Chalfont St Peter Garden Club Newsletter - December 2009
Chairman: Grace Hunter 01753 884006
Secretary: Susan Mills 01753 885496
Treasurer: Robert Bastin 01753 891398
Garden Hut Manager: Tony Gelder 01494 873316
hut.manager@gardenclub.org.uk
Membership Secretary: Richard Fenton 01494 871308
Editor: Diana Longshaw 01753884448
Newsletter Email
info@gardenclub.org.uk
The Committee Wish You All A Very
Merry Christmas
November Speaker Report
Dr Peter Brandham took us on a whistle stop tour of plants
of the Islands of the Med.. and proved to be an absolutely
brilliant speaker who shared his expertise with the audience
via beautiful slides and knowledge gained from having worked
at Kew for over 40 years. An excellent photographer, Dr
Brandham also gave us hints on how to improve our skills in
that direction as well making the evening doubly
worth-while.
Christmas Social Wednesday 16th December 2009
8 p.m. Church Hall, Chalfont St Peter
This year we will be entertained by Mr Peter Hearn Author,
Teacher, Poet Musician, Folklorist and Storyteller
Peter will entertain us with Stories, Songs and Poetry
around the theme of Christmas
Buffet Supper - £7.50 per Member or £8.50 for Visitors.
For Tickets apply to Linda on 01753 883800
Keith's Coach Outings 2010
I have had many positive comments on next years venue list,
now all booked and many thanks for that. I thought I would
repeat some general bits of information for you all. The
cost of the coach seat only will be £15.00 each for a Member
and £17.00 each for all others - this will include
coffee/tea /biscuits on arrival where possible and drivers
tip. All pick-ups will be at the Church Hall, Church Lane at
9.30 am and we vacate the venues at 4.00 pm. The coach will
seat 49 and should mean we have driver 'Ray' whom many of
you know already. Finally, as the outings have proved so
popular, it will pay to book early, i.e. within a fortnight
or so of the item being in the newsletter. Many thanks -
Keith
THE GARDEN HUT
The Garden Hut will be closed for every Sunday in December.
PLEASE NOTE a change of opening time for the 2 weeks in
January 2010 - Sunday 24th and 31st 10:30 (not 10:00 as
mention in the November newsletter) Seed collections are
likely to be during these 2 Sundays The Garden Club
Committee would like to thank all those members who
volunteer 2 hours on Sunday mornings helping to make the hut
run smoothly. I want to wish these people and all the
members who have purchased items from the hut a very Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing
you all in 2010
Seeds are available from the Dobies Catalogue at 33%
Discount or 10% on other items. Orders must be sent to Linda
by 17th December together with cheque. Mrs Linda Hills-Harrop,
29 Criss Grove, Chalfont St Peter, SL9 9HQ 01753 883800.
Collect from the Hut in January - dates to be published in
January Newsletter.
Janes December Garden Tips
Choose a dry day to start clearing beds and boosting the
soil for great results next year. Cut back hardy perennials
close to the ground, trimmings can be put on the compost,
woody stalks can be shredded or cut smaller and added to the
compost. Once the beds are clear, fork over between plants
mixing in some bought or home-made compost as you go to
relieve surface compaction and improve drainage. Cover the
crowns of tender perennials with bark or similar to protect
from winter frosts. Give wisteria a winter prune cutting
back to 2-3 buds from the old wood on leaders that are not
wanted. Shorten stems on standard roses to prevent blowing
in the wind and damaging roots.
Have a look at all of the deciduous trees and shrubs in your
garden to see if any need attention to improve the health or
shape of the plant. With no leaves at this time of year its
easier to see what you are doing. First remove any dead or
diseased wood and crossing branches, cutting back where
possible to a joint. If the plant is taking up too much room
trim it back but remember the new resulting growth will be
stronger. Try to open up the centre of plants to allow air
to circulate. Take time when pruning and stand back to
consider the effect of removing a branch. Feed after pruning
with organic fertilizer and mulch. Most plants tend to
produce a mass of shoots where they are pruned, keep an eye
on this re-growth in spring and summer and remove shoots
while they are still young.
Now is a good time to plant a new hedge or shrubs, put
plenty of compost into the soil and protect new plants until
they are well established, water as necessary. Cut back
autumn raspberries to ground level, sow broad beans under
cloches or fleece for protection. As the green shoots of
garlic appear pop half a plastic bottle over the top to
protect them from the winter, in spring they will get off to
a much better start. Make sure the birds have plenty to eat
and drink. Enjoy the winter break by ordering seeds, plug
plants and potatoes, and looking forward to the new growing
season.
Chalfont St. Peter Garden Club Membership Application Form
2010
To: The Membership Secretary, Chalfont St. Peter Garden
Club, 14 Foxdell Way, Chalfont St. Peter, SL9 0PN.
Telephone: 01494 871308 or hand in at the Hut or monthly
meeting.
*Membership £ 7.00 per year. *Subscriptions run until 31st
December each year.
Please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS .
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NEWSLETTER
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
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