[Greengage]

We might be back in business soon, as people turn to growing their own food again and building compost toilets.

[tagwex]

Never a truer word said. It will be celtic tiger bust again, but hopefully on a smaller scale.

[Blowin]

From the burst of enthusiasm, I somehow think the Receivers have been called in?

[tagwex]

According to our TD's every available window cill will be growing lettuce shortly.

[Greengage]

maybe people have turned to other formats for discussing gardening, like twitter, instagram, tic toc and facebook must have missed the jump again in technology.

[Blowin]

I'm not sure you're right, GG. It's tragic to see what was a thriving friendly site decay so badly but there were rumblings over a year ago when it was suggested the forum was getting too clicky with banter that could have looked unwelcoming to a potential newbie. The answer, as I recall, was that it was only in fun and 'get used to it', but maybe they chose not to?

Periodically I scan down the odd post from way back and wonder where all those familiar names have gone. It reminds me of something a Sales Manager told me once, in that the Company has to issue verbal warnings, written warnings, final warnings etc. before dismissing an employee, whereas a customer can give you instant dismissal.

Since GPI has dried up, I've tried a couple of others. One I didn't feel comfortable with and the other I've stuck with, but I can assure you, GG, both are brim full of activity which would challenge the notion they're all on social media?

[tagwex]

You may have hit the nail on the head there Blowin, as the numbers dwindled the banter and chat did increase because there is a certain familiarity amongst the core members as we have been here so long and know each others leanings towards certain subjects and differing strengths in certain areas. There was, and still is to some extent, not a lot to talk about, advise or debate currently. Personally I have had no garden now for almost two years but hope to have one again by the end of this year so I will be pestering you all again for advice!
Just as the bust of the celtic tiger drove people to growing their own veg and the knock on effect of putting more effort into their shrubs and flowers then I am expecting this current crisis to have much the same effect shortly with tens of thousands now unemployed.
It cannot go unnoticed that our glorious leader has had no say for well over a year now and that doesn't help the situation at all. You would think that he would start up a few threads to keep the thing ticking along.

[Blowin]

Yep. From previous experience in a totally different arena, there are those who derive benefit from asking about things, and others who 99% provide the answers. When I was a snooker referee, as most of the membership had moved up into the more senior ranks, we had very little to discuss amongst ourselves and no juniors to help, so it all fell a bit flat. This forum is somewhat similar.

The thing that upsets me is that one could compile a virtual encyclopaedia of gardening info, ranging from 'how to plant carrots' to 'clipping the top of a 15 foot hedge', all of which would presumably be lost for ever if the forum closes down.

[tagwex]

What are the other forums that you have dabbled with?

[Blowin]

Gardeners Corner was the one I didn't stay with. It was very difficult to navigate around (for me). I've got a few larger articles, one you've seen, and they weren't at all co-operative in any form of publishing them so, as I'm not one of those who asks for advice, I said I'd withdraw. The cheeky sods then put 'Banned' against my profile (Coachman).

The one I'm staying with is Gardeners World, the forum side of the BBC Magazine. Much easier and versatile.

[tagwex]

I'm not so sure about that, I like the idea of being on a purely Irish site.

[Blowin]

I understand. Your call entirely but, for me, a garden's a garden and, as long as it's not in the other hemisphere or something, I'm happy.

[Greengage]

I have been on Irish gardener on facebook and there is another one called Irish floras and fauna but its not gardening think ill leave it soon. I have been on a couple of beekeeping sites but got banned from two for questioning the wisdom and peoples understanding of ecology and the complex relationship with insects.
Ah sure these things happen. As for the garden things still going strong. All is well. I think there was a recent post on apples but they never came back I also don't seem to be getting posts to say someone posted here.

[tagwex]

[Keeks]

I think if you archived all the various forums and reduced it to 4 or 5 you might seem more people.....or maybe not

A general Form
One for growing food
One for growing Ornamental (Flowers shrubs etc)
One for Silver Surfer (i.e plant identification)