APRIL 2011
At last it’s April and the fun
starts; after months of being stuck indoors reading seed catalogues, it’s
time to get out there and begin. I have been reading about the companion
planting technique used by the Iroquois Indians in North America, called
the Three Sisters, where corn, climbing beans and courgettes are planted
together in close proximity. The corn supports the beans, the beans
provide nitrogen for the corn and the courgettes shade the roots and keep
the weeds down. Sounds like a good idea to me.
Do you have a jumble of hand
tools in your shed, never know where your favourite trowel is? I found
the simple answer in IKEA. Magnetic knife racks, sold to hold kitchen
knives. Screwed to a shelf in the shed or greenhouse you will be able to
find what you need in an instant and if you paint the handles of your
tools yellow you will never lose them around the garden either.
Once again I have to make the
plea for new committee members; you have a wonderful committee but many
of them have served for a long time and would like a break and. of course,
it’s in the Society’s interest that we have new blood and new ideas to
keep us going forward. Do please contact me if you think you could be of
help on 8668 1309
Colin Jones, Chairman
6 GLASS
FRAMES
Derek Hawkins has some old
secondary glazing frames 3’ 2’’x 1’ 10’’ which would make good garden
frames. Free to the first caller. 8657 3415
CHELSEA FLOWER
SHOW TICKETS DRAW
We have two all-day
tickets for Thursday 26th May (8am - 8pm). The tickets will cost the
winner(s) £34 each (full price £47 each), and the draw will take place
after the talk on Thursday 14th April. If you would like to
enter the draw, please email your name and telephone number to Brenda at
bateman456@btinternet.com or telephone 8657 5280
OUTING TO DENMANS &
HIGHDOWN GARDENS 30 APRIL
We have a waiting list
for places on this trip. If you have booked but find at the last minute
you are unable to go, please telephone Brenda on 8657 5280
JUNE
COACH TRIP
Following Tom Hart Dyke's
inspiring talk to the Society in February, we are planning a visit to his
'World Garden' on Thursday June 9th. This will be an afternoon visit and
we hope that Tom will guide us around his garden and house. To make it a
day's outing we will arrange a visit to another garden in the morning,
where we can have lunch.
Details and a form to complete
for this outing will be included in the May newsletter.
Christine Webb
ROAD
STEWARD NEEDED FOR RIDDLESDOWN AVENUE.
Owing to the retirement of the present incumbent, I need a new road
steward for this road, currently 12 members (seven of whom pay by standing
order). If anyone can help, please telephone me, Val Burley 8651
5837.
RAFFLE PRIZES If anyone would like to donate a
prize, either for the monthly talk raffle or for the summer and autumn
shows, please contact Brian Goodman 8657 1689
PLANT
SALE
– SATURDAY 7th MAY – 14 WEST HILL, SANDERSTEAD
We
are looking for help on the day so, if you can help in any way or help
sell at one of the tables between
2pm and
3pm,
please give me a ring. Also, if anyone has any garden tables to loan for
the afternoon it would be a big help. Don’t forget, if you can spare any
plants or seedlings in pots and labelled, please contact Brian Goodman
8657 1689.
MANURE AVAILABLE
Put
real heart back into your soil! High quality rotted horse manure in bags
delivered to your door. Telephone: 0208 660 6078.
MARCH
TALK
The talk on 10th March was by Michael Penney on Orchids. He started with
pictures of orchids growing in the wild around the very ornate temples in
Thailand, which he has visited many times. There were then slides of
individual plants which are obtainable in this country, and he described
the different growing conditions each of them preferred.
There were many questions afterwards, and Mr. Penney gave very informative
answers. He also had some beautiful books listing a great number of this
enormous family of plants, and people were able to discuss them informally
before leaving.
APRIL TALK
At the next meeting on Thursday, 14th April, at 8 p.m.,
All Saints Church Hall, Jacqueline Aviolet will speak on “Four Days at the
Nursery” – “a behind the shed look at a day in each season at a working
nursery”. Miss Aviolet owns ‘Rosie’s Garden Plants’, which grows
herbaceous plants, such as asters, hardy geraniums and others and, also,
roses. (She specialises in some with Christian names).
We will hear about how one of the sadly diminishing number of independent
nurseries is managed. After Jacqueline’s talk there will be a chance to
buy herbaceous plants. Doors open from 7.30 p.m.
Mary
Early
RAINFALL
Kathleen Davies recorded 55mm of rain for
the month of February. Average high and low temperatures for February, as
recorded by John Morris were: 2011 – high 48.6F (9.2C) and low 41.5F
(5.3C). 2010 – high 42.5F (5.8C) and low 35.9F (2.2C)
Dates
for your diary
Thurs
14th April –
SHS
Talk, 8pm All Saints Church Hall
Sat 7th
May –
SHS
Plant Sale 2-3pm – 14 West Hill, Sanderstead
NEXT CIRCULAR: 1st May (notes by
21st April) to Brenda Bateman (8657 5280)
32 Lime Meadow Avenue, Sanderstead, CR2 9AR. Email
bateman456@btinternet.com
Discounted tickets for RHS Wisley - please book in advance with: Colin
Whitfield (8657 1972) or Valerie Burley (8651 5837). To hire equipment,
call Elizabeth Moran (8657 6828)
