Welcome!

The current Gardening Club Committee is as follows:

David Darts– Chairman. Tel: 01981 250117

Liz Goodyear– Treasurer. Tel: 01432 354670

Charlotte Marshall- Show and Competitions Secretary. Tel: 01981 251435

Michèle Byrne – Membership and Subscriptions. Tel: 01981 251650

Linda Harding – Shows and Administration.  Tel: 01432 277281

Isla McNeil– Gardening Information

Under the new General Data Protection Regulation, we are required to have a Privacy Notice, this is now available here.   

The Club was formed in 1983 by local residents Stan and Margaret Baldock.

Both Margaret and Stan were professional horticulturalists and this coupled with their enthusiasm, ensured the successful launch of the Club. In the early years the Membership consisted mainly of residents of Eaton Bishop but today we can boast a Membership of 70 drawn from all corners of Herefordshire.

We meet on the third Wednesday of the month in the Village Hall at Eaton Bishop and throughout the year arrange visits by Speakers to talk on various aspects of Gardening and Horticulture. We also arrange regular visits to local Gardens and Nurseries and for the past twenty years have organised a Club Holiday to visit gardens in other parts of the country, including two visits to Normandy in France.

Although we take our gardening seriously, meetings and visits are conducted in a light-hearted manner and we have built a reputation of being a warm and friendly club. Throughout the year we hold a series of Competitions, for Members to exhibit their various prize flowers and plants.

In February we hold a Photographic Competition.

On the third Sunday in August, we assist the Eaton Bishop Village Hall Committee in running the Village Show, with classes in Vegetables, Fruit, Flowers, Crafts and Cookery. We also have special classes for children.

Over our next year we will be looking to celebrate the 40^th Anniversary since the Gardening Club was formed in 1983 and including additional events to mark the occasion.

We are always looking to expand our Membership and to welcome new faces so why not pay us a visit and see what we have to offer.

EATON BISHOP VILLAGE SHOW
 SUNDAY 20th AUGUST
EATON BISHOP VILLAGE HALL

This month, we set out below points that need to be considered for those entering the “Cookery and Preserves Section” of the Show:

Baking.

Judges are looking for:

External appearance…..colour, shape and uniformity.

Internal appearance…..texture and even distribution of ingredients.

Flavour….. flavour and aroma. Must be good to eat.

• First impressions count, so arrange neatly on plate.
• Cover with cling film to keep clean and hygienic.
• Cakes should be well risen, of a good shape and a moist fluffy texture.
• No large air holes when cut open.
• Cakes should have a flat or slightly rounded top. Slight cracking on the top is acceptable.
• Wire rack lines should not be visible.

Always read the Schedule carefully, check weight, size or number.

Chose a suitable plate.

Give yourself time to set up

Jam Chutney and Pickle.

Judges are looking for:

External standard…..container, cover, label and appearance.

Internal standard…..colour, clarity, flavour, consistency, texture of fruit or vegetable.

• Should be in a 375 ml or 1lb clear glass jar filled to within 1cm of the top.
• There should be no air bubbles or Scum.
• Labels should show main fruit or vegetable, with the day, month and year of making.
• Labels should be straight between the seams of the jar.
• Chutney and pickle should be 2-3 months old, to allow flavour to mature.
• Preserves should be covered with a wax disc.

Marmalade.

• Any peel should be tender and evenly cut.
• Colour should be bright.
• Consistency should not be too runny or too firm.
• No air bubbles or scum.
• Slightly bitter flavour.

EATON BISHOP GARDENING CLUB

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 18th October 2023

at Eaton Bishop Village Hall

The meeting commenced at 7.30pm            with 44 Members present.

1. WELCOME

 David Darts, Club Chairman welcomed everyone to the 39th Annual General Meeting, making this the 41st Anniversary of the Club.

2. APOLOGIES

The Chairman noted that he had received apologies from, Val Dawkes, Wendy Knight, Val Taylor, Clive Longbottom, Vic and Dan Seymour, Maggie Matthews and Janice Goy.

3. MINUTES OF THE 2022 AGM 

   The Minutes of the 2022 Meeting were read out by Linda Harding and were put to the Meeting as a       true record of events and agreed before being signed by the Chairman. This was proposed by Charlotte Marshall and  seconded by Christina Bromage.

4. MATTERS ARISING

There were no Matters Arising.

5. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

David Darts presented his Annual Report to the Meeting,

A copy of Chairman’s Report is attached. This was proposed by Adrian Goodyear and seconded by Tony Walsh.

6. TREASURERS REPORT

Liz Goodyear presented her report of the Club Accounts for the financial year to 31st August 2023. Liz advised that money in the Bank at year end was £1032.84. Money in Petty Cash was £92.57.

Liz was pleased to announce that Subscriptions for Members would remain at £10 per person.

The balance in the Holiday No2 Account was £692.68

David Darts thanked Liz for her excellent work as Treasurer of the Club, which was obviously a very important role

ELECTION OF OFFICERS/COMMITTEE
The Chairman advised that no nominations had been received for a new Chairman. Accordingly, he agreed to remain in the post for a further 12 months.

In the absence of any other nominations, the Committee had agreed to continue and were elected “En Bloc”.

 The Chairman thanked all Members of the Committee for their valuable contribution to the running of the Club. This was proposed by George Walker and seconded by Adrian Goodyear.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS AND NOTICES
The programme for next year 2024, had almost been completed and was available on the Gardening Club link to the Village Hall Web Site.

The Christmas Social had been arranged for Friday 8th December, with a slight reduction in ticket price to £7.50.

The Gardening Club Holiday to visit gardens in the Northumberland area has been boked for 17th to 21st June and the Itinerary will be issued in the next week or so.

The Chairman thanked Michelle Tydeman for her work in organising the tea and coffee at Club Meetings over the past five or six years and she was now stepping down from her role.

The Club were therefore looking for someone to carry on this role for the future.

The tea rota for the coming year was passed around to Members for completion.

He also thanked Janice Goy and Carol Ealey for running our monthly raffle at Meetings which provided a useful source of income the Club.

Again, they were both looking to relinquish their duties so a replacement or replacements will be needed for this position.

The Chairman also thanked all Members, who had given additional assistance during the past year, to assist with the smooth running of the Club.

There being no further business the Meeting closed at 8.00 p-m, and was followed by the Wine and Cheese Social.

Michele Byrne 19th October 2023

21st February      Preparing for the Village Show

                            Speaker: David Griffiths and Others.

20th March          Five Centuries of Women and Gardens

                             Speaker: Richard Rollings, Mynd Hardy Plants.

17th April             For the love of Blue Poppies.

                            Speaker: Marion Stainton. 

15th May               Visit to Rosi Bee Nursery, Monmouth. 

5th June               Daisy Days – the rise, fall and renaissance of the     

                            Michaelmas Daisy.

                            Speaker: Helen Picton.

                            NOTE DATE 

17th to 21st June  Gardening Club Holiday – Visiting Gardens in the 

                            Northumberland area     

July                     Garden Visit – Details to be advised

18th August          Village Show

(Sunday)

18th September    AGM/Wine and Cheese Social.

16th October         The Late Summer Garden

                             Speaker: Laura Wilgoss

                             Wild Goose Nursery, Munslow. 

20th November      Gardeners Question Time                            

At our Meeting on Wednesday 21^st June, we were pleased to welcome Catherine Beale, a local historian, who has carried out a lot of research into stately homes and country mansions in the Herefordshire area. We first met Catherine, when following some research on country homes in the Presteign area, she soon realised that this was an important part of the Country, horticulturally, for the “Hybridising” of Narcissi. Hence, we arranged for Catherine to give a talk on this subject at one of our Club Meetings.

At the time, Catherine advised us that she had carried out a lot of research into Hampton Court Castle and their historic gardens and this was the subject matter of her recent talk.

In view of the historical nature of the talk we invited our colleagues from the Eaton Camp Historical Society to join us for the Meeting.

Catherine told us that Hampton Court Castle has been through an immense journey over the centuries. The oldest parts including the Chapel, date back to 1427, making the building almost 100 years older than Hampton Court Palace, in Surrey.

Difficult times and changing circumstances led to the Castle going through various transformations, which are reflected in how it looks today.

Catherine, in her talk gave an extensive account of the various families and their back ground who had occupied the Castle over the centuries, together with changes they made to the Castle, its grounds and surrounding areas.

The Castle is now fully restored and has retained a truly special atmosphere, which visitors can enjoy today.

Following her Talk, Catherine, who leads guided tours at Hampton Court Castle, suggested this could be arranged and is due to take place early in August.

