At our May meeting , Wanda very ably demonstrated how to plant a successful hanging basket, the beautiful results of which can be seen left. Wanda’s tips included:

– use a basket liner – either purchased ready made or cut from eg coconut matting material – but don’t trim this until the basket is full

– cover the bottom of the basket with a double layer of black plastic to aid water retention

• –  add chicken manure fertiliser pellets and  water retaining granules  into the compost then water  well before putting this mix into the basket to approx a third/half level

– plant the basket top and sides with a mixture of desired plants such as calabrattia, trailing fuschia, lobetia, lysimachia nummularia, and glechoma. When fully planted, fill the basket with more compost and then cover the compost with damp sphagnum moss to reduce evaporation and absorb more water. Drench the basket with water before hanging up – a pulley is  a useful aid to easier watering but is not essential.

At our June meeting we discussed growing herbs. Mediterranean herbs such as basil and rosemary enjoy being in poor quality/used compost and kept on the dry side, in full sun wherever possible. To prevent herbs mixing in to each other in a large pot, several members recommended planting smaller pots of each herb within a bigger pot. Basil should not be allowed to flower and if  planted around tomatoes,  discourages bugs  Continue reading →

At our April get together we reflected that the mild weather this year means our gardens seem ahead and more colourful than usual for this time of year . A number of the group have now planted their seed potatoes and courgettes (see March post for planting info)  – progress is keenly awaited by all.

Roberta had brought different varieties of daffodils for us to admire and identify. these included Binka, Pheasant Eye , Mounthead and Winston Churchill ( see picture )

We debated the joys of ivy (eg attractive/ excellent for wildlife) and problems (eg poisonous/ smothers everything)  with one member really struggling to get this under control. RHS  Recommendations for controlling/removing ivy are at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=192

We talked about  planting garden pots . Nita advised it is vital to plant in good quality John Innes compost and to add grit. Pots should be fed once a month with tomato fertiliser – this was used by many in the group. The group shared planting ideas with Nita having  had great success with the following plant groupings: Continue reading →

 The group shared their love of sweet peas which, if not yet started should be asap – and  then planted out with support as soon as ready. (Pinch out the top two leaves once three pairs of leaves have formed to encourage ‘bushiness.’) Wanda has great success supporting her seedlings with twigs up to a privet hedge where they romp away once at that height.

Update on Monty Don Gardeners World sweet pea trial: This trial a couple of years ago compared the performance of the same variety of sweet peas (Monty Don) and found that where  seeds were started in October they produced twice as many flowers as those started in the spring.

Maureen reported back that the spring bulb pot she demonstrated has flowered well Continue reading →

February meeting:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Snowdrops, cyclamen, Himalayan poppies and hellebores were  among the plants being enjoyed in our gardens at the moment, with Bill (Ashton) photographing the slide show photos shown in this post,  from his lovely garden, the morning of the meeting.

Brian (Leach) took us through vegetables suitable for growing in confined spaces (pots/borders/raised beds etc) and suggested any  novices could try potatoes, spinach beet, onion sets , courgettes, swiss chard and also parsley and rhubarb. We agreed to buy early potatoes and courgette seeds, for members to discuss ‘spritting and next steps’ at our March meeting and ‘have a go’.

Continue reading →

At our meeting today, Dec. 5th, we celebrated the impact of the milder weather and the relatively late frosts with, for example, sweet peas only just finished flowering for one member and artichokes and tomatoes still growing for another!

Dahlias: Leaving dahlias in the ground and heavily mulching them or digging up and storing the tubers was discussed. It is really important if the tubers are dug up for them to be washed in lukewarm water (to remove soil etc) and then placed upside down to allow them to dry before being  planted in compost and stored in a dry frost free place. (Dusting on fungicidal powder first can be valuable in preventing disease.) The tubers  can then be replanted outside once the danger of frost passes. Also at this point cuttings can be taken where the tubers have sprouted.

Continue reading →

At our 3rd October meeting Brenda (McKenzie) led an initial  session on Garden Planning. Brenda had attended external Garden Planning sessions a few years ago,

Brenda’s lovely garden

following which she planned out and achieved the garden she wanted. Some of the key messages were:

• keep it simple and be flexible
• decide what you want to use the garden for
• plan for future seasons and years
• focus on achieving what you want.

Brenda reiterated the importance of drawing your garden and existing or intended key features to scale before starting to think about plants and using garden magazines and other sources to decide what you like and want to include. Garden Planning sessions will continue. The group generally want to make sure they are getting what they want from their own gardens whilst also using ‘to scale drawings’ of one or two of the group who wish to replan, to develop discussions.

Continue reading →