What gardening item would you put in Room 101 ?

[Tigger]

If only I knew what you're talking about. despite paying 2 grand a year Council tax, we don't get a near bin collection, bags or ties. Good job we use the library and roll on the occasional chimney fire!!

[Guest]

Looking back over 30 years of gardening, the thing that irritated me most- apart from that ****** book!- was T&M in the early 70's. In those days they sold their seed in plain brown envelopes with identical sowing instructions on every packet irrespective of cultivar (all of the many I bought from them anyway). So you were instructed, for example, to sow your rhododendron seed 1/2 inch deep.... You might as well sow them on the tarmac. I remember writing to them about it. Wasn't surprised to get no reply. Haven't dealt with the firm since. Gawd, how I love a girn.

[Iain]

That, again, was me. SHEESH!
Iain.

[fen not fen]

What has the Polytunnel Companion done to be put in Room 101?

[Iain]

I thought it was a complete waste of money- VERY thin in content, padded out with wide page margins and a big notes section. All-in-all, it added up to not much more than a pamphlet. I thought it a pretty cynical exercise in fact. By no means knowledgeable on the subject, I learned precisely nothing from it and felt I'd been cheated.

[fen not fen]

I'm inclined to agree with you Iain - I looked high and low for it and found it a great disappointment when I finally found it.

Talking of padded out pamphlets, the Alan Romans Potato Book seems to be a padded out version of a pamphlet I bought for 50p or a pound...fortunately I spotted this before it went on my Christmas list.

[Iain]

Fen, I was returning seven (!)veg. books (at armchair gardening I excel) to the library the other day and lo and behold they had got the Romans tattie buke in. Took it out. I too had the pamphlet, bought (£1.25) when I was buying some of his 50p seed.I can understand what you're saying about the pamphlet versus the book, but I think this derives less from any weakness in the book and more from the excellence of the summary that is the pamphlet. To the pamphlet the book adds an interesting, well-researched 15 pages on the history of the potato, together with a detailed section on diseases, and first-rate pics of all the cv.s listed. Actually met the man himself last Saturday at the Potato Day run by Dunblane Garden Society (that's Dunblane of recent tragedy on the Stirling/Perth boundary.) Genuine bloke (of David Bellamy aspect),generous with help to all who sought advice. Really passionate about the humble spud. Doesn't think much of growing them in pots! I wish him well with his seed business.

[Geoff]

Garden Organic and Monsanto should go well together in the same room.

[the grock]

Ive thought long and hard on this subject and now i know what i would put in room 101.never to be seen again.........MR T AND MYSELF! aaaahhhh!

[sue-the-recycler]

Bloody Sonic Mole deterants!! Worse that useless cos they cost the best part of 20 quid and just DONT WORK
If living things are eligible then wasps - dont care how many fruit trees they polinate or how many greenfly they eat - cant stand the hot arsed little gits

[Jenny Green]

I agree with Iain about Alan Romans. Great bloke. He's definitely NOT going in Room 101.

[Guest]

What would I put into Room 101 - Diarmud Gavin and his daft mate Florence Flewellin-Bowin!

[Tigger]

No - I love Diarmuid's leather trousers (as long as he's wearing them) and his speech impediment. Not bothered either way about LLB.

[Chantal]

I'm the total opposite, mainly 'cos I don't like Diarmud's accent. LLB on the other hand is a total sweetie.

Horses for courses as they say...

[Tigger]

There's room for all and least we can stop fighting over James Martin - he's mine!!