Also, at our June Meeting we held our Mid – Summer Flower Show. This was well supported by Members and the results were as follows:

• Rose, one specimen bloom: 1^st Annie Dayson. 2^nd Charlotte Marshall. 3^rd Mandy Saunders.
• Roses, three stems of any one type:1^st Charlotte Marshall. 2^nd Mandy Saunders. 3^rd Chris Morris.
• Trees and/or shrubs in flower, one or more kinds: 1^stChris Morris. 2ndJanice Goy. 3^rd Charlotte Marshall
• Trees and/or shrubs, foliage, one or more kinds: 1stChris Morris. 2^nd Jean Wise. 3^rd Charlotte Marshall.
• Any flowers not listed above, three stems of one variety: 1^st Charlotte Marshall. 2^ndJanice Goy. 3^rd Jean Wise.
• Any flowers not listed above, five stems of more than one variety: 1^st Mandy Saunders. 2^nd Chris Morris. 3^rdCharlotte Marshall.
• A plate of soft fruit: 1^st Charlotte Marshall. 2^ndChris Morris.

Final Results:

1^st Charlotte Marshall 63 points. 2^nd Chris Morris 48 points 3^rd Mandy Saunders 27points

4^th Janice Goy 18points

The overall winner of the Gardening Club Mid – Summer Flower Show Trophy was Charlotte Marshall.

For our Meeting on the Wednesday 19^th July we are visiting Sue Maberley’s Garden at FForest Coal Pitt in the Black Mountains.  A report on this event will be given in the next edition of Tracking the News.

As stated above Gardening Club Members are visiting the Hampton Park Castle and Gardens on Tuesday 8^th August and again a report on this visit will be given in the next edition of Tracking the News.

Arrangements are now well underway for the Eaton Bishop Village Show, being held in the Village Hall on Sunday 20th August. This event is run by the Village Hall Committee, ably assisted by Gardening Club Members. The organisers are looking to maintain the success of our Show held in 2021 and hoping parents and grandparents can persuade more Children to enter the Children’s Classes at the Show. Their contribution in 2022 was rather disappointing.

Show Schedules have been printed and are available at Clehonger Village Stores; Madley Plants; Locke’s Garage; Madley Post office and Committee Members from Eaton Bishop Village Hall Committee and Eaton Bishop Gardening Club Committee.

Our Meeting in April was very well attended by Members and Guests to hear the Talk by Helen Picton on “The Cultivation of Clematis”.

At this Meeting, we were the first organisation using the Hall, to test the latest equipment, installed at Eaton Bishop Village Hall by the Village Hall Committee, consisting of the new Screen and Projector. This new equipment will certainly enhance our Meetings from now on and was very much appreciated by our Members. So, our thanks for this additional equipment must certainly go to the Village Hall Committee.

The occasion was certainly marked with an excellent talk, when Helen took us through the Gardening Year showing the varieties of Clematis, that could be grown in each Season. Many of us were certainly not aware that by combining varieties of Clematis you can have colour throughout the year. Helen gave us a selection of plants for each season, advising on the best growing conditions and the best planting combinations, with other trees and shrubs in the garden. 

Regular pruning of Clematis encourages strong growth and flowering and keeps the growth in check. If left unpruned, Clematis can turn into a mass of tangled stems with bare base and flowers well above eye level. Helen explained that although there are numerous Clematis species, hybrids and cultivars, for pruning purposes, they are split into three distinct pruning groups, based on the time of flowering and the age of the pruning wood.

• Pruning Group 1 comprising of early blooming clematis should be pruned in mid-to late spring after flowering and once the risk of frost has passed.
• Pruning Group 2 comprising of the large-flowered cultivars that flower in May to June and possibly again later in the year, prune in February and after the first flush of flowers in early summer.
• Pruning Group 3, this group comprises clematis that flower from mid-late summer are best pruned back hard in February each year to the lowest pair of buds.

Helen will be visiting us again in June 2024 to give a talk on Michaelmas Daisies. Her Picton Garden and Nursery at Colwall hold the “National Collection” of Michaelmas Daisies.

Also, in April, members of Gardening Club were invited to visit the local Madley Plants Nursery by owners Simon and Michele. They spoke to us about what they had managed to achieved, since they took over the Nursery some eight years ago and their plans for the future.

