Kitchen Garden Forum

Am I missing something or is the forum not as lively as it has been for some time, have we discussed everything to death? The forum does not seem to have the same jolity that it used to have before, but not sure if I know why? We can't even blame the weather, as I feel it is been like this for about six weeks, hot weather and the miserable stuff we have at the moment.

It could just be me? Or has anyone else found this lately?

Signed

A bewildered Compo

Dear Compo, i'm trying my hardest too keep things bright and beautiful, but i had this horrible feeling the other day, that this might be the problem, i hope not.

Hopefully it's just a reflection of the state of the climate - we're all busy gardening rather than talking.

I know it is for me. I'll work outside 'til it goes dark.

You might be right Tigger, not sure when I first registered on here, maybe it was after this time last year.........and this is a normal seasonal lull?

We will see no doubt!!

Compo

To be brutally honest with you all people this site though full of good information has become a little to much for me.I followed a link from someones blog to here and on a quick look I found at lot of information about engines etc so I joined up and thanked the people who posted that info. I looked round the rest of the boards and got involved in one of the many discussions as to the pros and cons of the "Great Organic Debate". I really was not prepared for what followed. The savagery from both sides really shocked me and to be truthfull if I had seen this before I had joined up I probably would not have done so.
I think a lot of members here need to step back and think how their actions affect how others see this forum.
All I would say is that I feel that some people use this site to promote their own ideas as if there is no other way of doing things and their way is the only way. Thread after thread decends into a bloody battle of entrenched ideas with nobody prepared to listen or discuss the topic and the sheer bloodymindedness of it all leeds me to ask "Why are you here if you are not prepared to listen and discuss differences of opinion?"
If we could all learn to respect each others points of view and discuss it with out twisting each others words and opinions we might get a bit more posting from outside the hardcore group of posters that are here at the moment.
Who knows we may not all be right but then again we might be

This site is interesting BUT

1. No New Post button... it's a pia.
2. I'm busy at this time.
3. I'm afraid meaningless debates bore me cos we can't solve the issues and I agree with Beefy on the above.
4. I'm busy.
5. No flowers.

Compo
Your finger is on the pulse, as usual. I don't think it's this forum (General chatter) that's gone off the boil - it's been too boiling of late - but some of the others where there are fewer posts and not many replies to some of them.

Beefy
I can't disagree with you. It must be off-putting to see the interminable and predictable sniping about Organic food/growing. Yes, before you say it, I know I get too easily involved in this. However, remember:-

1 There are a dozen other forums with, between them,
2170 threads at the last count. They mostly contain good, uncontentious discussion and advice. But they could benefit from a lot more contributions.

2 Some of the people who can be most vehement in their opinions on Organic/Global warming/Food miles/GM crops have the best advice to offer from their knowledge and experience.

This quote from your post is well worth repeating:-

"If we could all learn to respect each others points of view and discuss it with out twisting each others words and opinions we might get a bit more posting from outside the hardcore group of posters that are here at the moment."
Alan

From experience it's generally quieter at this time of year - gardeners are gardening.
Regarding the organic debates, they largely consist of wholly unsubstanted criticism of the organic 'fraternity' and the Soil Association, and those who hold those positions refuse to answer to arguments or evidence that disagrees with them, while unwilling to prove anything themselves. What's the point of such a debate?
The ferocity of these debates is a shadow of that seen on other forums, so personally it doesn't bother me, though I can understand how a new member might be shocked. I think it should be pointed out that, in my opinion at least, there's nothing personal about it, it's purely intellectual. I have a soft spot for most of the anti-organic ranters here.
Beefy, I'm surprised at your post as in the debate you refer to you were siding with the worst offenders, so to speak.
I don't honestly believe these debates are the cause of the quietness on the forum. There are other sites where, as I said, things are much more vicious and those sites are far more frequently visited than this one.

On another note, it might make it more interesting to have a 'thanks' button available as I've seen on other sites. This allows people to express their thanks without having to post and will give those who give advice more incentive to do so.

Hmmnnn - whilst I agree with you generally Beefy, I find this Forum reasonably balanced compared to some - the BBC Food message boards are nothing short of hateful at times.

i was on a photography forum a few weeks ago when someone asked for advice on how best to shoot (with a camera) foxes in the garden, someone replied the only good way was with a 12 bore, what that developed into was something on a different level to anything ever posted on here.

even threads on which camera is best have
dissolved into personal abuse.

all in all the attitude on this forum is far from the worst ive seen and the expertise probably some of the best. richard

I would appreciate a new category on people's favourite varieties of veg and why.

I know we have one on technical data which is really interesting but that's a bit more than I mean. We do have people's favourites but they're scattered all over the place and I find it hard to find them as they often crop up under a different title.

I was thinking of something along the lines of
Potatoes - 1st Early (as a title) then people could say which ones they like and why e.g. Maris Bard, waxy, lovely flavour, usually a good crop. (or whatever)

Then when we new ones are trying to choose, we know where to go. The forum admin could put headings in and members could contribute.

I do understand that personal preference, soil, weather etc are factors to be taken into consideration, but it would be a starting point.
------------------
Granny

I'd also like to echo another poster's wish for a flowers forum. Kitchen gardeners do grow flowers too, even if only for cutting.
The mystery plant posts are always fun. I've got another one lined up as soon as the wind stops blowing long enough for me to take a decent photo.

Wow!!

This is the best response I have ever got to starting a thread, and I (mostly) agree with everyone's view points, however, I think that some of the contentious subjects (especially the 'O' word) will always strike a passionate response. The idea I think of a Thanks Button is a good one, I myself have learned to step away from the contentious debates.

Flowers too are a relevant part of the debate, but see no reason that they cannot come under Best Practices, Seasonal Advice and Weeds and Pests, as no one ever said that KG was strictly about Veg, so particular references to cutting or plot type flowers are very relevant and we do our best with the specialist stuff too, although often in General Chatter.

Keep it coming and lets hope that MR PH is able to put a thanks button somewhere

Compo



I still think it is a great forum, and feel I am posting less because I have learned more, and hopefully I am able to give some of my experience back now.

I also from time to time look in on some of my Trade forums and they to suffer from some appalling personal attacks on other colleagues.

Having read some of those comments and indeed the comments at times on this forum I personally put it down to some pretty strong opinions being held without any thoughts of compromise on the other persons point of view however valid....surely the essence of a good debate.

I think that's why the taboo subjects of religion, politics and dare I say organics...should be avoided at all costs