I didn't know sunflowers basically face east and I planted them in a location where they're all standing with their backs to us, smiling cheerfully at our neighbors when they're out on their deck.
I learned that pennyroyal does NOT make a good ground cover for a small area beside a border full of lovely pebbles... I have been out there every few days with my florist's shears snipping and snipping and snipping. And snipping and snipping and snipping. We paid waaaaay too much money for those pebbles to lose them to the pennyroyal. Now I have to dig it all up and plant it somewhere else.
I learned that when a seed packet gives directions for planting it's probably a good idea to follow those directions rather than thinking I know better. Not one poppy came up, only one lavender plant made it out of 3 or 4 packets of seeds, I've been secretly hoping I would see some pyrethrum daisies, but I think I'm gonna have to give up the ghost. I will have to plant them all over again next spring, and this time when they say cover them with plastic wrap I'm going to do that!
I learned that you can't plant seeds and expect to see flowers or pick veggies in a few days, not even a few weeks. It's been over 2 months now and I'm still waiting. When that wise man said "nature never hurries" he wasn't kidding!
I could go on but it's probably best if I stop right here.
A large cat litter tray filled with water.. and a smaller upturned same shaped item.. in the middle is good snail trap.. (with a big enough gap the snails cant reach across.. and believe me they can stretch a far bit) and enjoyed watchin the blackbirds coming and taking them.
I think the warm winter has something to answer for regarding those little creatures of the guu Nin. Hopefully a good few inches of snow will stop them in their tracks this winter!
After the last few days and struggling to keep compost omits and problems with my tomatoes, I think the biggest thing I have learnt this year now is to use decent compost.
Next year I am going to try and have my own as much as possible and only buy good quality compost if I need any extra
Wish I had room for compost bin, ol, I had a tiny one but it wasn't really working,my weak area is support, I' m awful, I have to get someone to bring a drill so I never get round to it..I haven't staked anything hence my new peony flopping and snapping, I must get someone to help my tie all my roses in properly, they're all a bit haphazardly done...any takers?!
I've learnt to take basal cuttings from delphiniums and soft wood cuttings with rosemary. Also how to grow tomatoes Oh and harvesting seeds from more species of plant.Plus the names of plants I've long had in my garden,ID'd courtesy of the good people of these boards. Crikey,quite a bit then
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I didn't know sunflowers basically face east and I planted them in a location where they're all standing with their backs to us, smiling cheerfully at our neighbors when they're out on their deck.
I learned that pennyroyal does NOT make a good ground cover for a small area beside a border full of lovely pebbles... I have been out there every few days with my florist's shears snipping and snipping and snipping. And snipping and snipping and snipping. We paid waaaaay too much money for those pebbles to lose them to the pennyroyal. Now I have to dig it all up and plant it somewhere else.
I learned that when a seed packet gives directions for planting it's probably a good idea to follow those directions rather than thinking I know better. Not one poppy came up, only one lavender plant made it out of 3 or 4 packets of seeds, I've been secretly hoping I would see some pyrethrum daisies, but I think I'm gonna have to give up the ghost. I will have to plant them all over again next spring, and this time when they say cover them with plastic wrap I'm going to do that!
I learned that you can't plant seeds and expect to see flowers or pick veggies in a few days, not even a few weeks. It's been over 2 months now and I'm still waiting. When that wise man said "nature never hurries" he wasn't kidding!
I could go on but it's probably best if I stop right here.
What have I learnt.. hmmmmm
If gonna let them self seed.. to weed out some..
To stake plants earlier
To allow things space to grow
A large cat litter tray filled with water.. and a smaller upturned same shaped item.. in the middle is good snail trap.. (with a big enough gap the snails cant reach across.. and believe me they can stretch a far bit) and enjoyed watchin the blackbirds coming and taking them.
Do not sow direct.
To harden some off for longer next year.
There are more.. but i will keep it short
Wow how many of us are turning into homicidal maniacs this year, slugs are really testing so many peoples will to not use pellets.
Zig zag if sowing direct it might not be your sowing but the slime monsters thats caused what seems like a lack of germination.
I think the warm winter has something to answer for regarding those little creatures of the guu Nin. Hopefully a good few inches of snow will stop them in their tracks this winter!
What have I learnt
Onions and leeks and carrots grown in lines next to each other in a cloche works
Peas are little tinkers to weed in between
My Himalayan Honeysuckle this year grew as much in two weeks as it did in 2 years !!
Not everyone who gives me advice knows what they are talking about !!!
Allotmenteers are more generous than people outside the Allotment
Horse Manure is Pure Magic !!
After the last few days and struggling to keep compost omits and problems with my tomatoes, I think the biggest thing I have learnt this year now is to use decent compost.
Next year I am going to try and have my own as much as possible and only buy good quality compost if I need any extra
Wish I had room for compost bin, ol, I had a tiny one but it wasn't really working,my weak area is support, I' m awful, I have to get someone to bring a drill so I never get round to it..I haven't staked anything hence my new peony flopping and snapping, I must get someone to help my tie all my roses in properly, they're all a bit haphazardly done...any takers?!
I've learnt to take basal cuttings from delphiniums and soft wood cuttings with rosemary. Also how to grow tomatoes
Oh and harvesting seeds from more species of plant.Plus the names of plants I've long had in my garden,ID'd courtesy of the good people of these boards. Crikey,quite a bit then 
well done fishy
Aw thanks rosemummy