Their range of plants has been significantly increased since they have been at the Nursery and Michele made a point of stating, that where possible they get their supply of plants, trees and shrubs from local growers. Their range of summer bedding plants is now quite extensive and can cope with most of their customers’ needs. 

Michele then gave a demonstration on planting up containers, to give lasting summer colour.

We were then invited to view the Nursery and Shop and to make any purchases.

We rounded off the evening with tea/coffee and of course cake, and we made ourselves comfortable in the Nursery Coffee Shop, one of the Nursery polytunnels, which was rather cosy, on a rather chilly evening.

In May we did not hold a Meeting as during the third week of the month, it would have clashed with the Gardening Club Holiday. This year we visited gardens in the Cumbria Area and a report on this will feature in the next edition of Tracking the News.

For our Meeting in June, we are pleased to welcome back to Gardening Club, Catherine Beale, a well-known local historian, who is going to give a talk on the Herefordshire Hampton Court House and Gardens.

We are hoping to follow the talk, with a visit to Hampton Court, when Catherine will take us on a guided tour of the House, which we are hoping to arrange, for some time in July or August.

We are looking to invite the Eaton Bishop Historical Society to this meeting as we feel the subject matter will also be of interest to them.

A report on the Meeting and Visit will feature in a later edition of Tracking the News.  

Also, at the June Meeting we will hold our Mid-Summer Flower Show. Can Members please do their best to support this event with plenty of exhibits.

Schedule is as follows:

1. Rose, one specimen bloom.
2. Roses, three stems of any one type, in one vase.
3. Trees and/or shrubs in flower, one or more kinds, in one vase.
4. Trees and/or shrubs, foliage of one or more kinds, in one vase.
5. Any flowers not listed above, three stems of one variety, in one vase.
6. Any flowers not listed above, five stems of more than one kind, in one vase.
7. A plate of soft fruit.

For our Meeting on Wednesday 15^th March, we were pleased to welcome Julian Reeves, the Charity Manager for Herefordshire Growing Point, who gave a very interesting talk and presentation on the work carried out by this Charity.

Julian explained that they are a registered Charity, based at Headway House, Credenhill, Hereford and have been established for over 30 years.

Their aim is to give disabled and vulnerable people of all ages the chance to enjoy Gardening and get the benefits of Social and Horticultural Therapy.

He explained that Horticultural Therapy involves being outside amongst plants, trees and shrubs and carrying out various gardening activities in relation to them, which has been shown to improve mental and physical health, build confidence and make people happier.

Their Sessions usually last one or two hours and normally take place in the garden at Credenhill, where people are divided into groups that suit their abilities and interests.

Julian explained that they also offer outreach sessions to care homes, sheltered housing locations and lunch clubs throughout the county.

Julian also brought along several common gardening tools which had been adapted to assist people with physical disabilities.

This was a very enlightening talk and presentation to promote this valuable charity and Julian has offered us the chance to visit their Garden at Headway House, to view their work, which we are arranging to do later in the year.

Also, at the March Meeting we held our “Spring Bulb Competition”.

Due to the adverse weather in the days prior to our Meeting, the support for our Competition was not as good as in previous years, so many thanks to those that were able to provide exhibits for this event.

The results were as follows:

           Dwarf Narcissi – 5 or more stems of one kind in pot or vase: 1^st.Chris Morris. 2^nd Janice Goy.

           3^rd.Carol Ealy.

      Daffodils or Narcissi Long Trumpets – 5 or more stems of one kind in pot or cut in vase:

      1^st.Chris Morris.

      Daffodils or Narcissi Short Trumpets – 5 or more stems of one kind in pot or cut in vase:

     1^st Jenny Crisp. 2^nd Lynne Jones Rodgers.

     Polyanthus or Primula – 1 plant in pot and in flower: 1^stJean Wise. 2^nd Victoria Seymour.   

     Vase of mixed spring flowers: 1^st Janice Goy. 2^nd Chris Morris. 3^rd Jenny Crisp.

     Any other bulb or plant in pot or vase, in flower: 1^st Lynne Jones Rodgers. 2^nd Jean Wise.

      3^rd Jenny Crisp.

Once again, the overall winner of the Spring Bulb Competition was Chris Morris. Second Place was tied between Lynne Jones Rodgers, Janice Goy and Jenny Crisp.

Third Place went to Jean Wise.

