WHAT CAN I DO WITH ALL THE AUTUMN LEAVES AND GRASS CUTTINGS?

 Article submitted by Alleyn Wilson

WHAT CAN I DO WITH ALL THE AUTUMN LEAVES AND GRASS CUTTINGS?

The answer is ..... to use them in your garden.

 

Leaves and grass add valuable nutrients into the soil as they decompose. 

It helps leaves to break up more quickly if you can shred them, or just run the mower over them. Leaves which are not shredded tend to form a mat which creates a barrier to air and water which will slow their composting.

Lawn clippings have high amounts of nitrogen and small amounts of carbon. Leaves have high amounts of carbon, so mixing the two in layers in a compost heap is the ideal mixture and will give rich compost quickly.

Alternatively, you could dig either or both directly into the soil. But by leaving it on top the worms do this for you and it will act as mulch.

Broken down leaves can be used as a thick mulch especially useful where you are growing acidic soil loving plants eg azaleas, camellias and heathers. Lawn clippings will make excellent mulch around all shrubs, plants and vegetables. A thick mulch of leaves or grass clippings will suppress weeds, retain water and provide nutrient rich soil for good plant growth. A mulch will also keeps moisture in during hot dry spells and add to the humus content for better soil which can resist dryer weather. Mulch will be taken down into the soil by worms and this also adds to good drainage with less work. It can also provide some cold weather protection if used to cover sensitive plants for the winter. eg dahlias which are not lifted.

So using leaves and grass clippings is an essential part of tidying up your garden in autumn, preparing it for winter and ensuring that spring growth gets all the food it needs.

So what‘s not to like ? – leaves and grass used now will :

clear the garden

make excellent compost

reduce the weeds

protect overwintered plants

be a free soil improver ( directly or as a compost)

will encourage worms to do the work

And you end up with better, stronger and more beautiful plants.

A few of the tributes to Club Member John Horne who sadly died in August

"John was an active member of the club with amazing knowledge on azaleas and in April wrote us a piece on caring for these plants. He will be missed by many of the club members."

"We understand he volunteered work at Hilliers. He was also friendly with Rosmary Legrande regarding her father's breeding of azaleas."

 

"Humorous; very knowledgeable when it came to motorcar engines;  involved with many other societies - archaeology, vintage cars, volunteered at various places and was passionate about his deciduous azaleas."

 

"Brought his own home-grown azaleas (from seed) to plant sale - distributed seedlings to members. Always available for advice, especially about his pet topics of azaleas and rhododendrons. Friendly and helpful to all."

 

"My own memory was of a really keen club member and someone who contributed greatly, gave at least one talk, and helped get everyone involved."

IDHS newsletter September 2020

Quite a change in the weather since our last newsletter, it feels like Autumn has arrived with early morning mists over the forest.

 

Unfortunately, I start this newsletter with some very sad news. John Horne sadly lost his battle with cancer on August 18^thin Salisbury Hospital. John was an active member of the club with amazing knowledge on azaleas and in April wrote us a piece on caring for these plants. He will be missed by many of the club members. Johns funeral service was held On Monday 7^th September. The club has sent condolences to his family on behalf of the members.

 

The committee met virtually last week and considered the responses received since our last newsletter, asking for views on when we should restart meetings. Whilst we did not receive a huge number of replies, the majority views were that to think of restarting meetings before January at the earliest would be foolhardy. One member suggested looking at Zoom meetings and we may look at this in more detail if we cannot restart at the beginning of 2021.

As a result all meetings for the rest of 2020 have been cancelled.

 

Whilst there was not an overwhelming response to our “Winter Challenge”, to date the committee have been persuaded to give it a go so if you want to compete with us, then it is not too late to let me know and I will get seeds to you so you can try growing a Trachycarpus Fortunei!

 I have been contacted by Wendy and Alan Milburn (members) who have been having a turnout and have a number of pieces of gardening equipment that need a new home. They have kindly offered them to club members in the first instance and all they ask is that you give a donation to club funds or donate to a charity of your choice.

Details can be found on our  IDHS blogspot so do have a look and contact Alan and Wendy to arrange a donation and collection.

Congratulations if you are still reading ..... WE STILL NEED A TREASURER.  If you have a partner that can add up (they do not need to be a club member) and would be willing to help us out, please get in touch as this is getting urgent.

