This Year’s Events

Sadly, the 2021 AGM and quiz scheduled for the 26th February cannot go ahead ‘in the flesh’, but we are holding a ‘Zoom’ videoconference AGM on 26th Feb 7.30pm. If you are interested in joining in, please let Liz Kirton know and you will be sent the joining online address. If you wish to submit a resolution, let us know and it can be added to the agenda. If you do not wish to zoom, but have a contribution to make, the secretary can act as a proxy. Zoom is an easy-to-use videoconference platform, requires a laptop, PC or mobile phone. It is free and our website manager says “Zoom is one of the best designed communications tools ever. You can even join from a land-line ‘phone via a freefone call.”

The Spring Show, scheduled for the 27th March, is also cancelled owing to COVID restrictions.

It is unlikely that the Summer Show will be possible – we shall see. Perhaps members would like to send photographs of their produce instead.

The trading shed will operate from 13th February on the same basis as last summer; i.e. ordering by text, having timed appointments or delivery.

Here are pictures from 2019 Spring Show

Winning cactus

Container with growing spring flowers

February Gardening Tips

Welcome to the start of the growing year, when seeds can be sown, potatoes prepared by chitting and the first flowers: daffodils, snowdrops, primroses, winter aconites and pulmonarias show some colour.

February involves pruning many late flowering shrubs to encourage new flowering shoots, for example:

A useful tip for Wisteria – 7 &2. In the 7^th month prune back new growth to 7 buds and in the 2ⁿ^d month (now) prune these shoots back to 2 buds; you can also cut out some tangled old wood.

Winter jasmine can be cut back after flowers have fade to 5cm/2” from a main stem.

Late-flowering clematis can be cut down to a strong pair of buds about 30cm/12” from the ground. This will stimulate the new growth that bears the flowers.

Hydrangeas: leave mophead hydrangeas until March before dead-heading, they flower on last year’s growth, but prune Hydrangea paniculata to an open framework now because they flower on current season’s growth.

Bush roses can be encouraged by pruning back to outward facing buds late in the month

Fuchsias should be cut hard back to 15cm/6” and Santolina and Lavatera to low, well-placed branches

After pruning, a top-dressing of compost or general fertiliser should be applied.

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January Hints and Tips

Cyclamen

Reasons to be Cheerful

The shortest day has been and gone and the daily period of light has, almost imperceptibly, increased. The infra-red wavelengths penetrate the soil and activate enzymes, via chemicals called phytochromes, that start seeds and dormant plants growing.

Witch hazel, Sarcococca, Daphne odora and Mahonia are just some of the scented flowers you can enjoy now. Wintergreen ferns give a wonderful textured foliage effect in sheltered shady spots, so do the leaves of Cyclamen hederafolia and Pulmonaria. Cyclamen coum flowers in early spring and combines well with winter aconites or snowdrops. (The peak flowering time for most snowdrops is February, but varieties like Galanthus elwessii, G.nivalis and G.woronowii are earlier.)

Jobs to do

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