Well done to all those who submitted entries for the Competition.

For our Meeting on Wednesday 19^th April, we are very much looking forward to a visit from Helen Picton, the Proprietor of the Picton Garden and Old Court Nursery, based at Colwall.

Helen is a very knowledgeable horticulturalist and an excellent speaker.

She will be giving a talk on “The Cultivation of Clematis”.

Also in April, members of gardening Club have been invited to the local Madley Plants Nursery, by Simon and Michelle.

They will talk to us about their future plans for the Nursery and the new plants they are now growing. Michele will also give a demonstration on planting containers for some beautiful summer colour.

A full report on these two events will be given in the next edition of Tracking the News.

Our Gardening Club Meeting for May, normally held on the third Wednesday of the month has been cancelled, as we will be away that week on our Gardening Club Holiday, to visit Gardens in the Cumbria area.

We are hoping to arrange a trip to view the “Bluebells” and other Spring Flowers in the Wye Valley and details of this will be given to Members in due course.

EATON BISHOP GARDENING CLUB

November Report.

Following on from our visit in July, to Nant y Bedd, the garden of Sue and Ian Mabberley at Forest Coal Pitt in the heart of the Black Mountains, Sue paid us a visit for our Meeting at Gardening Club in September, to give a talk on “Rewilding your Garden”.

This is very much the latest innovation in respect of gardening matters, but it would be difficult to find any one covering the subject as well as Sue Mabberley.

Over the years, like much of Europe, Britain’s landscapes have been drastically changed, denuded and degraded, rivers and streams rerouted and polluted, mainly to benefit a growing population, agriculture and the production of food.

As gardeners there is very much an opportunity to engage in rewilding by creating a wildlife friendly garden, stop using fertilizers and pesticides, choosing the right plants, selecting the best seed and choosing insect friendly plants.

Sue works very much with and not against nature, giving much thought to what grows best in her own environment.

The garden at Nant y Bedd is 1200feet up, in a valley in the Black Mountains, with short growing seasons, high rainfall, slightly acidic, free draining soil, surrounded by the shade of huge conifers – quite a challenge.

Sue very much encourages self-seeding plants and pollinators, attracting bees and insects and plants that require very little maintenance. Also, she has introduced “woodpiles”, set up wildlife corridors, introduced a swimming pond and very much creates her own compost.

Nant y Bedd is certainly a garden to visit to get some useful ideas on “Rewilding” and was recently featured on Television on More4’s series about National Parks with presenter Caroline Quentin, when she visited the Brecon Beacons National Park, in Wales.

Also, in September Members of Gardening Club were invited to attend the Herefordshire Growing Point Autumn Show at their headquarters at Headway House at Credenhill, Hereford.

Earlier in the year Julian Reeves, their Charity Manager visited Gardening Club to explain the work carried out by Herefordshire Growing Point.

This is where disabled and vulnerable people of all ages are introduced to gardening and get the benefits of Social and Horticultural Therapy.

Being outside amongst plants and carrying out gardening activities with others has been shown to improve mental and physical health, build confidence and make people happier.

Their sessions usually start in March, with activities to get the garden going, with seed sowing and bulb planting, getting beds ready and making things for the garden. There’s often repairs, maintenance and woodwork to do as well.

As the year progresses, the gardeners look after their vegetables and flowers and plan their Exhibits for the Autumn Show, which this year was held on the 28^th September

A small group of us from Gardening Club attended the Show, in the afternoon, when the Gardens and Exhibits had been judged, this year by the High Sheriff of Herefordshire, who was also on hand to present the prizes.

Hereford Ukulele Group also provided entertainment during the afternoon, with tea/coffee and delightful homemade cakes being served.

It was most worthwhile to see what the tutors and volunteers had been able to achieve working with these most vulnerable people of all ages, with the Exhibits on display being of a very high standard.

In October we will be holding our Annual General Meeting followed by a Wine and Cheese Social.

A full Report on the Evenings activities will be given in the next edition of Tracking the News along with our Programme of Events for the coming year.

For our Gardening Club Meeting on Wednesday 22nd November, we are looking to welcome Rowan Griffiths, one of the dedicated team of gardeners based at the Hergest Croft Gardens at Kington, who will be talking on Hergest Croft’s collection of Rhododendrons and Azaleas.

