Hi Grundig

What an excellent first post! Informative, thoughtful and - most importantly - with evidence. That's what we need.

Chris

Happy Birthday from me as well - and thanks for the knowledge and wisdom you have shared on the Forum

Chris

Hi A letter in last week's Garden News Recommended "Jack's magic" compost from Westland. I bought a bag yesterday and it looks, smells and feels good - no twigs, clumps, fibres or plastics - 90% peat with added loan. The proof of the compost however is in the growing. But it is nice to hav...

Hi

Thanks for the advice which I have taken on board.

Hi I'm sorry this section has not been as well used as some of us hoped. But worth continuing with it. I've been looking back at my first veg. plot notes from the mid 1970's. Just 2 pieces of advice. Grow the things that you really want to grow and keep a record so that you can learn more each year....

Hi Compost has changed - especially the peat based ones which now often come with lumps, fibres and twigs. I spent last year trying a fairly wide range and ended up agreeing with Which Magazine that B&Q multi-purpose is the best I could find locally. I've just bought another bag for the start of...

Hi Like you I used to use Jeyes - but also came to feel it is pretty toxic stuff with a lingering small. I have also used Citrox - but now just go for thorough cleaning - maybe with a bit of household disinfectant. I don't know how effective good plain washing is - but haven't noticed any difference...

Got going at the weekend and today. In propagator or heated bed - peas (Excellenz), spring onions, lettuce, radish, broad beans (Sutton) and a few carrots - all for later growing in the tunnel for early crops. Also chrysanthemum cuttings. Peppers also sown in propagator at the end of last week. Thes...

Hi Given that this is one of the most interesting of the recent postings I will have a stab at a reply - difficult as it is. From a personal point of view: 1. Previous generations taught me that gardening can be an integral part of life that provides an important dimension keeping us in touch with l...

Interesting and amusing -also amazing what humans can do when they try.

Chris

Hi NB

The one I bought last week was updated in 2009. Most is the same as earlier editions - and over 5.7 million have been printed over the years.

Chris

Hi Monica - totally agree - it would be a shame if this classic book failed to keep up with present needs.

Chris

Hi There are a lot of good ideas in this thread - important to remember that potential newcomers will have very different sites to grow things on and in and very few will (or maybe should) go straight for a largish allotment plot (even if they can find one). Several years ago some Forum contributors...

Hi Although an infrequent contributor to the Forum these days I can't resist this topic having just sent a copy of the Hessayon Vegetable and Herb Gardening book to my son He is becoming interested in growing vegetables and I reckon that this is still the single best basic reference book. The qualit...

Thanks - I will try both suggestions

Chris