Chalfont St Peter Garden Club Newsletter - November 2008
Chairman : Grace Hunter
Secretary : Susan Mills
Garden Hut Manager : Tony Gelder
Assistant Hut Manager : Keith Gould
Treasurer : Robert Bastin
Report of October meeting - Jim Buttress
A large audience was enthralled by our speaker, Mr Jim
Buttress, who was until recently and for 25 years,
Superintendant of Gardening at the Royal Parks. He is also a
RHS and a Britain in Bloom Judge. Whilst at one time, the
job had included a large number of gardens including the
Royal Palaces, in recent years the responsibility was for
the four central London parks, St James, Hyde Park,
Kensington Gardens and Richmond Park. Originally the task
had employed direct labour throughout, but now used the
Superintendant and his staff to do the planning and
oversight, whilst gardening staff are out-sourced.
Thirty-six apprenticeships had shrunk to two. The plants
used are grown in house with 11 acres of nurseries in Hyde
Park. There are three natural springs that water the Parks,
using high-tech irrigation systems. Climate change had
actually helped by extending the range of plants grown. The
Royal Parks include a wild flower meadow, several avenues of
trees, and house many events including Proms in the Park,
military parades and band concerts. The events pay to keep
the parks going.
Our members were encouraged to phone for free leaflets:
Events handout: 0207-2982000 Walks in the Parks:
0207-9301793
2008 walks now fully booked but try for 2009.
www.royalparks.org.uk
Speaker for November
On Wednesday, November 19th Mr Ken Panchen will be
talking about Garden Birds. We will, as usual, be meeting
at the Chalfont St Peter Church Hall at 8 p.m. and
refreshments will be available. A charge of £1 is payable by
visitors (who are all welcome).
Christmas Social - Wednesday, 17th December
Fish n Chip Supper with a Mince Pie. The entertainment will
be A Programme of Christmas & Epiphany Music and Customs
presented by John and Jo Brewster.
The charge this year for our annual Christmas Festivity is
£8.00 per person.
Entry by ticket only, from Linda Hills-Harrop on 01753
883800, 29 Criss Grove, Chalfont St Peter or at the hut
The Garden Hut needs your support, please try to get
down to the Hut and see the well know names of products
available; many at prices lower than the local garden
centres and DIY outlets.
The Hut will be open in November on Sunday 2nd, 9th, 16th
and 23rd (not 30th) opening times 10:00am to Noon please
remember to show your Garden Club membership card before
making any purchases.
From 9th November and the following 2 Sundays we shall be
reducing the price on some of the stock to make room for new
items ready for 2009.
The Hut will be closed for the whole of December and will
re-open on Sunday 18th January 2009
All products must be paid for first and a ticket produced
before goods can be loaded into cars.
Discounted Seeds
The Club now has both Dobies (25%) and Thompson and
Morgan (50%) catalogues available from the Hut, meetings or
Linda Hills-Harrop at 29 Criss Grove, Chalfont St Peter, SL9
9HQ (01753 883800). Most special offers are available to
members. Send in your request on plain paper together with a
cheque made payable to Chalfont St Peter Garden Club to
Linda (as above). No postage for seeds collect from Hut in
January.
Janes November Garden Tips
This month its time to clear up and dispose of garden
debris. Chop down remains of flowers and crops, cut up as
necessary and put into compost bins. Its great to be able
to look at the garden at the end of a session and see how
much tidier it looks. Once Summer bedding has been removed
from pots, spread compost on borders or you can leave it in
pots mixing it with some fresh compost next year.
Cut back invasive climbers such as Virginia creeper or
ivy, shoots can grow under roof tiles or in gutters and down
pipes, also cut away from windows, doors and boiler vents.
Wisteria should be cut back in winter to 2-3 buds that will
bear next years flowers, tie in leading shoots to continue
training.
Continue removing fallen leaves from ponds, borders and
grass. Finish planting out Winter bedding in borders and
containers. Wallflowers are available now and look good
planted with tall tulips among them, which should also be
planted now. Also put some tulips in containers, covered by
3 times their height of compost. For an early display of
sweet peas sow now under cover.
As crops are cleared away dig over removing any weeds,
mulch with compost and if possible plant a green manure to
suppress weeds. Continue to check stored crops. Begin to
harvest Brussel sprouts starting at the bottom of the plant
and moving upwards, stake tall plants, which may be blown
over. Finish planting garlic, starting off in modules if too
cold or wet. For an early crop of carrots next year; sow now
under cloche or cold frame, try Primo for early variety, or
Amsterdam Forcing 2 and Early Nantes as a baby salad crop,
protect under fleece.
Chalfont St. Peter Garden Club Membership Application
2009
Mem. Sec. Chalfont St. Peter Garden Club, 14 Foxdell Way,
Chalfont St. Peter, SL9 0PN. 01494 871308
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