Hergest Croft are quite rightly, very proud of their Rhododendron and Azalea collection and Rowan will also be giving hints and advice on their cultivation and maintenance.

The Meeting will commence at 7.30pm, visitors and guests are most welcome to attend.

Eaton Bishop Gardening Club.

Report for October 2023

VILLAGE SHOW

The Village Show, organised by the Village Hall Committee and ably assisted by Gardening Club Members, was held on Sunday 20th August in the Village Hall at Eaton Bishop.

Once again, we were very pleased with the participation from Exhibitors for the Show and this year we had in excess of 300 Exhibits plus an increased number of Exhibits in the Children’s Classes, with all Classes, in all Sections of the Show, being well supported.

We were pleased once again, to have the support from our colleagues at Allensmore Allotments, whose knowledge and expertise in growing vegetables is first class.

We were well supported in the Craft and Domestic Classes at the Show and again the standard of Exhibits was high.

This year we were rather pleased with the support in the Children's Classes, as this has been rather sparse over the past few years. Speaking with the Children taking part and their parents, once they do actually get involved, they find it quite enjoyable

There was a good response from people to view the Exhibits and there was certainly a good atmosphere and “buzz” in the Village Hall during the afternoon.

Tim Coleman, the Chairman of the Village Hall Committee, thanked all the willing group of helpers for staging another successful event. He also thanked those who supported the Show as Judges, Stewards, Exhibitors and Visitors and also our generous Sponsors for again making the day successful.

This was followed by the Prize Giving, which was handled by Charlotte Marshall, the Show events Secretary for Eaton Bishop Gardening Club

Following the Prize Giving, surplus produce and flowers were sold off, with proceeds going to Village Hall Funds

Our sponsors supported us very well again this year and we had some fabulous prizes in our Show Raffle.

Once again, we are pleased that we had another successful Show, enjoyed by Exhibitors and Visitors alike.

We feel that “Village Shows” are part of our “Heritage” and Eaton Bishop are making every effort to ensure they continue.

VILLAGE SHOW 2023

Cup and Trophy Winners

            Stan and Margaret Memorial Cup for “Overall Show Winner”,

            with highest total points– Steve Wall 94points:

                                                         Runners Up – Billy Warren 65points:

                                                                                Charlotte Marshall 30points.                                                  

            Vegetable Classes –First Steve Wall – 84points: 2nd Billy Warren – 52points:

                                             3rd Colin Morgan – 9 points.

            Flower Classes– First Tim Coleman -13points: 2^nd Chris Morris 12points:

                                          Joint 3^rd Steve Wall and Billy Warren 10points.

            Handicraft Classes – First Jenny Crisp – 16points: 2^nd Evelyn Corcoron 10points:

                                                3^rd Chris Morris 9points.

            Flower Craft Classes –First Meryl Cain – 12points: 2^nd Janice Goy 6points:

                                                    Joint 3^rd Billy Warren, Chris Morris, Annette Morris 

                                                     all with 3points.  

            Photographic Classes – First Clive Longbottom – 7points: 2^nd Mike Sumner 6points:

                                                     3^rd Janice Goy 5points. 

            Domestic Classes – First Charlotte Marshall - 25points: 2^nd Christine Slade – 15 points

                                              3^rd Janice Goy 10points.             

Top Vase Competition – First Chris Morris: 2^nd Billy Warren.

Top Tray Competition – First Billy Warren: 2^nd Steve Wall: 3^rd Colin Morgan.

Award for “Best in Show” –Jenny Crisp for a “Domino” knitted waist-coat,

                                                 exhibited in the Craft Section of the Show.

Children Under 7 years – First Oliva Barnet 6points:2^nd Joel Virgo 4points:

                                             3^rd Rex Gardiner 3points.

Children 8years to 12 years – Joint First Sophie Chester and Fin Virgo – 8points:

                                                   2^nd Sophie Storey 7points.

Children 13 years to 16 years – No Entries.

SHOW SPONSORS:

THE COMET INN: CLEHONGER VILLAGE STORES: LOCKS GARAGE:  ALLENSMORE NURSERIES: MADLEY PLANTS: TESCO BELMONT.

Many thanks for your generous support.         

VILLAGE SHOW 2024

Following on from our Show this year we have arranged a special evening in February next year, for the benefit of people who are new to Exhibiting at the Village Show and those still contemplating taking part.

