Chalfont St Peter Garden Club Newsletter - January 2008
Chairman : Charles Flawn
Secretary : Linda Hills-Harrop
Garden Hut Manager : Cliff Thayer
Treasurer : Robert Bastin A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR to all
our members
It is important for our mental health and the health of our
relationships and community that we spend more time enjoying
our natural surroundings and spending time with people that
are close to us. In January we have enforced idle time
while we reflect on the gardening year that has passed and
plan for the coming year. Socially we can attend the monthly
meetings and enjoy the fellowship of other gardeners from
our local community. So in 2008 why not make more of your
Gardening Club and the social network it provides. Come to
the HUT for advice or experiment by growing a new plant or
different type of vegetable, you will never know unless you
try! BUT most of all enjoy 2008. Dates for your Diary
13 January Sunday Hut opens 16 January
Wednesday 8pm in the Chalfont St Peter Church Hall
“The Rothschilds in Buckinghamshire,” Guest speaker Mrs
Norma Desmond.
20 January Sunday Hut opens 16 April
Wednesday Spring Show
Following the success of last year there are now four
classes in the photographic section: "Chalfont St Peter in
Winter,” A Garden, Spring Flowers and A landscape. I am
alerting you now so that you
have plenty of opportunity to take photos during the coming
months.
Grace Hunter, Show Secretary. 8-11 May Malvern
Spring Show 20-24 May Chelsea Flower Show 8-13
July Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 16 August
Saturday Garden Club Annual Show 23-27 July Tatton
Park Flower Show 27-28 September Malvern Autumn
Show Jane’s January Garden Tips
Winter pruning is an ongoing operation, which can be carried
out whenever weather permits; it’s a particularly good time
to tidy up early flowering shrubs, flowering currants,
viburnums and dogwoods, cut out weak stems and misshapen or
growing in the wrong direction, to leave an open framework
of strong young branches, use some of the stems for indoor
arrangements.
Cut back foliage on hellebores to reveal flowers.
Dig over any vacant area incorporating as much compost or
well rotted manure as possible; to retain moisture later on
in the year, cover soil with black polythene or fleece to
allow warming and drying of soil.
In milder weather lawns will grow slowly cut occasionally on
a dry day using a high setting, repair and reshape any lawn
edges.
On sunny days ventilate the greenhouse also wash the roof
and windows to let more light in, clear gutters and wash out
water butts to allow them to fill before the spring. Wash
out any pots and trays not already done.
Sow a few early crops in modules in the greenhouse or on a
window sill, lettuce, (Little Gem or Tom Thumb for fast
growing in small gardens) radish, carrots, peas, provide
some warmth for germination; these will be ready to plant
out in February with no disturbance to the root ball. Buy
early potatoes as they need to be chitted before planting in
March. Sow onions seeds in modules and germinate in a
propagator also sow sweet peas under cover.
Dig a bean trench and start to fill with kitchen waste and
shredded paper.
Blackcurrants are the true Super Fruit: The old fashioned
blackcurrant has experienced an image makeover. Recent
research shows that it is bursting with more health
promoting antioxidants than many vegetables and fruits,
including blueberries. They are also easy to grow; the
series of ‘Ben’ varieties are popular for a compact bush
that fruits in July.
Bird Food: Further to lasts month’s reminder to feed the
birds I use an efficient company to order bird food from
which may be of interest?
www.vinehousefarm.co.uk Email
birdseed@vinehousefarm.co.uk
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL EVENING 12 December, 2007
On a cold and frosty Wednesday evening in the brightly lit
Chalfont St Peter Church Hall over 85 members and guests
joined together to enjoy an evening with friends and have
the chance to meet other members of the Garden Club. Fish
and chips, delicious mince pies, fellowship and first class
entertainment all added up to a memorable evening, which was
enjoyed by one and all.
KEITH’S COACH OUTINGS 2008
1. APRIL – Wed. 23rd - Benley’s, East Sussex – House &
Gardens/
motor museum/park/wildfowl/craftworkers/shop etc.
2. MAY – Wed. 21s – Penshurst Place – House & Gardens/toy
museum/ 13 acre walled garden.
3. JUNE – Wed. 25th – Mottisfont Abbey (N/T), Romsey – Rex
Whistler décor/old rose garden/river walk.
4. JULY – Wed. 23rd – Nyman’s Garden (N/T), Hayward’s Heath
– garden/lakes/arboretum etc.
5. SEPT – Wed. 3rd – Losely House/Park, Guildford –
lake/walled garden/gift shop, etc.
6. OCT – Wed. 1st – Dyrham Park (N/T), Nr Bath – William &
Mary country house/life below stairs
exhibition/lakes/gardens etc.
Thank you for your solid support during 2007. Please let me
know if you have any thoughts about these or other venues.
Looking forward to another successful year in 2008 Keith
Gould. The Hut
2008 Opening Dates the HUT will open on Sunday the 13th
January 2008 and also on Sunday 20th January from 10am to 12
noon. During February and March we will be offering a 10%
discount on all purchases of £20 and over. Open every Sunday
from February 3.
As from January 2008 Geoff Mitchell will be arranging the
help required at THE HUT on Sunday mornings. If any Member
is prepared to help and is not yet on the Rota please give
Geoff a call on 01753 885984 who will be pleased to hear
from you. Thank you for your support during 2007 and good
gardening in 2008.
Cliff Thayer - Hut Manager
Click
here for a PDF download of the 2008 membership form. |
