Chalfont St Peter Garden Club Newsletter - July 2008

Chairman : Grace Hunter
Secretary : Susan Mills
Garden Hut Manager : Tony Gelder
Assistant Hut Manager : Keith Gould
Treasurer : Robert Bastin

THE GARDEN HUT

The Garden Hut will have stocks of various types of liquid and compound fertilizers to help those newly bedded plants; this time of year is always good to use mushroom and horse manure for mulching of beds and borders to retain moisture in the ground (note – mushroom compost is NOT suitable for ericaceous plants such as Rhododendrons; Azaleas; Camellias; Heathers, etc. Also in stock are some garden tools, gloves, garden canes and many types of ‘bug killers’ for vegetables, fruit trees and flowers. Also some ‘Bikini Vases’ for displaying flowers at local flower shows including your own Gardening Club Summer Show! New in stock : Miracle-Gro Soluble Plant Food 1kg size – low price.

STOP PRESS:

for Organic Gardeners: during some July Sundays – Keith Gould will have information about Wormaries – Alternative Home Composting Systems. The Garden Hut will be open on Sunday from 10.00 am to 12 noon. Very important, you must show your Membership Card.

JULY SPEAKER

Mr Mike Watts - Wednesday, 16th July 2008. ‘Plant Medicines from your Doctor’

- 8 p.m. Chalfont St Peter Church Hall. Refreshments available. Please bring your Membership Card. Entry for non-members is £1.00.

KEITH’S COACH OUTINGS

Our Outing to ‘Nymans’ is filling fast and I fully expect it to be full by now. However, by all means ring me (01753 884012) you might be lucky! The next Outing is SEPTEMBER 3rd to ‘Capel Manor Gardens’, Enfield, Middlesex. This specialist horticultural college has 30 acres covering a complete range of garden interest and is all on the flat so wheelchairs are OK (Carers free entry). 

A maze, woodland walk, animals and stable-yard, walled garden with specially designed themed gardens (some by previous students) and a large restaurant and plant shop all await you. Our Coach will leave the Church Hall at 9.30 a.m. Cost of this trip for Members is £16.50 and £17.50 all others.

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Please make cheques out to ‘Chalfont .St. Peter Garden Club’ and post to MR.K.GOULD, 10 LEACHCROFT,CH.ST.PETER,BUCKS. SL9 9LG or take to the hut any Sunday morning. All postal bookings will be acknowledged by phone. ……………………………………………………………………………….. Please book me ( ) seats for ‘Capel Manor’ @ £16.50ea and ( ) @ £17.50each. Making a Total of £ …………….

Name…………………………………………………………………………... Address……………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………… Phone.No……………………………………Keith Gould - 01753 884012

P.S. AS WE HAVE A STRONG DEMAND FOR CLUB OUTINGS I CANNOT RESERVE SEATS. A BOOKING MUST BE RECEIVED, COMPLETE WITH CHEQUE, AND IS SUBJECT TO MY CONFIRMATION. – MANY THANKS, KEITH.

John Tyler – will take you on a leisurely informal two-hour stroll exploring a selection of nature reserves to look at birds, insects, plants, fungi etc. Limited to 12 people morning walks start at 10.30, afternoon 2.00. July Walks are: Friday, 4th – Dry Sandford Pits (near Oxford): Tuesday, 8th – Dancersend (near Tring) and Wednesday, 16th – Warburg (between Reading and High Wycombe).

Glow-worm Walks – an opportunity to see and learn more about these fascinating creatures: a magical experience. Meet at 9.45 pm for a brief introduction, what they are, how and why they glow and how they live, before going off in search of them (finishing about 11 pm). Dates are Saturday, 5th July – Bernwood (between Oxford and Aylesbury); Wednesday 9th July – Brush Hill and Saturday, 19th July – Brush Hill (near Princes Risborough). Adults £5.00 Children £2.50. Places are limited so contact for info: tel. 07814 392335 or e-mailjohnclarketyler@gmail.com.

An Hour to Spare ?

Visit The Parish Council Offices in Mill Meadow to view the Historic Map of the Parish of Chalfont St Peter prior to 1895. The intriguing images on the map reveal the story of Chalfont St Peter and the way it has evolved over many centuries. A facsimile of the Domesday Book, open at the Chalfont St Peter entry (Celfunde), will also be on permanent display together with themed exhibits. Open on the last Wednesday of each month from 10am to 12 noon or by appointment : Pam Bacon - 01494 873550: Linda Smith - 01494 874065: Sandy Warren - 01753 885529: Tony Shinner - 01753 880100 Garden furniture for sale: .Rustic seat £8.Table & 4 chairs with cushions £45. Umbrella £20 Two concrete seats £5 each. Tool Shed £30. For details telephone Pauline (member) 01494 871990 Garden Shed : Regency Supreme 10’ x 8’ tongue & groove cladding. 1 years old in excellent condition. Cost new in excesssof £1,000. Buyer collects - £450. Jennie Gethin 01494 874495

Jane’s July Garden

Tips Rainwater is free so it makes sense to save as much as possible by diverting down pipes from house and greenhouse into water butts. During dry periods watch for plants wilting, this may be due to dry compost, disease or water-logging Apples and other crops may drop fruit prematurely if the soil gets too dry. Plants have difficulty taking up nutrients if soil is too dry, so look for signs of deficiency. Many crops are made up largely of water in leaves, fruits or tubers so increase watering in dry periods to maximise yields especially soft fruit and potatoes which will bolt and start to flower. . Deadhead bedding plants and repeat flowering perennials to ensure continuous flowering, cutting back plants in baskets and containers followed by feeding can encourage new growth and revive tired displays. Early flowering shrubs such as Weigelia, Philadelphus, Spiraea and Kerria should be pruned once they have flowered. Prune out a third of the oldest shoots, cutting them close to their base, this will stimulate strong new growth. Move house plants outside this month. Clear pond of algae and blanket weed and keep them topped up. Keep picking soft fruit as it ripens, freeze any surplus or give it away rather than leaving it to rot on the bushes. If you have netted soft fruit check for trapped birds. Keep gooseberries cropping over a long period by picking every other fruit along the stem, so allowing the others to develop. Pick vegetables while they are young, tender and taste better. There is still time to sow seeds of peas, French beans, beetroot and salads for an autumn crop. Climbing beans need to be stopped at tops of poles to maximise cropping on existing side shoots. Hoe to remove weed before they become a problem, and take the moisture from your plants, hoeing keeps the soil surface moving so preventing weed seedling developing; hoe in the mornings on hot days so seedlings soon wither and die. Fit bug boxes to attract and provide shelter for all kind of beneficial and fascinating insects. 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