 We have a few committee members that are stepping down in the next year so we are also looking for new members to come onto the committee and help plan events and meetings. We are a friendly group and meet once a month to plan ahead. Please give it a thought and contact me if you would like to chat about this further.

 We look forward to hearing from you

 

Your Committee

Heritage Open Days 2020

The following web page offers a large number of interesting places to visit:

 

https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting

The Great British Garden Party: 14th to 20th September:

 

IN HAMPSHIRE

As we approach the end of the NGS Garden Visiting year, we have one final major event.

The Great British Garden Party:  14th to 20th September:

This is an opportunity for anyone to invite friends, neighbours and family to join you in your garden, or allotment for a cup of tea and cake and to donate a small amount to the NGS.  You do not have to be an NGS garden opener.  During the week 14th to 20th September you might like to hold a lunchtime party or an evening soiree.  Its a great opportunity to share your outdoor space and appreciate the comfort it has been during these past few months of lockdown.  To join the Great British Garden Party couldn’t be simpler. For more information, including invitations and posters, as well as menu and party ideas from Mary Berry (NGS President) all you need to do is to register your interest and sign up to host an event at  ngs.org.uk/gardenparty  A great way to raise funds for vital nursing charities, and be part of something special.

If this is not for you, you might like to visit one of our few Hampshire NGS Gardens - opening during September for one final time.  We have two ' NEW FOR 2020 GARDENS ‘ who are going to open, and one real favourite.  The owners of The Thatched Cottage, Upper Farringdon, have opened their garden many times in 2020 - despite this challenging year.

As always tickets for the following gardens will be available online on the Monday prior to the opening date:-

ngs.org.uk/findagarden  

NEW FOR 2020:

HECKFIELD PLACE - THE MARKET GARDEN:   Heckfield,  Hook.  RG27 0LD.

Opening Saturday 5th September:  Two time slots 2pm & 3.30pm. Book your slot to arrive and then stay as long as you like until closing at 5pm. (NB: Tickets for this garden available from Monday 24th Aug)

THE THATCHED COTTAGE:  Upper Farringdon,  Alton  GU3EG

Opening Sunday & Monday 6th & 7th September.  Four time slots - 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm. Book your slot to arrive and then stay as long as you like, until it closes.

NEW FOR 2020:

TADLEY PLACE:   Church Lane,  Baughurst,  Tadley   RG26 5LA 

Opening Saturday 27th September:  Three time slots - 1pm 2pm & 3pm.  Book your slot arrive and to arrive then stay as long as you like, until it closes

What a strange year it has been - please may 2021 return to some sort of normality, and maybe you can all get back to your monthly meetings, with like minded people. 

Best Wishes to all

Pat Beagley ( Publicity)

National Garden Scheme - Hampshire

pat.beagley@ngs.org.uk 

IDHS Newsletter - 10 August 2020

Having spent the morning in the heat painting, I am now like many trying desperately to find some shade as the thermometer hits 30 degrees once again!

Now the runner beans are prepared, its time to get the newsletter written.

We will start again with a plea to all members, we NEED a new Treasurer in order for the club to continue. The committee are reviewing the tasks associated with the role and having taken out much of the membership responsibilities, it is a much more manageable job. Please give this a thought and come back to me on this email if you would like to know more.

Your committee met last week and whilst we are waiting for the Covid guidance on using Ibsley Village Hall, we are taking decisions one month at a time. We would like to know how you are feeling so if you could reply to this email and let us know if you could see yourselves returning to meetings before next January, it would be helpful. How would you feel if we had to limit numbers, perhaps by putting in an online booking system?

Please let us know as it is your club and we need feedback as to whether we are making the correct decisions.

We have cancelled meetings until the end of September at present and we did discuss the possibility of a garden visit but made the decision that that too was looking impossible.

There are some Open Gardens  available and more information can be found on our IDHS blog

Finally we have a Winter Challenge for you! One of our members Xavier Champeau has a few thousand of Trachycarpus Fortunei and is wondering if you would like to grow one!

 

 

If you are interested please send a stamped self addressed envelope to Sally Bonynge at Ten Oaks, Toms Lane, Linwood, Hampshire BH24 3QY and I will send you some to have a go! Having looked these up, they make take a while to germinate so I think some patience is required!

Dont forget to keep sending articles or pictures of interest which we will add to the blog.

