Chaddesley
Gardeners' Club Monthly Meetings
Wade
Muggleton is the Countryside Officer for the County Council and those
involved with the Community Orchard will have met him and realised his
love for fruit trees is infectious. No one can be in his company long
without being tempted to experiment with some of his ideas.
His fascination with growing fruit and vegetables in ‘anything’ and
I mean anything he can lay his hands on is infectious.
Small gardens are no draw back to enjoying a wide range of lovely fresh
vegetables and the garden can look good as well as taste good. ‘Pots
and Tiny Plants’ lived up to its title, intriguing and titillating
members at the March meeting.
Names
were being taken to join our Outing on the 17th June to Preen Manor and
David Austin Roses. Preen Manor is one of the hidden gems of Shropshire.
A private 6 acre garden on site of a Clunaic monastery with a mixture of
formal and semi formal gardens. Wonderful background of old buildings,
lovely views and unusually designed garden rooms, terraces and walks
with interest in every corner.
In the afternoon we go to David Austin Roses. What a wonderful day out.
If you are interested please contact Jean Smith Tel:01527 861437
April
8th - Paul Cook from Cooks Nurseries will demonstrate containers and
hanging baskets using unusual plants.
Come and get some new ideas for this summer.
At the April meeting we would like some idea of how many people are
going to come on the may trip.
We will travel by car to the Nursery where we will have coffee and cakes
followed by a Talk by Reg at £6 per head.
May
13th – We are going on our travels again for this meeting.
Reg Moule has invited the Club to visit David’s Nursery at Martin
Hussingtree.
The
Garden Club is forming a group to help at the Chaddesley Corbett Fete
and Flower Show.
If you are able to support us please contact Malcolm Brewer Tel: 777530
We look
forward to seeing you on March 11th at the Village Hall 7.30pm for
coffee and chat before the meeting at 8.00pm
Happy Armchair
Gardening! ~ Judy Berrow
HOW TO PLANT A TREE
A tree's dormant period from late autumn
after leaf drop to early spring before bud break is the best times for
planting.
Prepare for planting by calling the local utility companies to locate
your underground lines. Whatever form of tree you plant, the
instructions are similar. The following method refers to balled-and-burlapped
and container-grown trees. Measure the diameter of the tree's root ball
with the shovel handle. Remove sod that's twice as wide as the root
ball. Set the tree aside (pick it up by the root ball, not by the
trunk). Dig a planting hole. Make sure it is deep enough so that the top
of the root ball will align with ground level. Loosen soil in the bottom
of the hole and around the sides. Peel the burlap back from the trunk
but leave it on the root ball; it will decompose eventually. Remove any
containers, plastic, twine, or wire encasements. Centre tree in the
hole. Refill the hole with soil. Do not fertilise. Crumble dirt clods,
then settle the soil and eliminate air pockets around roots by watering
the hole as you fill it. After the hole is completely back-filled and
watered, apply mulch. Water again in a week, then again every week
(unless 1"(2.5cm) of rain falls) through the first growing season
and prior to winter.
When planting bare rooted trees and
shrubs, spread the roots out like an umbrella, twisted roots stunt
growth. As you cover the roots with soil shake the plant from time to
time to allow the soil to drop clown well between them. Water well after
planting. Put support stakes in before you plant a new tree to avoid the
possibility of damaging the roots.
To prevent snow damaging small conifers,
when it is forecast tie the branches to the trunk with string or old
nylon tights, however, do not leave them tied for more than a day or
two.
When planting trees or other large plants
make sure they don't adversely affect your neighbour's house or view.
The Gardeners Hymn
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small.
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
But what we never mention, though
gardeners know is true,
Is when he made the goodies, he made the baddies too.
All things spray and swatt-able,
disaster great and small.
All things paraquat-able, the Lord God made them all.
The greenfly on the roses, the
maggots in the peas.
Manure that fills our noses, he also gave us these.
The fungus on the roses, the club
root on the greens,
The slugs that eat the lettuce and chew the aubergines.
The drought that kills the
fuschias, the frost that nips the buds.
The rain that drowns the seedlings, the blight that hits the spuds.
The midges and mosquitoes, the
nettles and the weeds,
The pigeons in the green stuff, the sparrows on the seeds.
The fly that gets the carrots,
the wasp that eats the plums.
How black the gardeners outlook, though green maybe his thumbs.
But still we gardeners labour,
midst vegetables and flowers,
And pray what hits our neighbours, will somehow by-pass ours.
From
Kidderminster Parish Magazine
