I think that the points that @Dovefromabove and @Ergates make above really identify the unique feature of this forum - it is the interaction element which sets it apart from internet searches and textbooks. It's like talking to the more knowledgeable gardener next door who will listen to your problem, ask relevant questions to identify and qualify your problem and then offer a well considered suggestion based on personal knowledge and experience.
Archives are static, they are generally not updated and the information contained in them can often become irrelevant or wrong as gardening practices change, new products develop and new discoveries are made.
I usually do an internet search or look at a book before posting a query, just to make sure I'm asking the right thing😊, but I have found that these sources of information often give slightly differing or contradictory information or advice. By using the forum and interacting with other gardeners who have gained their knowledge from personal experience, both good and bad, you can get a tailored response based on your own individual circumstances or needs. An archive lacks this unique feature.
Those who browse the forum and don't actually post a query are still benefitting from the interaction element and can make their decision based on this lively base of knowledge which is current by its very nature, rather than being history.
Not forgetting either that The Potting Shed lets non members of this forum know that its members are approachable and it might be fun to share daily doings,topics, photography etc. As an example, I browsed for a couple of weeks before I joined, liked what I saw, and here I am.
Hello all! I usually lurk (apart from one question about bird feeding, a few months back!), but just wanted to surface to say that I love reading this forum. Thank you to all the knowledgeable contributors I often read it for 10 mins in my work breaks, because I find taking my mind off the immediate stresses of the day & instead thinking and learning about gardening is relaxing, and reading a gardening forum is a lot more upbeat than just reading the news which I find necessary but a bit depressing! I only got a garden last year, so I'm still a very ignorant novice and don't have much to contribute to threads, so I tend to read without commenting - just enjoying browsing and also sometimes using the search function to find things that match my gardening questions & problems. This forum really is a great resource, and I especially appreciate the fact that it's so eco-friendly, and also that it's well suited to gardening on a relatively tight budget - unlike many gardening magazines & websites (which I do use & also enjoy) which are full of tempting adverts trying to convince you that you simply can't continue gardening successfully without this or that very expensive piece of equipment/wonderful plant! Plus, it's great to read all the debate on the threads, as it means, when it's something you don't know much about, you get to see why people have different views. So, yes, just wanted to back-up what Fire originally posted about this being a really good knowledge-archive-style resource for new &/or lurking gardeners
I've found non-gardening advice and solutions invaluable as well. E.g. I'd still be trying to get the top off my masking fluid without dove's simple solution😊
I agree with @chicky, that the biggest issue preventing the forum becoming a knowledge archive, is the hopeless search facility. Without this ability, it will never be able to fulfil its potential.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
I agree with that punkdoc. I had a job to do in the garden today and wanted some advice and get cracking quickly so looked up my query. I didn't get the answer so used google. I'm pretty certain there would have been an answer somewhere on here to a simple question but I couldn't find it.
Posts
Archives are static, they are generally not updated and the information contained in them can often become irrelevant or wrong as gardening practices change, new products develop and new discoveries are made.
I usually do an internet search or look at a book before posting a query, just to make sure I'm asking the right thing😊, but I have found that these sources of information often give slightly differing or contradictory information or advice. By using the forum and interacting with other gardeners who have gained their knowledge from personal experience, both good and bad, you can get a tailored response based on your own individual circumstances or needs. An archive lacks this unique feature.
Those who browse the forum and don't actually post a query are still benefitting from the interaction element and can make their decision based on this lively base of knowledge which is current by its very nature, rather than being history.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border