From

Location

Message

Date Posted

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I have been watching this site for a good long while. And posting as well. There is a lot of helpful information that has changed hands over the years here and improved all of us as growers and some other things not so often discussed. Some of the information is accepted as being "the way to do things." People just know these things. There are other things people don't know and they know they don't. These things we all are trying to learn. But the things that hurt us all the most are the things we think we know but really don't. These things are what drive us to each year do the wrong things over and over again. So, I am just saying that we all should be thinking about what we are doing and how sure we are that it is the right thing. Be flexible and open to new ideas. As an example, for years I have been pouring chemical fertilizers on to my garden. I am now less certain it was not a mistake from the beginning. But, everyone was doing it. I used pesticides as a preventive measure. Was I right? Should I have waited until I saw some sign of a problem. Was the Roundup I used to suppress weeds the right thing to do. Now, I think not. On and on... think about your garden. Think about what you have been doing forever. Is it the right thing to do to rototill every year, essentially killing the soil life, or should we just be loosening up the soil and balancing it a bit better. Think about these things, be flexible to change, do what you feel is right for you. I guess the message is "Think and don't be so accepting of the things you think you know." Can I get an "AMEN"?

4/9/2019 8:07:06 AM

Central NY

amen!

4/9/2019 8:40:21 AM

Lebanon, Oregon

Thanks for your perspectives and ideas. I'm sure other growers share the same situation I'm in where it's getting down to crunch time, we're in a hurry since we don't have much time, and we do what we know. Any ideas can be helpful for people who's lives are too full of other responsibilities of work and raising a family to spend even five minutes researching ways to improve the garden.

4/9/2019 9:17:58 AM

Morgantown, WV

Amen Marv! I believe what hurts me most in the garden is wanting to be great at everything in my garden. I'm most impressed by all around gardeners who grow everything giant, which leads me many times to being over-extended with too many goals. It would serve me better to focus on one or two things and crush them rather than doing a bunch of things well.

Problem is, you only get one season a year, and winter makes me crazy. Every year I plan to cut back, something else gets added in January, or I get some seed trades in February... By April I'm in trouble with all the plans in my head.

4/9/2019 9:46:12 AM

Western Washington

The vast amount of information available here and elsewhere on the Internet has led to Information Overload with me. Plus, there are often contradictory opinions on the same topics/methodologies, so I've ended up just hoping that I'm doing the best things for my pumpkins. Maybe no one REALLY knows what's best for them, lol, and some point, decisions have to be made.

4/9/2019 11:24:53 AM

Grittyville, WA

True everywhere not just the garden. I would simply say Amen but I will try to add to this with my own observations:

1) money rarely if ever buys success

4/9/2019 4:17:25 PM

Grittyville, WA

2) sometimes best to listen to the plants & nature, (to life) not yourself or others
3) experiment... dont be afraid to admit you dont really know the answer.

4/9/2019 4:21:02 PM

On a cliff in the desert

Failing because of bad things happening and disrespectful people not recognizing that failure is part of this hobby.

4/9/2019 5:49:50 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Over abundance of rain.

4/9/2019 8:24:54 PM

Gone With The Win

To many options on all the juice mixes. A little this little that. Google a little more this at this

4/10/2019 8:48:56 PM

Ontario, Canada

Information overload is a serious issue. Can lead to being a more'on moron if you listen to everything. Just got to filter through all the theory's, opinions, thoughts & studies to figure out what is best for your garden soil & plant.
Hopefully we get it right for 2019.

4/12/2019 8:29:19 AM

Kalamzoo, Michigan, USA

Not being a master of the fundamentals. In this case the fundamentals of growing tomatoes.
The best example of this that I can think of is Willie Mays making "the catch" in the 1954 World Series. You master the fundamentals and THEN you reach for that extra that only hard work and God-given talent can propel you there. Now apply that to your World Record effort and you will most certainly come out a winner come weigh-off time.

4/20/2019 10:10:18 AM