In the meantime, take care and look after yourselves

 Your Committee

 

 

 

National Garden Scheme Hampshire

 

IN HAMPSHIRE

A small selection of the National Garden Scheme gardens continue to open their gates to the general public, with the added bonus of Tea and Cake (not all garden owners choose to provide these) This is in accordance with the latest Governments Guidelines.
For those of you who are fans of the free magazine Country Gardener, I’m pleased to say that this is starting up again with the September issue - available from mid August.  This magazine is available at some gardens centres and various outlets, and generally contains some very interesting articles.  Watch out for an article on Hampshire National Garden Scheme - during the pandemic.
The Hampshire gardens which are open during August are as follows:-

1st & 2nd August:  Old Camps,  Newbury Road,  Headley,   Thatcham   RG19 8LG

1st, 2nd & 3rd August:  Selborne (not the village) Caker Lane,  East Worldham, Alton. GU34 3AE

2nd & 3rd August:  Bleak Hill Nursery & Garden,  Harbridge,  Ringwood.    BH24 3PX

8th, 9th & 10th August:  Wheatley House,  Wheatley Lane,  Borden.  GU35 9PA

22nd 23rd & 24th August:      “            "              “            “            “             “      “ 

9th August:   The Thatched Cottage,   Church Road,  Upper Farringdon,  Alton  GU34 3EG

9th August:   Bramdean House,   Alresford.   SO24 0JU
15th & 16th August:   21, Chestnut Road,  Brockenhurst.   SO42 7RF.

As is the current normal all tickets have to be pre- booked online, thus controlling numbers and eliminating the need for cash.  All the gardens are available to book from the Monday prior to the opening.
ngs.org.uk  and select South East to view the gardens open for the following week.
There may well be more gardens opening, as the month progresses - these will be available to view on the website.
Very soon we will be planning our gardens for 2021, so if you feel your garden is one that would be admired by the general public and you would like the opportunity to raise funds for our hard pressed Nursing, Health and Caring charities, who have really come to the fore during these past few horrendous weeks, why not contact me and we can arrange for a member of our team to visit your garden and discuss this with you.
Take Care and Keep Well
Best Wishes
Pat Beagley (Publicity)
National Garden Scheme - Hampshire
pat.beagley@ngs.org.uk 

Sale of Day Lilies

Please note the latest entry in "For Sale and wanted"

GARDENS OPEN FOR THE SALISBURY HOSPICE FROM JULY 5th

We have received this notice from Daphne Ince

 

GARDENS OPEN FOR THE SALISBURY HOSPICE FROM JULY 5th

 

We have decided, with theses difficult times to open three gardens in the valley

 

from JULY 5^th from 10am, ONWARDS until the end of the month.

 

THIS IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY and you must book your slot for each

 

 garden individually. PLEASE don’t just turn up.

 

The contribution will be £5.00 minimum for all three gardens, so hang on to

 

your tickets in case you need to visit another garden on a different day.

 

WE ARE SUPPORTING SALISBURY HOSPICE, that has had to cancel

 

 many fundraising events, and always NEEDS money, being mainly self

 

 supporting.

 

So if you feel generous it will be much appreciated.

 

THE GARDENS ARE:-

 

The Old Workshop, Middle Woodford, opposite the car park.  01722 782532 daphneince@waitrose.com

 

THE COURT HOUSE, LOWER WOODFORD  PHONE 01722 782237 Email   rachelstudholme@aol.com

 

AVON COTTAGE LOWER WOODFORD Email   dotty.sas@icloud.com

IDHS newsletter July 2020

          Dear All

I hope your gardens are flourishing with this lovely weather, sun and rain.

Most of you have ignored our plea for a new Treasurer so asking you again to think hard about this – do you know anyone that might be interested even if they do not currently belong to the club.

We are looking at the role to see what parts could be shared across the committee

Please please think carefully as we cannot function without a Treasurer – it would be terrible if our next meeting was our last.

The committee have been thinking about fees for membership in 2021 and have decided that the fairest thing is to say that all those that paid for 2020 (54 members) have 2021 free and all those that did not pay in 2020 pay the usual £6 in January 2021. Hopefully we might make a few meetings at the end of this year but it all depends on the state of the virus!

We have heard recently of the sad death of Neil Lovesey (not Covid) who came to speak to the club on a number of occasions and will be remembered by some members.

Don’t forget to complete your quiz from Pat, we will go through the answers at our first meeting.

We have had a message from Bob Foulser from Cerne Abbas gardens who have not been able to open their gardens this year but have put a collection of photos online at Cerne Abbas gardens (just click this link)

Please remember that all meetings and trips have been cancelled until the end of August when we will review where we are with the virus.

