Good afternoon all

[Kitchen Ambassador]

Hi All,

My name is Pete. I've been a chef most of my life, I have now gone into gardening as my new career. I'm here to gain knowledge from expoerienced Gardeners. Many thanks have a lovely day.

 

[zigs]

Welcome to the forum Pete

 

[Sean Regan]

Hi and welcome!

 

[LouisFerdinand]

Bonjour, Pete!

 

[YumYum]

Howdy.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Welcome to the forum Pete. What sort of gardening? After being made redundant I started off cutting lawns and hedges, but as an ex-chef I suppose you could be starting a kitchen garden, or you might be plunging in at the deep end as a landscaper and garden constructor for others. Whatever, the very best of luck, and I hope you enjoy being outside as much as I did over the years.

 

[Siobhan]

Welcome

 

[Kitchen Ambassador]

Welcome to the forum Pete. What sort of gardening? After being made redundant I started off cutting lawns and hedges, but as an ex-chef I suppose you could be starting a kitchen garden, or you might be plunging in at the deep end as a landscaper and garden constructor for others. Whatever, the very best of luck, and I hope you enjoy being outside as much as I did over the years.

Thank you Oliver. I'm cutting lawns and hedges, exactly as you said . I'm developing my allotment for edibles, and moving into garden maintenence, hopefully landscaping. I'm also studying on line, RHS level 2 principles of plant growth and development. I'm loving being outside its long overdue.

 

[redback]

Welcome Pete. Start with herbs they are the easiest.

 

[Tetters]

Hello Pete, a late welcome from me. Gardening is a bit like cooking. Even when you become ultra efficient and knowledgeable, you will discover something else that will go wrong. None of us will ever know it all, and that is the thing that will keep you hooked. It is challenging and rewarding all at the same time.
I know that if I am in the garden - whatever the weather - and whatever life chucks at me, I will feel better. It is my go to medicine in all circumstances.
Work with nature rather than fight it. Insects all have their place and their part to play. It is better to discourage them in some situations rather than brandish death and destruction.
Oh look, I've gone into sermon mode ...........

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Work with nature rather than fight it. Insects all have their place and their part to play

True, I hated wasps until I realised they were hunting caterpillars on my cabbages.

 

[Kitchen Ambassador]

Hello Pete, a late welcome from me. Gardening is a bit like cooking. Even when you become ultra efficient and knowledgeable, you will discover something else that will go wrong. None of us will ever know it all, and that is the thing that will keep you hooked. It is challenging and rewarding all at the same time.
I know that if I am in the garden - whatever the weather - and whatever life chucks at me, I will feel better. It is my go to medicine in all circumstances.
Work with nature rather than fight it. Insects all have their place and their part to play. It is better to discourage them in some situations rather than brandish death and destruction.
Oh look, I've gone into sermon mode ...........

 

[Kitchen Ambassador]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Much appreciated.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Thank you Oliver. I'm cutting lawns and hedges, exactly as you said

I used to decline hedges on busy roads, they catch all the dust and dirt and the first couple I did actually made me feel ill before I cottoned on why. On the other hand if you live on a busy road get a good front hedge, they protect you from a lot more than noise and nosy neighbours.