[sion01]

What is the lesson learn't from last year that you will be arming yourself with for this years campaign.

Mine is to be more patient and try not to sow things too early just so that I can get going.That and to try and plant my leeks in the patch after if lifted the early spuds to maximise my production.I always et the timing wrong and end up with a bare bit through winter

[Fisherman]

Better succession sowing for me so I don't get gluts.

[sowitgrowit]

Better succession sowing for me so I don't get gluts.

Exactly what I was going to say! In my first year of attempting to grow any veg whatsoever, I planted all of each variety in one go; which obviously led to 10,000 runner beans one week, none the next, etc.

I've got a 2012 planner and have marked up what I will do for each veggie in what half of each month (I've filled in 'til mid-Summer, I'm looking into what I can sow in summer/autumn so I don't leave the whole place barren over late autumn & winter again).

[DD.]

This is my solution as regards lettuce and probably adaptable for other seed:

My system for sucessive sowing & planting, which works for me is firstly to start off a few seed - just a small pinch in a plant pot. (Early in the year this will be in the greenhouse, but at this time of year it's outside).

When big enough prick these out into seed trays ansd grow on. At the same time sow some more seed. Do NOT put this off, if you're like me, you'll forget. Doing this is a good habit!

When second lot of seed are ready for pricking out, repeat the above step, but with the addition of planting the first load of plants out.

If you get into this routine, you'll have letttuce all season and won't have to make notes to remind yourself to sow more. You don't need to sow many at a time & with careful storage  packet of seed will last years.

As regards runner beans, I don't find the need for successive sowings. Once they start to crop pick every bean regularly and they should see the season out.

[ilan]

I think I also need to sow a little and often but also try and work out more what we use and eat ! I have a freezer full of runner beans and tomatoes but ran out of potatoes and carrots before Christmas 

[allotment-bill]

My Lesson Learnt is to cover the strawberries before the birds get them

[MichelleC]

My lessons learnt: Don't grow too many varieties. I spent all my free time pricking out, potting up, hardening off etc and had tomatoes coming out of my ears and struggled to plant everything due to lack of space.
Don't store pumpkins in the shed. The temperature varied too much and they rotted.
Watch my sunflower heads to make sure the birds get the seeds and not the rats. 
Dry the onions for longer.x

[leeks r us]

must grow more carrots and not give to many away?

[JayG]

Don't kid yourself that just because you spent £3.50 on 5 F1 cucumber seeds and got them to grow to about 18" tall that they will show their gratitude by growing beyond 19" and actually produce something! 

(Sorry, I might just have mentioned this before!)   

[MichelleC]

Forgot the lesson about carrots. I now have enviromesh ready and waiting. X

[Chrysalis]

All of the above 

Plus: just do what you can, when you can.  It's supposed to be a pleasure not a drudge!

[mattwragg94]

my lesson learnt is that no matter how much i try my mum wont let me turn her flower border into a veg border. oh and not to be tempted to pick peas too early  - the pods look big but they only have little peas in the.

[Mr Rotavator]

My top 5 lessons learnt for this season are:

1) Environmesh

2) Successive planting

3) Not to use loo rolls for plants (they didn't grow well in them)

4) Firm ground for sprouts

5) Take the greenhouse down before the gales start...

[Growster...]

1) Grow leeks that will last until Feb/Mar properly. (i.e. plant later variety, still got about fifty, but very leggy).

2) Carrots up high - the new 'Growster Carrot Platform' is being built as we speak.

3) All tomatoes outside (greenhouse possibly not as good as we thought last year).

[teasmade!]

well after the first year hmmmmm???

1. Good mesh to stop pigeons and whitefly 

2. Polytunnels aren't so much fun when there are gails a blowing!!!

3. Persistance with weeds works