There are some lovely photos on our blogspot at IDHS blogspot (click the link) and we will always take more especially those vegetable plots – I have added one here to spur you on!

In the meantime please stay safe and well, think about the Treasurer role and hope to see you all again soon

Your Committee

Cerne Abbas Open Gardens

Members may recall that last year we visited Cerne Abbas Open Gardens around this time in June.

This year the Cerne Abbas Open Gardens are cancelled. However we have received a message from the organiser.


We wanted to wish all our disappointed visitors a safe passage through these difficult times and perhaps cheer you up with a virtual visit to our gardens.

Consequently we have assembled a collection of photos from our gardens this year and these may be viewed at

www.cerneabbasopengardens.org.uk 

Please pass this link on to members of your horticultural society with the very best wishes from the Cerne gardeners.
Many thanks

Bob Foulser

Hampshire Federation of Horticultural Society Garden & Allotment Competitions 2020

  

View this email in your browser Hampshire Federation of Horticultural Societies The Peter Maunder Virtual Garden Competition Due to the coronavirus restrictions the garden competition will be “virtual” for this year. Any member of an affiliated society can enter. Each entrant is to supply 2 photographs of their garden for judging. Photos will be judged and first, second and third declared, no trophy or prizes but there will be certificates awarded instead. There is no entry fee. Photos will be anonymised (to prevent gnome rustling) and placed on the HFHS website prior to judging. Competition Rules & Entry Details   Closing Date for entries 30th June 2020 So get snapping! Peter Maunder Garden Competition Rules and Entry for 2020 Due to the coronavirus restrictions the garden competition will be “virtual” for this year. • Any member of an affiliated society can enter.  • Each entrant is to supply 2 photographs of their garden for judging. Photos will be judged and first, second and third declared, no trophy or prizes but there will be certificates awarded instead. • There is no entry fee. • Photos will be anonymised and placed on the HFHS website prior to judging. Judging will be based on the usual criteria as much as possible (remember we can zoom in on the photos!) So take photos that demonstrate as many of the following judging criteria as possible.  1 Health, vigour, diversity and suitability of plants allowing for difficulty of cultivation (30 points). 2 Suitability of design to the site with the requirements of household usage and the incorporation of the principles of water and top-soil conservation.  (20 points). 3 Visual impact, harmonious planting, with suitable encouragement for wildlife (20 points). 4 Maintenance of paths, fences, walls, ponds, structures, hedges, green areas and working areas.  These could include patios, natural pools, fruit and vegetable plots and woodland gardens (15 points). 5 Cultivation, cleanliness and neatness.  Freedom from pernicious weeds and diseases (15 points). Entries  - Closing Date 30 June 2020 • Please email your photos to Caroline Ford:  cford@mvnet.co.uk • Please include your Name and HFHS affiliated society in the email.

IDHS Newsletter - June 2020

Dear Members

Yet another month has gone by and I am sure many of you are enjoying this fabulous weather although like me some will be scanning weather forecasts for a hint of rain and we may be in luck sometime this week!

Although lockdown is being lifted slowly, as a committee we think, sadly, it will be sometime before it is safe to hold an indoor meeting but as soon as we think it is safe to do so, we look forward to welcoming you back to the club.

I start this newsletter with a picture, I finally managed to get our new gazebo erected with some help and thought you might like to see a picture! This was purchased with a grant from the local parish council and club funds and will be very useful for events such as the plant sale, show and Frogham fair (hopefully next year).

For those of you that did not get to the end of last months newsletter, my plea this month comes near the top!

Your club needs a new Treasurer and we need someone by November when Debbie steps down, needing to spend more time developing her business. The post is not onerous and I know Debbie would be happy to talk to anyone that might be interested.

If you know anyone that could help or wants to know more, please give them my email or let me have their details.

Most importantly, your club cannot function without this role.  

We have been contacted by Danni Garrett who would like any unwanted plants to go to NHS and other key workers by putting up signs and putting the plants in the lay-by  at the Old Beams pub at weekends. If you have any plants that you can spare for this worthwhile cause then contact Danni at danygarrett@talktalk.net  or on 01425 471635.

Many National Trust properties are beginning to open up but you may need to book a slot to visit- the booking system is available on individual property web pages so do look before you visit.

