Chalfont St Peter Garden Club Newsletter - September 2007
Chairman: Charles Flawn
Secretary: Linda Hills-Harrop
Treasurer: Robert Bastin
Garden Hut Manager: Cliff Thayer
http://www.gardenclub.org.uk Dear Member
THE Annual Summer Show on Saturday 18th August was, as
usual, a showcase for the skills of all our local gardeners,
jam makers and bakers, and provided an afternoon of
enjoyment for all. The Community Centre was filled with the
lively buzz of conversation and a friendly companionship
that comes from a shared interest in gardening.
The entries at 476 were up on last year and the judges were
very impressed by the standard across the board. The
vegetables have done very well this year because the rain
seemed to have suited them. The cabbages were enormous and
the quality of all the displays was impressive. It was
noticeable that the judges liked a trio of the same
vegetable to be exactly the same size. Even though other
groups were good, if they varied, they didn't get such high
marks.
In the flower classes, roses particularly benefited from the
wet weather as did the sweet peas and enabled them to last
longer this year. The dahlias and gladioli were rather
weighed down by the abundance of rain, but those on display
were magnificent specimens and were obviously well tended to
bear up so well.
As always the flower arranging classes were terrific. The
talent of these competitors is most impressive.
An excellent photographic display was, for the second year,
a highlight in the Tony Graham room, where there was space
to stand and admire the quality of the photography.
The entries were mainly from the Chalfonts and Gerrards
Cross; a mixture from gardens and allotments. Of course the
Show could not have taken place without all of the
assistance from Stewards, runners and Judges. But a special
THANK YOU must go to Doris Grant and all her helpers for
providing refreshments. Especially the new helpers who
undaunted have agreed to help again next year.
Finally without you the exhibitors and supporters this Show
could not have taken place. A proud tradition continues and
gains in quality and prestige each year. Well done everyone.
Chalfont St Peter Garden Club wishes to thank the local
business community and importantly you our members for your
support.
Grace Hunter. Show Secretary & Bryan Nicholson Asst Show Sec
------------------------------------------------------------------------
KEITHS COACH OUTINGS: -
Coach departs Church Hall/ Lane
5 September 2007 Lullingstone Castle Kent. 9am
departure
For late bookings please phone 01753 884012
Our Final Outing of 2007 is on 3 October to Chartwell
House.
Home of Winston Churchill, the BBC's 'Greatest Briton'
Unrivalled collection of Churchills paintings, photographs
and memorabilia
Beautiful rose and water gardens commissioned by the
Churchills
Countryside walks with stunning views over the Weald.
This is a National Trust venue please bring your N/T card.
Coach leaves 9.30am.
No of seats
.. Chartwell @ £13 for members/ £14 non
members.
Please add £9 entrance fee if not an N/T member
Name & Address
.
.
.
Post code
.Phone No
Total £
.
Cheques made payable to Chalfont St.Peter Garden Club.
Forward to
Mr K Gould 10 Leachcroft, Chalfont St Peter, Bucks SL9 9LG
Janes September Garden Tips
As autumn approaches its time to start clearing up the
garden by removing debris and exhausted annual and perennial
flowers, collecting any ripe seeds or scattering to
germinate in situ. To prevent pests and diseases over
wintering, but try to leave a small untidy corner for
hibernating hedgehogs and beneficial insects. Pot up
containers and borders with spring flowers and bulbs.
Deadhead roses cutting back to the uppermost leaf, trim
lavender being careful not to cut too heavily into old wood,
give dahlias an extra feed to promote strong growth and
enable the tuber to survive the winter. Finish taking
cutting from your favourite plants and over winter in a
frost-free place. Complete trimming back hedges. Net ponds
to prevent leaves falling in later.
Make last sowing of salad crops, winter spinach, spring
cabbage, plant out previously grown ones giving protection
from pigeon damage Dig up main crop potatoes before they
suffer slug damage or blight, any plants infected with
blight should cut off and burnt or placed in green bins,
leave potatoes to dry for a few hours then store on paper
sacks. Check all stored vegetables regularly for signs of
rot. Plant green manures on newly vacated soil (mustard or
rye grass) to stop weeds taking hold and to work as a soil
improver when dug in later, or cover with black polythene.
Cut and ripen squashes marrows and pumpkins for storage,
keep picking vegetables to encourage more.
Lawns will need less mowing now and autumn maintenance can
be started by removing thatch (dead grass and debris) with a
rake or powered scarifer, then aerate to relieve the
constant compaction over the summer, top dressing is applied
being sieved 3 parts soil, 2 parts sharp sand, 1part
compost. Lay turf or sow any new lawns now.
MEETING
The next Meeting on 19 September at 8pm in the Church Hall
Rev Charles Overton. All about Water Lillies
The Garden Hut open every Sunday 10.00am to 12 noon.
It is very important that you remember to bring your
membership card and show it when you make a purchase.
We are expecting the Autumn offers to be available towards
the end of the month. These should include LEVINGTONS
complete lawn fertiliser, lawn seed for making good any bare
patches in the lawn, which should be used in conjunction
with JOHN INNES seed compost. We have in stock plenty of
Bonemeal for working into the soil when planting shrubs etc.
Also a good selection of Garden gloves, plus all the general
items. Anything else you may require please ask and we will
try to help.
Many thanks for all your support.
Cliff Thayer Hut manager
Newsletter Distribution
The responsibility on the Garden Club Committee for the
distribution of the monthly Newsletter has passed to Steve
Poole. If you have any queries or questions about the
distribution of your copy of the Newsletter please contact
Steve by phone on 01494 871465 or by email, stevepoole@neillpoole.co.uk
If you would like to receive an electronic copy of the
Newsletter please contact us at info@gardenclub.org.uk
Visit the garden club website where all back issues of the
Newsletter can be found.
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. |
