I have gardeners world magazine paid for using Tesco vouchers, which means I haven't had to spend any money. The articles and advice are appropriate to the season so it tells you what to do that month in clear steps with lots of pictures so you know what you're aiming at.
Another vote for the Dr. Hessayon books. Just enough info without baffling you with detail. Worth every penny.
The soil test kit is a another brilliant idea, sadly though through my own experience the kits seem very hit and miss. Two test kits from the same manufacturer can give differing results.
A Gardeners World back to back test feature would be good.
If you use a soil test kit take the soil from a few inches down to use. When ur buying plants in ur local garden centre, try asking the staff for advice. Alot of them are probably very knowagable & enthusiastic gardeners. Gardeners World mag & web site is full of good advice.
Do a search on Amazon for second hand books, or TKmax, I picked up Green Gardening & The RHS Encylopedia there for less than £20 for the two. Have to say though, I've taped every episode of Gardener's World & keep them for over the winter months & rewatch them all before I ditch them. Between that and the magazine I've learned buckets & if you just put in to practice a few things you've learned every season you'll soon be an expert yourself!
I am a very new and very novice gardener. I am not sure where to start and any help and advise would be very welcome. I am thinking of growing herbs and veg in containers to start with.
My advice is try the easy things first. Usually tried and tested to be easy. Dont spend too much trying everything because in my experience, it all becomes too much and you are overfaced with it all. We have had courgettes, carrotts in pots/planters, tomatoes, potatoes in tubs and herbs. All very successful. This has boosted the confidence to try some others. Last year we had kohl rabi and the pigoens had cabbage, cauliflower and celeriac not to mention the beetroot..... We did have some beans but there werent that many. I would rather have success at a few than lose most because either I cant afford all the different ways to stop the pesky pigeons or because its too dry or I havent had enough time..... so to sum up:
try easy to grow veg to get some confidence
build up the knowledge and the skills base
dont try everything at once
and most of all enjoy watching your produce grow and enjoy picking it fresh to eat
I buy GW magazine too, but equally I good read it for nothing at my local library, where there are numerous gardening books; all free to read or borrow. Buy a copy if you find them helpfull and want a permanent reference.
AND join your local gardening clubs, and talk to people.
You cannot rely on one book having all the knowledge you need to make you a good gardener. But, if you want a cheap source of books, try the charity shops. They always have plenty of gardening books whenever I look.
Posts
I have gardeners world magazine paid for using Tesco vouchers, which means I haven't had to spend any money. The articles and advice are appropriate to the season so it tells you what to do that month in clear steps with lots of pictures so you know what you're aiming at.
www.allotment.org.uk check it out...cool site !?
Another vote for the Dr. Hessayon books. Just enough info without baffling you with detail. Worth every penny.
The soil test kit is a another brilliant idea, sadly though through my own experience the kits seem very hit and miss. Two test kits from the same manufacturer can give differing results.
A Gardeners World back to back test feature would be good.
If you use a soil test kit take the soil from a few inches down to use. When ur buying plants in ur local garden centre, try asking the staff for advice. Alot of them are probably very knowagable & enthusiastic gardeners. Gardeners World mag & web site is full of good advice.
Do a search on Amazon for second hand books, or TKmax, I picked up Green Gardening & The RHS Encylopedia there for less than £20 for the two. Have to say though, I've taped every episode of Gardener's World & keep them for over the winter months & rewatch them all before I ditch them. Between that and the magazine I've learned buckets & if you just put in to practice a few things you've learned every season you'll soon be an expert yourself!
I am a very new and very novice gardener. I am not sure where to start and any help and advise would be very welcome. I am thinking of growing herbs and veg in containers to start with.
My advice is try the easy things first. Usually tried and tested to be easy. Dont spend too much trying everything because in my experience, it all becomes too much and you are overfaced with it all. We have had courgettes, carrotts in pots/planters, tomatoes, potatoes in tubs and herbs. All very successful. This has boosted the confidence to try some others. Last year we had kohl rabi and the pigoens had cabbage, cauliflower and celeriac not to mention the beetroot..... We did have some beans but there werent that many. I would rather have success at a few than lose most because either I cant afford all the different ways to stop the pesky pigeons or because its too dry or I havent had enough time..... so to sum up:
try easy to grow veg to get some confidence
build up the knowledge and the skills base
dont try everything at once
and most of all enjoy watching your produce grow and enjoy picking it fresh to eat
good luck
Hi Boxstergirl
Have a look at www.charlesdowding no dig gardening fantastic website wished I'd found it years ago. Good luck
I buy GW magazine too, but equally I good read it for nothing at my local library, where there are numerous gardening books; all free to read or borrow. Buy a copy if you find them helpfull and want a permanent reference.
AND join your local gardening clubs, and talk to people.
You cannot rely on one book having all the knowledge you need to make you a good gardener. But, if you want a cheap source of books, try the charity shops. They always have plenty of gardening books whenever I look.