Over the Summer months’  relaxed get togethers in different members’ gardens have been hugely enjoyed by all the group. These visits have given us the chance to see three gardens and hear some of the trials, tribulations and joys of  getting these gardens to their excellent and lovely current  states. Tea and cakes also helped the flow of enthusiasm and sharing of ideas. Many thanks to Brenda, Debbie and Barbara our hosts.

On 16th September 10 members of the group visited Ness Botanic Gardens

where Eric Robinson was hosting Gardeners Question Time 70th Anniversary Garden Party. Ness itself was great to explore and lots of stalls had been set where favourite and unusual plants could be bought – and lots were. The BBC had also set up extra activities and a number of the knowledgeable ‘celebrity’ gardeners such as James Wong and Neil Hamilton were there to answer questions and give advice.

The photo above shows Bill (Ashton) asking Neil Hamilton (son of Geoff Hamilton) a question about his troubled lilac bush which Neil felt was probably caused by caterpillars

At a live recording of Gardeners Question Time (to be broadcast Sunday1st Sept at 3 pm) our very own David Ward asked:

Q:  When is the right time to prune blackcurrants and do you remove the old wood

A: Bunny Guinness replied that she cut the branches with the fruit on and then picked the fruit off at the kitchen table thus picking the fruit and pruning out the old wood at the same time.

Sadly it was impractical for our group of 10 to walk around Ness together but this photo shows four of us during our viewing of the many unusual tress within Ness. A great day was had by all.

New members are very welcome to join our relaxed group which meets the first Monday of the month

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