[Pompey Spud]

Personally, I can't see the point in experimenting. I want to grow veg well, not reinvent the wheel. Why bother copying others mistakes.

There's a big difference between experimenting whilst still keeping within the accepted rules, and completely ignoring all the rules.

The "Munty leek method" thread is a good example of the former, starting things off way too early having neither the experience nor the facilities to deal with the consequences is an example of the latter.

That's what I meant.
I'll be 'experimenting' with different varieties of stuff that will hopefully give a longer season like Glacier Toms which be started off later than the others.

Arctic Lettuce started off in Sept/Oct in the greenhouse.

As well as growing Basil on the plot direct and not in pots like I saw in a back issue of KG where a brilliant old Italian has been doing it for years on his plot in Surrey. He grows rows of the stuff.

I'll follow the advice given to be hopefully successful. Which is not experimenting but following someone elses path.

[Elcie]

I planted lots of things too early last year, most notable of which was the sweetcorn.  I spent a lot of time trying to care for them, including potting on and covering with plastic.  The later sown ones did much better and that I guess is the difference.  I didn't gain by planting early, just took up lots of time and I had smaller cobs for the trouble I went to.

However, I wouldn't change it.  I have learnt a lot and this is only my third year.  This year, I will be planting later and will be planting only what I need +2 or 3 spares.  Last year I kept freecyclers in tomatoes/cucumber etc for weeks!

[andy135]

I went on my plot yesterday, just for a mooch around really as it's too cold and wet to do anything, but I noticed that the chap on the next plot already has his beans planted and the shoots showing above ground. There is no protection in place so I don't see how they can survive seeing as we are getting a heavy frost most mornings.
Does he know something I don't.

[sunshineband]

I presume they are broad beans? 

[mumofstig]

Broad beans are extremely hardy plant, so yes they will be growing

[andy135]

He's got the canes set up as a wigwam. They weren't there at the weekend so I presume he's raised them at home and just planted them out.

[DD.]

If they are runner beans - it's curtains!!

[sunshineband]

If they are runner beans - it's curtains!!

Hmm , curtains around a wigwam 

Yes = dead runners 

[Christine]

I entirely agree.

So, if someone has already learned from making that mistake, are they wrong in trying to pass on that knowledge in order to stop someone else making the same one?

Nope. But sometimes it helps if you are passing on local knowledge. I know that what I do down the south of Northumberland doesn't do so well in some of the more northern parts - we're a large county going almost from Newcastle to Edinburgh and from coast to Cheviots. And certainly what works in Watford and Woking won't work quite as well in my town. Luckily some of the old geezers round here know what they are doing. Some don't. 

[sunshineband]

Christine, I think you have spotted another universal truth:


Being an old geezer doesn't mean you know what you are doing  

[hamstergbert]

...just that, rightly or wrongly, you have been doing it longer so have learned a lot or will never learn anything!

[sunshineband]

...just that, rightly or wrongly, you have been doing it longer so have learned a lot or will never learn anything!

 

and who is to know who is which

[rusty100]

Pays your money -  makes your choice!

[chriscross1966]

Hmm... I enjoy experimenting, if I  didn't there wouldn't be a pot of Oca tubers in the garage, I'd have never tasted Pink Fir Apple spuds  and I'd not have discovered the joy of growing Kelsae giant and Catawissa tree onions.... on the other hand I also grow Aquadulce Claudia, Boltardy and Messelburgh in the same way my dad did 40 years ago....

The GH is filling up with gravel trays of hardy veg, mostly onions and the propagators are cracking more, along with leeks, Hispi's, chillis and strawberries, all to the timing on the packs.... there's another batch of seeds waiting for the leeks, cabbages and   onions to come out (chilli's and strawbs will need a while longer yet), and in with all the other hardy veg will be some tomatoes, probably Black Krim's for an experiment to get an early outdoor crop plus a few as an early shot at doing some for the GH.... but if they fail then I've got more seeds.....

chrisc

[aelf]

We learn best by experience. I have planted early in the past, only to have to replant again after a late and fatal frost so I now leave the brassicas and legumes til Easter at the earliest. But it takes great will power to stop myself sowing - especially if the sun is out!