Chalfont St Peter Garden Club Newsletter - September 2006

Chairman: Charles Flawn
Secretary: Linda Hills-Harrop
Garden Hut Manager: Cliff Thayer
Treasurer : Robert Bastin

Summer Show Report
Thanks to all the exhibitors and helpers I found organising my first show an enjoyable experience. Mind you, I was very down at the beginning of the week when I thought we wouldn’t have enough exhibits to put on a Show, but you all came up trumps at the last minute. I think everyone is to be congratulated on their entries considering what a challenging year it has been for gardeners with such an early hosepipe ban. It was very good too that we had a lot of new exhibitors, some of whom were entering a show for the very first time. Now that they have dipped their toe in the water I hope they will be encouraged to continue as exhibitors. It was wonderful that our show entries held up in spite of all the weather problems, too much sun, then too much wind at the wrong moment. The judges were very complimentary on the fact that we put on such a good show in spite of it all. Congratulations to everyone.
Grace, Show Secretary.

Our next Summer Show will be on Saturday 18th August 2007 please make a note of this date!

Meetings: This month’s meeting will be at 8pm on Wednesday 20th in the Church Hall when Mr S. Linnegar will be telling us about his Irises. He is very well known as an excellent speaker.

Jane’s Garden Tips
During the last few months of dry weather lawns have suffered especially once the top 4” of soil has dried out, given adequate rainfall they will normally fully recover. Cutting should still be on a high setting, allowing the clippings to fall back onto the lawn to slow down evaporation of water from the soil surface. Now is a good time to carry out renovation and repairs, lightly rake over the lawn to remove thatch, aerate to help rain percolate to the grass roots, apply an autumn feed, it may be necessary to sow seed or re-turf bare or sparse areas when conditions are cooler and moister, maybe not until the spring. Bring houseplants in that have enjoyed a summer break outside and reduce the frequency of watering. While most fruit and vegetables are best eaten fresh, you will often have more than you can eat and may need to store them. The crucial factor when choosing containers to use for storage is that air is allowed to circulate around the crop, choose boxes with slatted sides or bags with open weave. Crops such as potatoes are ideally stored in hessian sacks or at a pinch in strong paper sacks, avoid overfilling. Onions and garlic are best stored in a traditional string or in mesh bags; these are also suitable for cabbage and marrow. Beetroot and carrots will keep for months with leaves twisted off on sand or peat. Slatted wooden boxes are good for apples and pears, it will help to wrap them in parchment paper and keep cool. Always check stored items regularly. As areas of soil are cleared plant a green manure such as mustard which acts as a soil improver when dug in later in the year or cover in black plastic to prevent weeds. Divide perennials and collect seeds. Give evergreen hedges a final trim. Net ponds to prevent leaves falling in. As crops finish in the greenhouse give it a good clean out (disconnect any electrical equipment and cover sockets). Disinfect the inside including paths, brickwork, staging, pots and tools. Rinse well, check gutters and down pipes.

KEITH’S COACH OUTINGS A REMINDER THAT OUR SEPTEMBER 27th OUTING IS NOW A DOUBLE N/T VENUE’(s). FIRST STOP IGHTHAM MOTE (appr.10.30am), THEN ON TO KNOLE HOUSE (ar’v.by 2’pm) - Please let me know if you wish to eat at “Ightham”- (Ploughman’s £5.95- ) ALL NAT.TRUST MEM’S FREE ENTRY WITH CARD, ( NON N/T MEMBER’S £15.00 - PLUS COACH). . NOTE -The Coach will leave “Church Hall” by 9. am. and will exit Knole at 4.30pm. Please ring me first, (01753/884012) make cheques out to “Chalfont St. Peter Garden Club” and send to –MR.K.GOULD, take to the club Hut any Sunday morning. All Postal bookings will be acknowledged by phone..
Booking Slip cut……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…...cut
Please book me ( ) seats for -N/T- VISIT TO “IGHTHAM and KNOLE “- WED.SEPT.27th
COACH ONLY - ( ) C/M’s @ £13.00 - PLUS ( ) N/M’S @ £14.00 ea……Total £………………
N&Adress………………………………………………………………………………
(meals – ring - yes / no (pay on day!)…………………………………………Tel/No………..……


Harvest Festival in Chalfont St. Peter Parish Church.
Please will you consider donating any fruit and vegetables, including tinned goods, such as vegetables, soups, tea, sugar, etc for the ‘London Run’, bring to the Parish Church on Thursday 28th September.
The Flower Festival will be in the church from the 29th to 1st October, do come along and see the beautiful display.

The Garden Hut will be open on Sundays from 10.00 am to 12 noon. Very important, you must show your Membership card. We have ‘end of season’ offers:- 100ltr Irish Moss peat @ £4.75; 75ltr A/B Seed & Potting compost @ £5.10; 75ltr Ericaceous compost @£5.15 and 35ltr @£3.15; 10ltr Watering cans @ £2.90. It is anticipated that Autumn Lawn Feed will be at an advantageous price, details will be posted at the Hut when available. Bulb fibre is in stock for Members preparing bulbs for Christmas. Mushroom Compost, Mulched and Decretive Bark are in stock plus all the usual fertilizers and sundries. Cliff.

Garden Centre until recently I was unaware that there is a ‘Notcutts’ garden centre in Clay Lane, Booker, Marlow. 01494 532532. I have not visited it, but the company has a good name in the trade.

Gerrards Cross Flower Club invites you to join them for ‘3 Tarts and a Florist’ on Wednesday 13th September for a zany evening of flowers, food and fun at the Memorial Centre Gerrards Cross at 7pm. Tickets from 01494 676763

Local Events.
Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newlands Park, Gorelands Lane, near Chalfont St. Giles www.coam.org.uk info: 01494-872163 or 871117
The famous Lilliput Lane Annual Fair returns to the Museum 16 & 17 September

Medieval Living History - Small living history encampment with demonstrations of medieval cooking, crafts and weapons 23 & 24 September
Victorian Harvest Festival - Traditional re-enactment in Victorian buildings, harvest activities and demonstrations 30 September & 1 October
Halloween Spectacular - Halloween entertainment and spooky activities 27 October - (6.00 pm - 9.00 pm)
Chiltern Christmas Craft Show - Organised by Living Heritage Events - www.craft-shows.co.uk
8 - 10 December

Gardens Open. Usually open 2 to 5 pm
Cliveden, Taplow - 06 September 2006
Whitewalls, Quarry Wood Road, Marlow - 17 September 2006
Waddesdon Manor Gardens - 04 October 2006

Buyer Beware. Through the medium of this Newsletter the club is bringing to your attention, opportunities that may interest you, however, you must satisfy yourself that they meet your requirements as Chalfont St. Peter Garden Club will accept no legal, moral or financial responsibility.