'off the cuff' kind of speaker?

Andy

[Aberdeenplotter]

Andy,

I usually set up a slideshow which I use as prompts so not scripted but not totally off the cuff either. I've done a couple of talks to these folks before. Really nice people. First talk I did was really a trip around my allotments at various times of the year with over 100 pics. last time was more about show veg and i took along some props. 4ft parsnips, 6ft long leeks, 6lb onions, hidden till I whipped them out so a bit of drama thrown in. Can't be smutty because there are elderly ladies there (probably ladies wot lunch) but I try to entertain as well as inform. Their organised speaker has let them down and I've been asked to fill in at short notice so having to cobble something together. I'd normally have done something throught the year at various stages but can't this time.

[Aberdeenplotter]

AP if you are going to mention containers if any of my pics will be of use you are more than welcome.

Colin

Cheers matey,

I may well come back to you on that.

[Doive]

I can send you some pics of my raised beds if you like. They stand 3ft tall and were designed with the elderly in mind.

[redser]

Maybe you could stress starting stuff off in modules and loo rolls. Take some of the gradening indoors that way and make it more confortable for them in late winter/early spring. It's also more reliable than the direct sowing.
Maybe mention TS's straw revolution/lasagne type gardening? Not exactly no dig, but nearly no dig. Easier on the old joints.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I can send you some pics of my raised beds if you like. They stand 3ft tall and were designed with the elderly in mind.

Please do

[Peppermint]

When we were at our night classes (Veg Growing in Orkney) we had a local expert come in (had a great garden and won lots of prizes at shows). He brought in examples of the special heritage potatoes he grows and talked about the history behind them (who he got them off and where they first came from, and why they do well up here). He also brought in a leak with the pips on (I think that was what it was). It was the unusual things that were interesting, and also how he managed to grow some of the more difficult to grow things here in Orkney that made the evening special. He answered loads of questions from us all.

I'd love to be able to turn and listen to you I bet you make it as much fun as your posts on here

[Aberdeenplotter]

I'd love to be able to turn and listen to you I bet you make it as much fun as your posts on here

Really sweet of you to say that. Made my evening

[VirginVegGrower]

My only advice AP would be to give the talk BEFORE the vino
Have fun!

[two brews]

How about mentioning all the specialy adapted tools for less able people.There a bit pricey but mean people can continue with gardening.Wouldnt mind seeing Doives 3ft high raised beds myself.Good luck with your talk i hope all goes well and know whatever you say will be interesting .