What a summer so far! I know you think I might be deranged but it is time to order bulbs for the winter and spring – get your order to a known bulb supplier and order by September and you will have every chance of getting what you want, whether it ‘s scented daffs for Christmas or smelly hyacinths. I never seem to time it right and have nice blooms in January! My real favourites are amaryllis, they are foolproof and so spectacular. Perfect presents!
Dead heading is a priority in this hot weather be it roses or dahlias. They will repay you with more blooms if you’re attentive. My sweet peas have reacted to the hot weather by shortening their stems – instead of nine inches, they’re struggling to make 3”!
This year’s village Summer Flower and Produce Show will soon be with us. All over the country shows are closing some due to lack of support, others due to lack of a committee to do all the hard work. We are lucky that the Gardening Club does a fantastic job running a Spring and Summer Shows.
Please support the Show on Saturday, 19th August – it is open to everyone. The 74 (yes 74!) classes cover vegetables, flowers, pot plants, home produce, flower arranging, and artistic subjects – as well as a special children’s section – so if you have visiting grandchildren for example – encourage them to have a go! Pots and containers are judged in situ a week before, so please let me know if you’re entering yours!
If you are new to showing, come and talk to one of the committee members, they will welcome you with open arms!
You can get a copy of the schedule with the entry form from Bob Teasedale who lives at Glebe House, Main Street, email [email protected] or download one from our website at www.bishamptongardeningclub.org.uk/events.
With this dry weather, if you water the garden it’s better to do it less often and give it a heavy soaking, preferably in the evening as there’s less evaporation. My plum trees have such heavy crops I pick a lot off as I walk the dogs around the orchard. I try to space them about two inches apart but it never works out as the dogs get bored and I have to move on to another tree – besides a lot are too high to reach!
I might cut the branches down to pick them as some trees are so tall I would need a cherry picker to reach them. At least it would be the right time to prune as all stoned fruit should be pruned when growing to avoid disease getting into the cut branches.
So DON’T FORGET THE SHOW – Saturday 19th August – entries Thursday 18th 6-8 pm Villages Hall, or by post to me Four Acres, Hill Furze, WR10 2NB. Staging of exhibits 9-11 on the day and the Show is 2-4pm with the obligatory cake and tea to whet your whistle, prize giving and auction at the end.
Pete Chamberlain
www.bishamptongardeningclub
01386 861438
Dead heading is a priority in this hot weather be it roses or dahlias. They will repay you with more blooms if you’re attentive. My sweet peas have reacted to the hot weather by shortening their stems – instead of nine inches, they’re struggling to make 3”!
This year’s village Summer Flower and Produce Show will soon be with us. All over the country shows are closing some due to lack of support, others due to lack of a committee to do all the hard work. We are lucky that the Gardening Club does a fantastic job running a Spring and Summer Shows.
Please support the Show on Saturday, 19th August – it is open to everyone. The 74 (yes 74!) classes cover vegetables, flowers, pot plants, home produce, flower arranging, and artistic subjects – as well as a special children’s section – so if you have visiting grandchildren for example – encourage them to have a go! Pots and containers are judged in situ a week before, so please let me know if you’re entering yours!
If you are new to showing, come and talk to one of the committee members, they will welcome you with open arms!
You can get a copy of the schedule with the entry form from Bob Teasedale who lives at Glebe House, Main Street, email [email protected] or download one from our website at www.bishamptongardeningclub.org.uk/events.
With this dry weather, if you water the garden it’s better to do it less often and give it a heavy soaking, preferably in the evening as there’s less evaporation. My plum trees have such heavy crops I pick a lot off as I walk the dogs around the orchard. I try to space them about two inches apart but it never works out as the dogs get bored and I have to move on to another tree – besides a lot are too high to reach!
I might cut the branches down to pick them as some trees are so tall I would need a cherry picker to reach them. At least it would be the right time to prune as all stoned fruit should be pruned when growing to avoid disease getting into the cut branches.
So DON’T FORGET THE SHOW – Saturday 19th August – entries Thursday 18th 6-8 pm Villages Hall, or by post to me Four Acres, Hill Furze, WR10 2NB. Staging of exhibits 9-11 on the day and the Show is 2-4pm with the obligatory cake and tea to whet your whistle, prize giving and auction at the end.
Pete Chamberlain
www.bishamptongardeningclub
01386 861438