Dont forget to look at our blog    IDHS blogspot  to see the many wonderful photos, articles, sale adverts etc. I would like to see some of the vegetable patches that produce such amazing wins for our club members at the show so please

send them to me or John at johnandroshan@outlook.com

In the meantime, please stay safe and well and hope to see you all soon

Your Committee

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Sandling Park Virtual Open Gardens 2020

Club Member John Horne has sent us the following link to a virtual tour of Sandling Park, Hythe, Kent 

https://youtube/pSU3iwjoGN4

These are spectacular gardens which are normally opened in aid of Pilgrims Hospice.

Free Garden Plants for NHS and Key Workers

Dany Garrett is offering her spare plants to NHS and other Key Workers. The plants are ones she would normally have sold at various local plant sales that have been cancelled this year.

She is making them available from this  weekend at the lay-by adjacent to the Old Beams Pub. Dany is putting up some signage nearby and on the main road. Key workers will be welcome to take what they fancy for their homes/gardens.

Dany has suggested that members of Ibsley Horticultural Society, and other local gardeners, may also like to contribute any of their spare plants in the same way.

Dany lives conveniently close by and will keep the set-up organised. She has requested that any persons wishing to donate plants either email her on  danygarrett@talktalk.net   or give her a call on   01425 471635  and she will arrange for the plants to be set up at the lay-by.

The proposed offer is  very kind and generous, and we believe many of our members may also wish to support.

Thanks.

National Gardens Scheme in Hampshire - May update

                                                                                      
                                                                                                 HAMPSHIRE

I would like to update you with what is happening within the National Garden Scheme.

Every Thursday more ‘Virtual Garden Tours’ are being added to our website:- ngs.org.uk   In the great scheme of things these are becoming more and more popular and proving very uplifting to all our supporters.

Week commencing 8th May would have been our Gardens and Health Week.  We did still celebrate this with some very moving stories and video’s  from people to whom their gardens and gardening proved a real release from some of the stresses of life and the impact of their health issues.  These stories were ably introduced by Rachel de Thame, who is not only a renowned Gardener and Presenter, but an Ambassador for the NGS.  Rachel openly discusses her own recent issues with breast cancer . You can find Rachel’s introduction here  https://ngs.org.uk/gardens-and-health-week/  and click on Watch Now.

In my Mach Newsletter I mentioned that the NGS had set up a ‘Just Giving’ page.  It very quickly became apparent that this was not the best way forward, so it was very soon dropped in favour of our own in house account.   You can rest assured that 100% of your donation goes to our charity - we do not have someone sat there creaming a % off the top!!  The donations from our Virtual Tours currently exceeds £50,000.00  This is extremely generous and will go some small way to support our charities.  It is now even easier to donate - via your smart phone.  Simply text GARDENS  (5, 10 or 20) to 70085. Text cost the donation amount plus one standard message rate. Please ensure to leave a space between GARDENS and the number (5, 10 or 20).

Whilst our ‘Virtual Garden Tours' have proved very popular and people have been very generous with their donations, there is nothing like the real thing.  To this end the NGS has in place procedures for when we get the green light to open our gardens to the general public again.  Things won’t be quite the same though, as a result of Coronavirus.

1) All visits will have to be pre-booked online and a ticket will be issued.  This is a very simple operation - if  you can read this email, you will be able to book tickets.

2) The tickets will be issued for timed slots, and limited numbers per slot, to comply with social distancing.

3) There will be no refreshments and plant sales are still under discussion.

Our main priority is to protect our volunteers, our garden owners and our garden visitors.  Some garden owners may not be able to open for a variety of reasons - size, access or health issues.  Whether a garden opens or not is strictly down to the garden owner.  So we are all ready to go…..we just have to wait for the Governments decision to allow us to do so, along with RHS and NT.

I’m sure it has not passed you by, that this week should have been the  Chelsea Flower Show - don’t forget your Chelsea chop!  On our website you will find a celebration of this from five esteemed garden designers, with 30 Gold Medals between them.  As this is the bi-centenary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, the Florence Nightingale Garden was planned - deigned by Robert Myers.  It will now feature in Chelsea 2021. You can have a sneak pre-view of this https://ngs.org.uk/robert-myers-the-florence-nightingale-garden/ 

Finally I will leave you with some images from our Hampshire Garden Owners - all from their own gardens.

