[egbert]

Well, as my first year trying to grow veg I have learnt loads. And still have loads more questions.

I have learnt that my potatoes grow better in the bed on the north west side than under the fir tree in full sun but less rain! 

I now know that I really like one brand of tomatoes that grew really well and taste great but dont like the cherry toms I planted even though I normally like sweeter things. 

I know cucumbers grow well but the plant leaves are horrible. And that melons are all right for a laugh but for the size of plant the fruit are quite pointless in a coldframe. Courgettes grow huge when you forget about them, but brassicas are a lot harder than I thought. 

And I learnt that thinning out is more important that I realised and carrots do need space. 

So - what have you learnt this year - first-timers and experts alike!

[Fleecewife]

I have learnt - and I learnt it last year too  and I'm sure in several previous years as well - that I have to plant my tomatoes and cucumbers out on time or I don't get a crop.  Maybe I really will have learnt it properly by next year  .

Something else is that I can have a year without potato and tomato blight - yippee !

This year I used black weed-suppressing fabric to make long beds for some crops, for the first time.  It was rubbish for peas but excellent for onions, shallots and garlic, broad beans and strawbs.

[Cinderhills]

My first year too.

I learnt that even though my plot is completely covered by a netted cage I still need to put really small holed netting over the brassicas as they were eaten to within an inch of their lives by caterpillars.

I too learnt that in one week courgettes turn into huge marrows and that thinning is very important when growing lettuces.  And also to stagger the growing of lettuces more so I don't end up with so many I can't cope with.

I learnt that weeding regularly is so important and less time consuming than waiting until they grow bigger.

But mainly I think I learnt that I surprised myself as to how well most things grew in my first year.  I know I was also lucky with the weather too as we had such a sunny May and June to help things grow well.

[northfifeduckling]

I have learnt (or not) the same as the last 15 years - that I can't do it all on my own and if I keep on top of things in one area it will all go downhill somewhere else, thistles and dock galore . And that I should not go away in July 

[lazybee]

I have learnt this year as it's been really dry here You can't water everything! but I did try.

[knightquest]

My first year too. I have realised that you can't start to get interested in August. You must start to grow stuff MUCH earlier. 

Ian

[little blue]

and that, pretty as butterflies are... you never get every last egg off the brassicas... and caterpillars are a BL**DY pain!!

(although the chooks appreciate an extra tasty wriggly treat!)

oh, and that escaped pigs and fruiting strawberries dont make a good mix!!

[plumseverywhere]

I have learned that I should have stroked my corn or planted it closer (!) that caterpillars are a pain in the bum. That chickens can make great companions on the veg patch (eating caterpillars)

and that a battery operated device by these people http://www.deteracat.co.uk/ultrasonic_cat_deterrent_system.htm
can work wonders at stopping cats 'fertilising' my veg. only problem is the kids love pushing the button!

[ellied]

Hmm, well so far my lessons are as follows:
1. I don't know how to grow sweetcorn yet but at least I got recognisable cobs which is better than last year - just not developed enough to be edible but maybe next time if I work out what I did wrong..
2. Brassicas, however much I adore broccoli and curly kale, are bl**dy hard to grow or else I'm a numpty - I am however supporting masses of caterpillars to become lovely butterflies for next year so I guess it's an eco-friendly gesture if I believe it that way
3. Plums, apples, green beans, borlotti beans, rhubarb etc are totally reliable year on year, probably because I don't have to do much and can't wreck them easily, but I am out of interesting things to do with them and as for broad beans, I don't actually like them very much any more
4. Never plant potatoes in a bed you can't completely destroy and get the tinsiest remnant out of - I'm still finding rogue plants 5 years on and would far rather buy a sack from a local farmer than ever grow them again except in a CONTAINER
5. I am learning a lot about berries and finally got a decent crop of blueberries off my young bushes.
6. Everything else works one year but not the next despite rotation, manuring, whether I tend the same or not, and I just can't explain why I got no beetroots of a decent size despite watering, when I got a great crop last year and got really addicted to them (and I no longer worry about having red pee when I've eaten a load baked in the oven )
7-10 I am still a newbie and probably always will be, but I love it, love it, love it

Already planning how to get thinner mesh over the brassicas next year and thinking what to try next, but only things I actually want to eat in large quantities..
4.

[OhLaLa]

I've learnt that I should eat loads more beetroot cos I really want to see what red pee looks like!

 

[little blue]

well... red?!! 

[Mickyork]

I've learned that things don't happen overnight & it's bloody hard work and will still be bloody hard work next year. I love it though and look forward to it.  I also learned no matter how you do things there is always an easier way

[egbert]

I've learnt that I should eat loads more beetroot cos I really want to see what red pee looks like!

 

LOL - me too 
That made me chuckle and earn a grunt from the OH 

[Fleecewife]

I have sent my grandchildren home today with a big load of beetroot just so they can also see red pee 

[tazbabe]

i learned not  start so late, and that i really should make more effort to thin out properly.....
i learned not  start so late, and that i really should make more effort to thin out properly.....
i learned not  start so late, and that i really should make more effort to thin out properly.....
i learned not  start so late, and that i really should make more effort to thin out properly.....
i learned not  start so late, and that i really should make more effort to thin out properly.....



how many lines have i to write did you say?