Hello. As a long time lurker and very occasional poster, I nevertheless gain such a lot from this forum... if it makes sense! The warmth, camaraderie, knowledge, expertise of gardening, life in general too...(generosity in sharing that) and genuine concern and friendship you regulars share with each other is to be admired, not derided or scorned- boy, have we seen evidence of that... a touch of jealousy, perhaps? Anyway, carry on being the lovely people you are. As posters have already said, this forum has been and will continue to be a lifeline, in so many ways. Put the idiots on ignore, don't respond to them- they'll tire of here and hopefully move on. Bless you all. xx
I started posting when I moved to my current house with first ‘proper’ garden. I had always loved gardening in my previous small garden and learnt a few things from my Mum. The best thing she taught me was that a garden is a haven and you can create a little paradise. It may be hard work, there may be some fails, but ultimately anything you grow, nurture or design is all your own. My new garden coincided with the year my Mum died, and gardening took on another function - therapy and comfort.
Through this forum I have asked questions, found out about plants and learnt so much. The ideas people have and the gardens they create continue to give me inspiration. More than that though, it’s a little gardening club - and everyone knows a club is all about the people, the chat and the support.
There is no one place for information and learning. If you're bright enough you'll visit all available places and take it from all the sources available to you. Internet in various forms Books TV People Experience
I joined during lockdown, when I finally decided to start making proper use of my garden. Fruit-growing was my main aim after years of just having some neglected rhubarb and strawberries. I've now got blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, cranberries and loganberries growing healthily and producing fruit. I've also got a solitary gooseberry plant that is less healthy But that is the beauty of this forum - I can start a thread on my ailing gooseberry and benefit from all the free advice and experience here
I’m a lifelong lover of books… I was reading to myself at the age of three and have accumulated shelves and shelves and shelves full of books … the house is full of books …. my tall bookcase of gardening and wildlife books is handily kept right by the door out to the garden.
The wonderful thing about this gardening forum is that not only do I have access to my own (and my gardening granny’s) books accumulated over many years, but by using the internet, and because of the kindness and generosity of so many people here, I have access not only to their experience but also to the countless books on their shelves … many times someone has said, in answer to a query, “I think it’s a so-and-so … I’ll check in my book and get back to you.”
This forum gives access to books, generous people and shared experience … and of course, without the TV programmes the GW website and forum wouldn’t exist. 😊
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
What a lovely thread Dove. I have also made some new friends on here. 2 in particular,we speak everyday and have been there for each other through thick,thin and the dreaded COVID for the past 3 or 4 years. Helping each other with advice,sympathy and a cheering word. We exchange cards,seeds and other small gifty things,but most of all we have a true lasting friendship though we have never met in person. Thankyou both, you are my rocks,you know who you are!!😘😘
The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
@MikeOxgreen I agree. if I had a question, I would use one, some or all of these resources if I was struggling for an answer. If I had a preference, it would be a face to face discussion with a fellow gardener. Obviously this has been more difficult for us all in recent times. I also think garden lectures and talks are a great way to obtain up to date information especially if it is followed by a Q and A.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I began "gardening" at the age of three when I helped my Dad by pulling up the leeks he had missed after thinning his leeks! I have never looked back. Like Dovefromabove, I have a passion for books and accumulated a large collection as that was the only way to find answers to questions when I was growing up. I have tried to move on and eventually came across the GW Forums where I have enjoyed dipping in and out, having a laugh, sharing sympathy when something has gone wrong, and sharing what limited knowledge I might have on some topics, as well as asking questions. In the main everyone has been lovely even if we have never met face to face. Personal experience is something we cannot get from books, nor tips and suggestions. It is a shame that occasionally someone comes along and tries to stir the s**t by being dogmatic, rude, instigating arguments etc. but I have always tried to ignore them. They usually soon get tired of arguing with themselves before long and go away. My garden and the forums have helped me to stay sane during the shutdown. I hope they continue for a very long time, somewhere to go and talk gardening with like minded others for as long as you like, lovely.
@B3 Face to face was difficult for me too when I first started working as a gardener. I knew it was a skill I needed to succeed. I was shy when I was younger but also driven by my passion for gardening. I recall being given a plant by a very experienced professional gardener, she didn't tell me it's name. I assumed she thought I would know and I didn't like to ask. I tried everywhere to find out what it was, then it was shown on a slide at Garden Club years later. Parahebe perfoliata. My first though was I should have realised it was hebe related.
Members would bring plants to the club, together with a friend we would try to ID. It was this face to face chat that I enjoyed and my confidence grew, I realised that I could help and have a laugh too.
I think the most important thing is just to ask either face to face or on a forum. The more we know and understand we can share with others.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Posts
As a long time lurker and very occasional poster, I nevertheless gain such a lot from this forum... if it makes sense!
The warmth, camaraderie, knowledge, expertise of gardening, life in general too...(generosity in sharing that) and genuine concern and friendship you regulars share with each other is to be admired, not derided or scorned- boy, have we seen evidence of that... a touch of jealousy, perhaps?
Anyway, carry on being the lovely people you are. As posters have already said, this forum has been and will continue to be a lifeline, in so many ways. Put the idiots on ignore, don't respond to them- they'll tire of here and hopefully move on.
Bless you all.
xx
Internet in various forms
Books
TV
People
Experience
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I have also made some new friends on here. 2 in particular,we speak everyday and have been there for each other through thick,thin and the dreaded COVID for the past 3 or 4 years. Helping each other with advice,sympathy and a cheering word. We exchange cards,seeds and other small gifty things,but most of all we have a true lasting friendship though we have never met in person.
Thankyou both, you are my rocks,you know who you are!!😘😘
I have tried to move on and eventually came across the GW Forums where I have enjoyed dipping in and out, having a laugh, sharing sympathy when something has gone wrong, and sharing what limited knowledge I might have on some topics, as well as asking questions. In the main everyone has been lovely even if we have never met face to face. Personal experience is something we cannot get from books, nor tips and suggestions.
It is a shame that occasionally someone comes along and tries to stir the s**t by being dogmatic, rude, instigating arguments etc. but I have always tried to ignore them. They usually soon get tired of arguing with themselves before long and go away.
My garden and the forums have helped me to stay sane during the shutdown. I hope they continue for a very long time, somewhere to go and talk gardening with like minded others for as long as you like, lovely.
I recall being given a plant by a very experienced professional gardener, she didn't tell me it's name. I assumed she thought I would know and I didn't like to ask. I tried everywhere to find out what it was, then it was shown on a slide at Garden Club years later. Parahebe perfoliata. My first though was I should have realised it was hebe related.
Members would bring plants to the club, together with a friend we would try to ID. It was this face to face chat that I enjoyed and my confidence grew, I realised that I could help and have a laugh too.
I think the most important thing is just to ask either face to face or on a forum. The more we know and understand we can share with others.