I agree Robbi, but there are so many people wanting mentors for aspects of gardening they haven't tried yet, I was unsure of what to do. I think we need to keep this for newbies .. people with minimal or no experience as a whole to gardening.
X
CLOSED: Mentor - Newbie Swap part 2
_Murphy_, here is the link for the Winter Sowing forum:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/coldsow/all/
dryad57, here is a link to the Seed Germination forum:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/germination/all/
X
Hi Terese - yep, new to seeds, but not new to gardening. After reading the Seed Germ. forums for the past few weeks (thanks X!) it just made me realize how much I don't know about seeds! And I'm beyond lucky to live literally just a few miles from Illoquin and she teaches me so much that every time I see her I come away with my head swimming.
Robbie, you've highlighted how experienced DGers help on individual bases - and the recent few posts have pointed out just how much there is to know about gardening (xeriscaping, invasives, etc.); help from experienced DGers such as what you provide is invaluable. On the other hand, I'm personally not surprised that some people who may be new to DG have plenty of prior practical gardening experience and may be able to mentor right off the bat. (We may just have a verbiage issue in some instances - some people may read "Newbie" as strictly related to the DG site, and others may consider it as relating only to gardening.)
I have also read many of the Beginner things, as well as in the Winter Sowing forum. I find what Xeramtheum has started here to be valuable because it pairs people on a *very specific* topic - allowing us to use dmail for targeted questions and issues. True, answers to these may be available in the Forums, but there is so much out there that it can be intimidating for people who are "DG Newbies", rather than gardening newbies. (It's a lot to read if you have a very specific question.)
Sorry for the soapbox - I'm a former adult educator and it just sort of flipped a switch.
Robin
Byo -- I wish I wasn't so far from Suzy... i'm sure i could learn tons from her too... but 3hrs round trip is too much to take.
I love the whole idea of being able to share the knowledge and experience that's floating around in my head with like minded folks. What a great way for me to "pay it forward" by way of thanks to all the experienced gardeners who helped me learn.
With this method it's more individualized and allows us to share areas of common interest. I think it's great! I agree with dryad57, I think DG can be a bit intimidating and over whelming initially.
>>DG can be a bit intimidating and over whelming initially
I think i pretty much jumped in head first last year.
what a fun ride it's been.
dryad57-I really wasn't meaning anything by my post except that I was wanting to help new members. I myself am new to gardening at least somewhat-I just purchased my first home in May 2007. All I know I have learned from grandma, books and the web. I started Daves at the end of June and by Sept I was hosting a swap for Newbies.
I had wonderful people help me here in Dave's and that is what I want to do for others. I am in no way saying that DGers who are new to certain aspects of gardening, shouldn't get the help...I was just saying that I was hoping to help new members. Nothing more.
Sorry if you misunderstood.
Why that is very nice of you distantkin :-)
Oh, I'm so sorry Robbie, I didn't express myself well. I've seen many of your posts offering great advice (I lurk more than I should!) I think we may mean the same thing, but are expressing it differently :)
LOL-No problem-my bad as my kids say LOL...stop LURKING and say hello :o)
Hello Miss Lady in Waiting, Robbi!
LOL - I get in so much trouble when I stop and say hello - I forget where I was, and then I'm off on another post - ROTFL!
Hi Robin...wanted to say thanks for the new member seeds! Some went out to Indiana today :o)
You are very welcome. I hope they enjoy it all.
I am a newbie; area 5. Will like to partner.
Welcome John ... will you be winter sowing, or just new to gardening all together?
I have a few seed packets already available, as i was going to send them out in a seed swap.
here is what I have
Asclepias curassavica Scarlet Milkweed http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/604/
Coreopsis Grandiflora 'Early Sunrise' http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Asteraceae/Coreopsis_grandiflora.html
Gaillardia aristata 'Goblin' [blanket flower] http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/31614/
Helianthus annuus Mammoth Sunflower 'Gray Stripe' http://henryfields.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_12031
Ipomoea purpurea 'GrandPa Ott" Morning Glory http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/51597/
Mirabilis jalapa Fuschia 4-O'Clocks http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/92/
Let me know if there is anything you want. all are easy to sow.
Hi John (Again). Glad you found the thread. I just sent you another D-Mail :o)
Robbi, you have d-mail
Sorry - just saw this - do you still need a z. 6 mentor? For Mellymass? I'll do, I guess! I had lots of growth, many many many sprouts, and I know exactly what NOT to do, LOL.
xx, Carrie
OH, just read the whole thread - Michaela, did you take Mellymass? x, Carrie
I'll put you down for Melly so michaela won't have to do double duty.
X
Hi Carrie - I think mellymass is closer to you - we can share if you like, or you can take her. She seems like a lovely person. I can even give you seeds that you can give to her! How does that sound, buddy?
Hmmm let's talk separately, Michaela, but I'll be in on it somehow, m'dear. x, C
Since we only have 1 newbie looking for a mentor, I think we will close this for now and start a new one in March. Cattjovi, Arlene is in my zone so I'll take her.
Thanks to everyone who is a mentor for signing up and thanks to the newbies for wanting to learn.
As I said, we'll restart this list in march.
Xeramtheum
Thanks X
Yes indeed - thanks X for doing this.
Thanks everyone for participating. This is a good group.
>>Sorry - just saw this -
Carrie, I've been wondering where you have been. ;-)
Xeramtheum, thanks for taking the time to set this up! Good stuff!
Y'all are very welcome .. it's been fun!
X
Yes, a great big thanks to X!
Thanks X, you are our leader.
Lol .. oh jeeze I'm just another (muddy) one of the gang. I spent the afternoon sowing seeds and moving things around in the greenhouse so I could fit the seed trays in.
X
That sounds so wonderful. I have to re- winter sow, as I lost 3 flower beds last night in the storms that went through. Not going to be fun, it has turned cold again and I'm just going to say the heck with it right now.
OH Bummer Robyn.... due to high winds?? hope those tornadoes were not in your area... too scary.
Oh bummer indeed! I lived in Indiana during my college years so I kind of have an idea of what your weather is like right now.
X
Robin...if you need seeds-LET ME KNOW!!!!!!
I just posted this for New Members
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/803092/
We had heavy rains, run off and high winds. My back yard was a lake, the ground couldn't soak it up fast enough. A tree limb broke off and came down in one of the gardens, it broke the sides down and everything washed out. The other one had the neighbors trough in it. That tore up a fence and numerous other things. I'm glad the horses didn't spook and try to make a run for it through that barb wire. Everything is back to where it should be but the beds. I am glad everyone is okay, flowers can be replaced. It will take me the rest of the year to do it, but I will get it done.
Just glad to hear everyone, horses included are fine.
Yes, glad you are okay - sorry about the gardens.