What have you learned this year ?

[KevinM67]

As the year comes to a close - is there anything that fellow grapes have learned, done differently, experimented with, failed at, etc. that they can pass on to us fellow gardeners ?

To start off - and this is not original, and has been mentioned many times on here, but it's the first time I've tried it:

"No-dig and mulching" - why did I never do this before !!!

[treepixie]

Not to grow so many French beans!

[veggiechicken]

That tomatillos are easy to grow, look attractive, heavy croppers, bees like the flowers, they store better than tomatoes...........BUT I've no idea what to do with the fruit. Don't suggest salsa - because I have two left feet Not even sure I like the taste - like a citric bland green tomato!
Out of interest, I have to leave the plants in situ to see how they cope with winter. Are they perennial, will they self seed from the hundreds of fruit lying on the ground, will I have a tomatillo forest there next year? Watch this space

I'm not even going to try to list all the things I've done differently, experimented with or failed/succeeded with. Wouldn't know where to begin.

[1Bee]

Chill.

That's what I've learned. That nothing is ever quite as bad as I think it is, and most things come right.

And stolen dawn moments on the plot before work are my idea of heaven.

[KevinM67]

Another - growing fruit and veg in the garden.

Again, not original but - the back garden can sometimes be 'manicured' into some sort of extended showroom, with our pristine lawns, decking and patio areas, space for the barbecue (which is used about twice a year, if that).

Having made a 'mini-allotment' in our back garden this year - as a family, including relatives and friends we have spent more time in the garden, generated greater interest and activity with the various stuff growing and yields, with my lad and his cousins/friends having greater fun than what we normally had with our 'bog-standard norm' garden back in the UK.

I would say to anyone considering an allotment - if you have a garden, trial it out there first. It may save you a lot of time and expense, you'll learn loads and will prepare you for the commitment needed.

[bario1]

Liming brassica beds - I never bothered before, but this year my kale and PSB have gone beserk.

[KevinM67]

Even when I had an allotment, I never done the liming thing.

Too scared - mainly from remembering the Wilfred Owen poem on the 1st World War from school.

[burnie]

After too long a break without one, just how important and fun having a greenhouse can be, things in the soil, things in pots, hanging baskets(though they might be outside next year, too much watering required) and troughs was a joy. Early French Strawberries my best thing grown under glass closely followed by Sweetcorn and chillies/peppers.

[bario1]

Even when I had an allotment, I never done the liming thing.

Too scared - mainly from remembering the Wilfred Owen poem on the 1st World War from school.

I think quicklime and garden lime are two different things!

[1Bee]

Nice one Kevin. While we were on the waiting list, we grew veg (badly) in our front garden a la Dig for Victory... it was fun, and I got a handle on what worked and how.

I'm with you on the liming, Bario. Mind you, I'm very haphazard about it - it's a case of flinging a few handfuls when digging the bed....

[KevinM67]

Geez a break bario1 - it's been a few years since I was in school.

Edit: this was a reply to bario - I don't know my limes to my lemons.

[rary]

Too scared - mainly from remembering the Wilfred Owen poem on the 1st World War from school.

My you are older than I thought if you remember a poem from the first world war. You are even older than VC
But to your question of what have you learned this year?
I have planted several different varieties of raspberries and they don't all have the same growing habits some are really rampant and in a small garden that is no use so they will be coming out shortly, and I will be going for rasps that can be grown in pots

[burnie]

My you are older than I thought if you remember a poem from the first world war. You are even older than VC
But to your question of what have you learned this year?
I have planted several different varieties of raspberries and they don't all have the same growing habits some are really rampant and in a small garden that is no use so they will be coming out shortly, and I will be going for grasps that can be grown in pots

What's a "grasp"...........................................

[KevinM67]

What's a "grasp"...........................................

They're a hybrid from the grape and raspberry family.

You stand in a bucket of them, crushing them with your bare feet - whilst making rude noises with your tongue.

[Florence Fennel]

That made me laugh out loud Kevin, thank you!