Who is your veg gardening guru?

Which person has inspired you to grow vegetables and create your style of vegetable garden?

A writer, gardener, friend, celebrity or even a fictional character...

Mine would be:

First and above everyone else, Joy Larkcom. If you don't know her, seek out her books
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joy-Larkcom/e/B001HOELT4/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
they have been my inspiration for 25 years now and I still learn new things every time I re-read one.

Equal second:
My Gran - grew fruit and flowers to send to market, I spent my pre-school years helping in her greenhouse. I still love the varieties she grew the best!
My Dad - I always asked him when I needed to sow and plant things, now I have to remember by myself - but his advice is there.

I'd love to know who has inspired you to grow veg
Celia

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Permalink Reply by Richard Walton on August 10, 2010 at 15:40

For me, there would be 2 superheroes Simon 'Smithyveg' Smith who you can find at http://smithyveg.blogspot.com/ and Dan Unsworth at http://www.allotment-diary.co.uk/

Both these guys have given me a tremendous amount of help and advice to help lessen the growing pains of pretty much starting from scratch.

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Permalink Reply by Gillian Carson on August 10, 2010 at 16:26

Mine is Harry Dodson from 'The Victorian Kitchen Garden' series that was on BBC TV in the 80s.

And my Dad, of course!

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Permalink Reply by Richard Walton on August 10, 2010 at 18:08

I always get the feeling that TV presenters are inclined to give text book answers, rather than speak from personal experience. I want 'nuts and bolts' answers to my specific problems which, of course is not really feasible with a TV show that has to generate ratings first and foremost.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Wheeler on August 10, 2010 at 22:22

Too many to mention, everyone I meet in this growing world has really helpful and given me thought provoking advice.

If I had to mention some people, My Grandad, Charles Dowding,Mark Diacono Rosie and Ray my RHS lecturers at Sparsholt College....And Bob Flowerdew, who is extremely enchanting and his knowledge is amazing.

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Permalink Reply by Damo on August 11, 2010 at 7:00

Ray is great, he's run some talks at our local Horticultural Society, what a wealth of information on all things gardening he has and such a nice chap too!

Michelle Wheeler said:

Too many to mention, everyone I meet in this growing world has really helpful and given me thought provoking advice.

If I had to mention some people, My Grandad, Charles Dowding,Mark Diacono Rosie and Ray my RHS lecturers at Sparsholt College....And Bob Flowerdew, who is extremely enchanting and his knowledge is amazing.

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Permalink Reply by Damo on August 11, 2010 at 7:02

Not sure why I started or who inspired me but I could listen to Monty Don for hours, just something about his voice that engages me in whatever he's talking about.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Walton on August 11, 2010 at 7:39

I don't watch TV that much, but I guess if pressed to name one presenter who, for me, breaks the mould, it would be Monty Don.

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Permalink Reply by Carrie Gault on August 11, 2010 at 8:13

My Papa and my Andrew :) Plus the many fab older books all over the house on the subject from 2nd hand shops and more recent ones like The River Cottage Veg book. So much enthusisaum on the lotties too.

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Permalink Reply by Soilman on August 11, 2010 at 9:50

For me, it's the brilliant Dr Hessayon (does he really exist!?), supposed author of the brilliant 'Expert' series of books.

Clear, clean, correct (well, largely correct) advice for growing all the main veg crops. Not exactly a fun read, and definitely nothing about the more unusual vegetables, but a brilliant and essential reading staple.

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Permalink Reply by VP on August 11, 2010 at 10:05

Yes, Dr Hessayon does exist - he's called Dave apparently! His Veg Growing book was my first purchase when I started growing vegetables, swiftly followed by his book on fruit. Joy Larckom is another favourite, plus Caroline Foley's books on allotments give sound, practical advice.

Sadly I have no personal mentor - there's no track record of gardeners in my family and there's hardly anyone around usually when I go up the allotment!

Soilman said:

For me, it's the brilliant Dr Hessayon (does he really exist!?), supposed author of the brilliant 'Expert' series of books.

Clear, clean, correct (well, largely correct) advice for growing all the main veg crops. Not exactly a fun read, and definitely nothing about the more unusual vegetables, but a brilliant and essential reading staple.

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Permalink Reply by Liz Postlethwaite on August 11, 2010 at 13:38

Joy Larkom has to be my top too! Closely followed by Bob Flowerdew and Monty Don. Oh and the world famous Brian, my allotment neighbour, who can grow anything perfectly and has given me more useful advice than I could ever get from books!

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Wheeler on August 11, 2010 at 14:53

Ray is such an inspiration,he is a wonder to listen to,knowledge outstanding, love his lecturers.He is retiring next year from Sparsholt he will be missed. What do you give such a man has a gift?Will bring it up for discussion nearer the time.

Damo said:

Ray is great, he's run some talks at our local Horticultural Society, what a wealth of information on all things gardening he has and such a nice chap too!

Michelle Wheeler said:
Too many to mention, everyone I meet in this growing world has really helpful and given me thought provoking advice.

If I had to mention some people, My Grandad, Charles Dowding,Mark Diacono Rosie and Ray my RHS lecturers at Sparsholt College....And Bob Flowerdew, who is extremely enchanting and his knowledge is amazing.