practical experience
Last post 06-12-2009 12:17 AM by bogweevil. 6 replies.
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04/12/2009 07:26 PM
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- obie
- bucks
- 06 Aug 2009
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2
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I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for gaining some hands on gardening experience? I don't have a garden of my own and am on a 2 year allotment waiting list. I would like to work as a gardener eventually but I know I'm a long way from having the right skills and knowledge. I plan to do the level 2 cert in September. I have registered with my local volunteering centre but no luck yet. So am I missing anything? Has anyone got any thoughts on volunteering for WWOOF as a way to gain experience ? I've seen that you could choose to go to a organic garden rather a farm. Any ideas welcome.
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04/12/2009 08:53 PM
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- jon jon
- stratford on avon
- 18 Sep 2009
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284
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Have you thought of volentry work at one of the national trust properties.
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04/12/2009 09:48 PM
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Hi Obie Could you just go to the allotment where you have been put on the waiting list and stroll around, and just start chatting to the gardeners there. You will find them to be a very friendly bunch of people (usually).When you get to know one or two, perhaps you could just do a bit of helping out when you have time eg helping with planting, digging, etc., watering when people are away on holidays etc After a while they may give you some seeds, the odd cabbage etc.You will build up some good gardening know-how, meet a few new friends, and when you do get your allotment you will be off to a flying start! :-)
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05/12/2009 07:53 AM
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- Phot's-Moll
- The sunny South coast.
- 06 Jan 2007
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4,547
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Are you a member of your local horticultural society? (If not then join) Ask them if any members would be willing to show you a few techniques in exchange for you doing some hard work for them. Most gardening clubs have several elderly members who're knowledgeable, some of whom would appreciate a bit of help. If they have a shop or produce a newsletter you could volunteer to help with that - you can gain a lot of info chatting to people. If you'd like some training on digging out bindweed, then pop down to my allotment - I'll be happy to let you practice all winter long!
Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.
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05/12/2009 11:35 AM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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4,072
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I've done some WWOOF-ing and whilst it was, on the whole, enjoyable, you need to be quiet clear that you want to learn about growing techniques, or you may find you spend all your time doing things like weeding and odd jobs that the hosts don't have time to do themselves. Checking out local gardening clubs is a good idea - go to some of the meetings and tell the other members that you're looking for experience. A few of them will be glad to help you and you might find yourself involved in some interesting projects.
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05/12/2009 09:13 PM
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- obie
- bucks
- 06 Aug 2009
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Thankyou Miranda, and everyone else, for your ideas. I didnt think of looking for a gardening club but now you have suggested it I can't believe I didn't think of it before ! My local allotments are padlocked most of the time but maybe I could join the allotment society while I am on the waiting list.
I have thought about volunteering at the national trust but the nearest places can't be reached by public transport. I would actually welcome the chance to do some weeding because I am so longing to do something !!! Anyway I feel more encouraged now I have some new ideas to go with. I've also invested in some text books for the rhs level 2 so I can read ahead and get my head around some of that plant biology !
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06/12/2009 12:17 AM
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Are you mad? Do you want to end up like the rest of us poor saps? Get out while you still can! Boggy
Beware the bat-eared bogweevil
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