Where art thou?

[Yellow Petals]

I know I don't chat much about gardening on here (although I do have a nice colourful back and front garden, well taken care of) I spend more time taking in advice from the resident experts than attempting to give any and I know that I haven't been here since day one so I can't put dibs on anything but .....  I'm sure I'm not the only one to have noticed the rapid decline of posts from old (when I say old, I mean established!) posters and plentiful gardening topics.  Some of the regular posters with bountiful knowledge that were here when I arrived (about 18 months ago I think) have gone!  So many newbies, so little garden talk.... <sigh> Or am I alone in my rambling thoughts?

[Yellow Petals]

[Derekthefox]

I see this as a wonderful site Yellow Petals where we can talk about all sorts of subjects. Being an allotment site, there is inevitably a lot of talk about vegetables and flowers, generally within the edible and non-edible sections. Then other subjects get raised, most commonly in here (The Shed), and I can claim to be one of those culprits - mainly because I don't see myself as being particularly knowledgeable about plants, so do not post so much in those sections.

I understand your comments, and can empathise with them, but I am happy with the layout as it is. For me, it is more about sharing time with friends, and gathering gardening info along the way . . . The warmth this gives me, far outweighs the lack of serious horticultural discussion.

I hope to be on this forum a long time, along with the many wonderful friends I have made whilst here, I can only wish the same for you!

Derekthefox

[Roy Bham UK]

I don't think there is much to concern ourselves about as we are now in the "silly season" (have I got that right?) when politicians go away for very long breaks and the media can't find anything to talk about?

I think when the kids are back to school (inc politicians ;D) then it will pick up ;D and we will be back to normal. 8)

Hang in there Girl ;)

[Merry Tiller]

I agree to a certain extent, there is a lack of interesting allotment related postings on here at the moment, also the baby googoo talk is very tiresome & offputting at times. I don't come on as much as I used to partly for the above reasons.

There seems to be a large influx of new members which is a good thing of course but many of them seem lazy and ask the same old questions over & over instead of using the search facility which is very good

[terrace max]

I've noticed that the edible forum has got pretty untidy recently - lots of duplicate threads and posts which suggest that a thread hasn't been read too closely!

Perhaps we need a 'sticky' post at the top of the edible front page requesting that people search (a bit) before posting and ensure they're posting in the right sub-forum?

[terrace max]

...maybe I should have posted that last post in 'Website Suggestions'?!

[Marianne]

I used to visit a site relating to the collection of silver and was very pleased to browse and pick ideas as well as offer my own thoughts and contributions.

Unfortunately, some "clever" person came along and introduced all sorts of "rules" before newbies could even contribute to the site or even enter certain forums.  They were vetted as to the intent of their visit to the site! Useless to say that it got so tiresome that I, together with many others, left the site, sick and tired of the "elite" who thought they knew better than anyone else.

What I am trying to say is that A4A is a wonderful site where knowledgeable people contribute countless ideas and experience.  Let's hope it stays this way.  We do not want this spirit to disappear.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[undercarriage plan]

Marianne, couldn't have said it better myself! I remember how scary it was being a newbie, not knowing the ropes, nearly had palpitations on first post.  But met lots of lovely friendly peeps, and hope I will continue to for long time to come. Lottie  ;D

[Yellow Petals]

I wasn't suggesting we bring in the Third Reich to monitor A4A, just something to keep both the old regulars (who have disappeared in quantity) and newbies here for the long haul  :)

[GREENWIZARD]

chill pill anyone?

[undercarriage plan]

I'll fall off my chair!!!....Lottie  ;D

[Yellow Petals]

chill pill anyone?

Shouldn't you be in bed by now, GW? Or have you taken some stay-awake tablets? LOL

[busy_lizzie]

I think Roy is right.  The main growing season is slowing down and we are all picking produce.  I have done a little bit of weeding at my plot but I mainly go for my produce now.  I haven't started to think seriously yet about the seed catalogues and next season's planting, so I think there is a bit of a lull at the moment.  I am sure once the holidays are over and the children are back to school, the board will be as vibrant as ever.  :) busy_lizzie

[GREENWIZARD]

matchsticks in situ YP

[Carol]

GW,,  I like your new emoticons, or whatever they are called.  You had a special order from Argos!!!  they are good.   Heck I dont know how to move lettering, far less put things on.

:D :D :D :D

[redimp]

I used to visit a site relating to the collection of silver and was very pleased to browse and pick ideas as well as offer my own thoughts and contributions.

Unfortunately, some "clever" person came along and introduced all sorts of "rules" before newbies could even contribute to the site or even enter certain forums.  They were vetted as to the intent of their visit to the site! Useless to say that it got so tiresome that I, together with many others, left the site, sick and tired of the "elite" who thought they knew better than anyone else.

What I am trying to say is that A4A is a wonderful site where knowledgeable people contribute countless ideas and experience.  Let's hope it stays this way.  We do not want this spirit to disappear.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

A good post Marianne - the only thing I would say is I do not want to lose the experience because of the chat and I hope the two can live side by side - I do both after all.  There are a few faces I have not seen for a while - Phil is one that springs to mind.  I am hoping tha they are just far to busy harvesting and eating during the summer and that they will be bcak in the Autumn.

[bupster]

Give us newbies a chance  ;) If I hadn't found this site it's doubtful that I'd have taken the chance on an allotment; I might have found the whole project too intimidating. Instead I'm keen enough to be up tonight after work cutting down brambles in the rain, inspired by the idea - and the people on this forum - that it's possible to be good at this, to make it work.

It may also be that the (reasonably) good weather has prompted more people to think of growing their own veg etc., and the influx of newbies could well tail off as it gets colder, when I imagine the site will come into its own as people start planning and working for the new season ahead.

I, of course, will still be cutting down brambles.  :)

[Granny_Smith]

Colder and darker bupster.

Some of us more "dedicated" plot holders have been known to carry on digging whilst wearing head lights - we can't give up just cos it gets dark. If I don't get my daily fix of fresh air and exercise after working in an office all day, I get withdrawal symptoms.

Keep cutting those brambles back.

[Marianne]

I am sure everyone is keeping very busy on their lotties and no doubt as you say, once the long dark days reappear, they will all come back to contribute more.

Let's welcome the "newbies" who, no doubt, have also lots to contribute.

Have a lovely day all !

;D ;D ;D ;D

[daisymay]

I was a bit upset when I first read the start of this thread, felt a bit unwelcome as a relative newbie! but glad some of the old timers (no offence!) have stuck up for us and the tone seems to have shifted to making us feel welcome again.

I was terrified by this site when I first found it, it took me about 2 months to make my first post! as Lottie said, when you finally do - the welcome is amazing and I soon felt at home.

I like the balance of chat v techy stuff it provides, though do agree in the past few weeks it has been a bit quieter.

I do, where ever possible, help other newbies by pointing them in the direction of similar threads or search function, or sharing the limited knowledge I have picked up, in the hope the more experienced of you will concentrate on the more challenging posts and we can all learn something. 

does this seem fair to you?!  :)