From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Macomb County

I brought a case of boxing gloves for those who are just intent on going 15 rounds. However, the subject of my post is Newbie insecurity and how to deal with it during the critical 1st and 2nd seasons.
    How I dealt with mine was by keeping a notebook. Instead of just passively listening, reading and nodding my head, I'd write major points down. 1,2,3 under the appropriate page heading, such as "soil prep", "seed starting", etc. And when I found myself laying awake at night, just reading over my notes was a great relief and comfort. Plus, it helped me know what questions I needed answers to.
    Most states have their power hitter or hitters, and New England is to giant pumpkin growing, what the Yankees are to baseball, (no offense to the Red Sox), meaning a whole line-up of power hitters. Maybe they know what to say and how to put it. It's not easy to assure someone new they'll get it, when it all seems like a big blur and they're feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information on the site.
    

2/19/2009 9:13:28 AM

Colorado Springs, CO

Remember that first day you rode a bicycle....without help ?
How do you eat an elephant ?.....one bite at a time.
If at first you don't succeed.....try, try again.
Win some.....lose some.
Trail-and-error. You can learn more, and spend less, by learning from other people's mistakes.

So, what questions were you actually wanting to ask here....but were concerned that your questions might not be as potent as comments posed by a "power hitter" ?

Newbie "insecurity".....laying awake at night....sounds like you're taking some issues much too seriously ! What's up with the "boxing gloves" reference ?

2/19/2009 11:36:15 AM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

Boxing gloves because GiantJack always gets alot of feedback from the community about his posts.

2/19/2009 12:27:04 PM

Macomb County

Tomato Man, someone is new to growing and the more I try to reassure them, the more I can see I'm not the one who can. Then when I send them on the site, it often backfires.
All the discussions of everything from seed selection to vine burying to ph and on and on, overwhelms them. This is not an easy site to tell a new grower where to start.
Plus, we can't forget how many people believe in the myth of the "green thumb". So, like you just did, I was hoping maybe if more Growers took a moment to answer Newbie insecurity and self-doubt, we could have a first post to send them to and read to start. Like I wish Sambo would copy and paste his inspirational ones here.

2/19/2009 1:18:41 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

YO Tomato man......

2/19/2009 1:27:19 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

The New Growers forum is a great place to ask questions.
I think it's best to start with the basics, and gradually incorporate more as time, money, and skills allow. Some have great success their rookie season, some take several years to acquire the skills and experience to grow a real big one.
This will be my sixth year of growing, and I'm learning new things each year, that will hopefully help me improve.
As far as helping a newbie, I think the ideal situation would be to have an experienced grower as a mentor. The ideal situation would be if the mentor would be close enought to visit the new grower's patch on occasion to teach and correct mistakes.
Don Langevin's books were a great resource to me when I first started.

2/19/2009 1:35:26 PM

Rhode Island

its fine to accept help and great to have a mentor help you through those first few years.
the biggest problem quite frankly is who do you listen to and how many different suggestions do you follow?
you cant be everything to everybody. or you will only confuse yourself.
there are may ways to grow and many different styles.
i think if i was starting out today what with all the knowledge available vs many years ago? id would find that one person who wanted to help me and was close enough to visit as needed.or possibly join a club in your immediate area and become a clingon --- lol.
then, id also buy several books on the subject and dive in.

2/19/2009 10:16:11 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Jack, a very easy to read, and very good starting booklet is Dick's Tips II, and it also relatively inexpensive, and benefits a great charity...the OAF!!! I recommend it to all newbies!!! Peace, Wayne

2/19/2009 10:17:10 PM

Macomb County

Thanks everyone, you've all ready been a great help. I've had a couple new growers read your replies and now they know it's not just easy for me to say. You've given them a lot of good advice and as I reminded them, it's their fault now, if they don't follow it. No more talk about having a green thumb or it takes being Micheal Phelps as a grower to stand a chance. Darn, just when we were in line to be fanned and fed grapes, lol!

2/20/2009 7:11:24 AM