Seasonal Reminders and Tips.

Responding to the vagaries of our unpredictable climate is an ever constant challenge for gardeners with the Winter months being particularly challenging. What may be possible in mid-February one year may not be sensible until late March the next so the timing of some of these recommendations will need adjusting depending on how severe or mild the Winter.

January

Composting: On even the coldest days some jobs can still be tackled such as turning the compost and applying it to the surface of flower beds and vegetable plots. The secret of making well rotted compost is to aerate it by turning it. Ideally a minimum of two compost bins are needed so that as one of them is applied to the garden the contents of the other one are transferred into empty one. That way it all gets mixed up and air introduced. When applied as a mulch to flower beds it suppresses weeds and helps to keep the soil warm in Winter. It can also be dug into the vegetable plot in readiness for hungry crops such as potatoes that will be planted in the Spring.

In the greenhouse: The Winter months are an ideal time to clear the greenhouse of plant debris from last year and to apply disinfectant in order to reduce the chance of pests and diseases becoming a problem. All surfaces including the glass (inside and out) should first be washed to remove dirt, then disinfected using Jeyes™ Fluid (available from most garden centres). The removal of dirt and algae from the glass is especially important so that as much light as possible can penetrate during the Winter months when light levels are low.

Shrubs: Resist the temptation to cut back shrubs such as buddleia and hydrangeas during the winter months. The dead flowers on buddleia contain seeds for the birds and these stems are best left until the spring when they can be then cut back to a main stem. Flowers will be produced on the new growth later in the Summer. In contrast, hydrangeas produce their flowers on growth made the previous year so only remove the weak or bent stems. Stems bearing old flowers should be cut back to a strong pair of buds.

February

Vegetable plot: Towards the end of the month plastic sheeting can be placed over the soil where it is planned to make early sowings of vegetable such as lettuce, carrots, beetroot and parsnips. This will help the soil to warm up and also divert excess rain from the seedbed.

Fruit trees: Complete pruning of apples and pears and plant new trees with a supporting stake.

March

Vegetables: Early potato varieties such as Arran Pilot, Epicure and Ulster Chieftan can be started off by placing the seed tubers in a tray in a cool, light, frost-free place in order to encourage the production of shoots (a process known as ‘chitting’). Once they have produced shoots about 1-2 cm they can be planted. For an early crop try growing them in large pots under glass or in a sheltered position where they can be protected from frost.

Sow early varieties of carrot, such as Amsterdam Forcing, in large pots/containers placed in a greenhouse or directly into the soil under glass. Sow the seeds thinly in rows or preferably broadcast when in containers. Later in the month sow directly outdoors along with parsnips, lettuce, broad beans and peas once the soil has warmed up.

The YDGS Autumn Flower and Produce Show 2011.

This was held at St Peters Church on Saturday 10 September though the preparatory work was undertaken on the previous afternoon when the Church and Hall were cleared of chairs and the tables on which to display the exhibits were collected from various sources. The main change from the 2010 Show was that we were faster in laying out the exhibits so that judging could start and finish one hour earlier. This resulted in more time and space to look at the exhibits and to chat longer over a cup of tea and a slice of cake as such social occasions are quite rare in our community. Once again the local churches collaborated to create a series of floral displays around the theme of “Jesus said” so creating a way of beautifying the Church in a way that our forefathers would have wished us to do.

The number of exhibitors was up and what was most striking is the numbers who are not members of our society; so we plan to write to them and invite them to join our society next year. The standard of the exhibits was high as our judges noted and they liked the layout which facilitated the flow of people. We were able to hold our costs to those in the previous year but our income was up so we made a smaller loss which is highly desirable.

The Show would not have happened without the help of many people but I would particularly like to thank my fellow sub committee members namely Shirley Kensett (and her husband Claude), Maggie Hart and Tony Buckle and Meryl Branson for arranging the flower festival.

We have booked the Church and Hall for the same Saturday next year that is September 8th and plan to publish the Show Schedule by Easter. Can I suggest that those who wish to enter next year’s photographic class take some photos of the Autumnal colours now because this would get my vote for next year’s photographic theme.

And now to the award winners:

Freya Ede	Best exhibit – Section 7 – 7 years and under
Freya Ede	Most points – Section 7 – Young Growers
Freya Ede	Most points in children’s classes

Aimie Cheetham	Best exhibit – Section 8 – 8 to 10 years
Stephanie Dobbin	Most points – Section 2 – Flowers
Stephanie Dobbin	Most points in show

Tony Buckle	Best exhibit – Section 1 – Vegetables and Fruit
Tony Buckle	Most points – Section 1 – Vegetables and Fruit
Cherie Cheetham	Most points – Section 6 – Handicrafts

Ann Clint

Best exhibit – Section 4 – Floral Art

Helen Ede	Best exhibit – Section 3 – Pot Plants
Helen Ede	Most Points – Section 3 – Pot Plants

Matthew Ede

Best exhibit – Class 42 – Flapjacks – Men Only

Sylvia Ede	Best exhibit – Section 5 – Domestic
Matthew Ede	Most points – Section 5 – Domestic

Margaret Hobbs

Best exhibit – Section 6 – Handicrafts

Sally Kent

Most points – Section 4 – Floral Art

Gillian Redman

Best exhibit – Section 2 – Flowers

Rayner Mayer, Show Secretary

The Westfield Infants School Courtyard Garden Renovation.

A few years ago, the courtyard garden at Westfields Infants School was neglected. It had slippery decking for its paths, which meant children could not use it for fear they would injure themselves. The planting also needed to be addressed as there were a number of invasive species, overly large specimen shrubs and toxic plants.

In September 2009, some volunteers, including YDGS members, kindly gave up their time to clear the garden, and allow the decking to be removed and replaced with paving.

The garden is now well on its way to being finished – full of sensory plants in relaxing colours of blue, purple and pink. The school has a herb garden outside the kitchen door, and climbers ready to cover the walls in coloured and scented blooms.

Most importantly, there are now nine raised beds. Every class will have their own patch of earth, to grow whatever they want – flowers, fruit, vegetables.

This academic year has seen gardening come into focus at Westfields. There is now an after school gardening club which is constantly oversubscribed by children wanting to join. The school is also taking part in the RHS Campaign for School Gardening.

The school is also taking its new-found gardening skills to a national level, and are in a competition to have a mini-garden entered into the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this May.

YDGS also donated £100 to the school to buy permanent pots for the courtyard garden.