One of the official Royal Horticultural Show judges for Vegetables, Fruit and Flowers will be present, to give advice on how best to prepare and present your Exhibits for the Show.

Also present will be members of a local “Craft Group” to give advice on presenting Craft Items for the Show. We will also have a local qualified Domestic Science instructor to talk about exhibiting Cookery Items, Jams, Preserves and Chutney.

This event will be well advertised locally and, on the Internet, will be Free to Enter with Refreshments provided.

The Village Hall Committee and Eaton Bishop Gardening Club are hoping that by holding this event, we will encourage even more people locally, to take part in the Annual Village Show.

In October we will be holding our Annual General Meeting followed by a Wine and Cheese Social.

This will be on Wednesday 18^th October at Eaton Bishop Village Hall, starting at 7.30pm.

This month “Gardening Suggestions for February” have been prepared by one of our Committee Members, Isla McNeil.

Cutting back some of your perennial plants from last year, that would naturally go mushy in the cold weather, so not to attract slugs and snails. E.g.  Hosta’s and Peonies.

Cutting back the dead and diseased leaves on Hellebores to encourage new leaves, expose the wonderful flowers and prevent black spot spores affecting new growth.

Starting flowers and vegetables from seeds in the greenhouse ready for when the ground warms up in Spring and early Summer. Ideal rainy-day job.

Splitting Spring flowering plants like Primroses and Snowdrops, while they are in the green, to get some more free plants.

Cut back Wisteria side shoots to three buds from the base to encourage flowers in spring.

If you can’t wait until Spring for a colour hit, plant up a colourful Spring pot. Some plants you can use amongst a few are, Primulas, Hellebores, small Evergreen Grasses, variegated Ivy, Skimmia, Japonica and Winter Cyclamen.

Also use pots of already started bulbs, Narcissi, Iris Reticulata etc. and you will find a good selection at your local garden centre or nursery.

Remember, Spring is just around the corner with colour and brighter things to come.

• Cutting back foliage of Hellebores will ensure that emerging flowers are not obscured by old leaves and will help to control Hellebore leaf spot disease. Flowers of Hellebores provide forage to some early pollinators, including bees.
• Start tender Fuchsias into growth, by plunging the pots in water for a few minutes and pruning them back quite hard, cutting out spindly lifeless shoots completely and shortening all other shoots and side shoots to about 2.5-5cm long.
• Hardy shrubs that flower on new wood in summer can be pruned this month.
• This is an ideal time for repairing damage to lawns by reseeding or with turf.
• Lift, divide and replant flowering Snowdrops, as their foliage starts to yellow.
• Continue to prune Roses, although Rambler Roses are normally cut back after flowering. Prune back all growth from the previous season by 30-50 percent, aiming to create a rounded open shape bush.
• Feed with well-rotted horse manure or blood fish and bone fertiliser.
• As soon as winter flowering heathers are past their best, clip them lightly to ensure they remain compact and sturdy.

Kitchen Garden

• Early carrots and parsnips can be sown towards the end of this month, unless the ground remains water logged.
• Plant out seedling onions, also plant out onion sets.
• Sprout or “chit” seed potatoes indoors before planting. This leads to earlier and higher yields.
• Planting of fruit trees and bushes should be completed before the end of this month.
• Sow brussels sprouts and plant out hardened cauliflowers.

Under Glass.

• This is an excellent time to take cuttings of many greenhouse and tender bedding plants.
• Start sowing hardy and half-hardy annuals.
• Pot corms of tuberous begonias.
• Pot up Lily Bulbs for glorious summer colour, keeping an eye out for the red coloured Lily Beetle as the shoots emerge, which can soon devastate your plants if not destroyed quickly.
• French and Runner beans can be sown in pots.

Gardening for Wildlife.

• This month is the start of the main breeding season for garden birds. Putting out nesting material, such as hair and wool, will help to encourage birds to nest in your garden.
• Put up nesting boxes for birds
• Continue providing food for birds. They greatly benefit from additional provisions, when the conditions are freezing. At this time avoid whole nuts and large chunky pieces of bird food that can choke fledglings.
• This is the best time to add new plants to your pond, so they have the whole growing season to establish, as the temperature rises

There will be many jobs that will need to be done in the garden in the weeks ahead, as we come into Spring, but this is just a few that you might like to consider.

Congratulations to all the prize winners.