GREAT COLOUR COMBINATION

Courtesy of Jonathan & Sheila Richards.  of POVEY’S COTTAGE  STONEY HEATH   BAUGHURST  RG26 5SN:  NEW FOR 2020 AND WERE DUE TO OPEN IN JUNE & JULY:

SO DELICATE AND INTRICATE

AQUALEGIA:  Courtesey of Audrey & Jonathan Crutchfield: 146 BRIDGE ROAD     SARISBURY GREEN    SO31 7EJ:  WERE DUE TO OPEN IN MAY:

BEARDED IRIS

Courtesy of David & Victoria Wormsley:  THE OLD RECTORY   E. WOODHAY    RG20 0AL:  WERE OPENING FOR GROUPS:

REFLECTIONS:

Courtesey of Tessa & Clive Redshaw:  SPITFIRE HOUSE    STOCKBRIDGE    SO20 6JS:  WERE DUE TO OPEN IN JUNE AND JULY:

It would be amazing if the next time I contact you I could tell you which of our gardens are opening - albeit not as we knew it.  We’ll just have to wait and see.

In the meantime take care - keep safe

Best Wishes 

Pat Beagley (Publicity)

National Garden Scheme - Hampshire

Marcus Dancer Plants

Marcus Dancer was originally sheduled to give a talk to the Club in June. This has had to be postponed until 2021. 

He has sent us the following message regarding supply of plants from his local nursery at Sandleheath

 

 

Good evening

I am sending you this email advising that I am now able to offer a mail order service during this very difficult and challenging time.

On my website you will see a wide range of clematis, climbers, shrubs and perennials.

For people living more locally I can deliver orders of plants direct to your door observing social distancing.

Please advise all your friends and contacts.

Kind regards
Marcus
Marcus Dancer Plants
clematisplants.co.uk

Coffee Grounds

DID YOU KNOW ?

Used coffee grounds are a precious resource for the garden , so don’t throw them away. Use them.

 How? 

Read on and give it a go :

1.       Deter  pests by spreading around plants to discourage ants, slugs and snails – they dislike the texture and that lovely coffee aroma

2.       Free fertiliser a -  coffee grounds are high in nitrogen content

a.       Dig into your soil to improve it, especially for worms,

b.       add directly to your compost  ( with the filter paper if you use one)

c.        mix with grass clippings  ( ensure there are no seeds in it) or leaves and spread around acid loving plants like azaleas or camellias

d.      pre mix with carrot and beetroot seeds before planting to increase your yields ( you will have to dry the grounds first for easiest application – spread out on newspaper on a sunny window sill)

Why not try it now whilst more coffee is being drunk in lockdown.  ? – you have nothing to lose.

Azalea. Hints, Tips and Help

I thought that the number of members that took up the offer of Azalea seedlings might be interested in a few hints and tips on bringing these seedlings to fruition and take ones mind off the plague

For those in Poulner a warning. In the nineteen hundreds all the land there was small holdings and would have been limed quite a bit so it’s a risk to plant out lime hating plants. However I knew someone who lived in the centre who had no problems growing Magnolia and Camellia in his garden.

For those in and around the new Forest most of the soil is acid and should have no problems.

OK to keep in as plugs but OK to pot on if needed, in most cases by the end of the year.

Use the correct compost if potting on.

When planting or potting on plant level with the surrounding soil. DO NOT bury the root ball.

If possible use rain water

Water every day in the summer heat.

Keep out of direct sunlight. The hot sun burns them up at this stage. After 12 months should be OK.

Any enquiries Email me at hornejohn1@gmail.com.. Could be a delay in answering.

John Horne

IDHS Newsletter May 2020

Dear All 

After a lovely few weeks and a spell of rain, I’m sure many of you are spending lots of time in your gardens and like many of us expect to have lovely tidy tended patches by the end of lockdown whenever that is!

Some of you have contacted me to find out if anyone has spare plants available and the most common vegetable to be sought after is the courgette!

I received a timely email today which may help a few in the Hyde end of our patch of plants for sale with proceeds going to Hyde church.

“Not the usual stock but various tomato varieties, courgettes, butternut squash, aubergines, various herbs, hollyhocks and some perennials. If interested, please contact me on 07557 531712 to discuss. If I cannot speak please leave a message and I'll call back. Alternatively email me on darkefamily@btinternet.com “

Otherwise don’t forget to check our IDHS webpage or http://idhsociety.blogspot.com where John (our secretary) has been placing members photos, videoclips, items for sale or wanted. Do take the time to have a look as its lovely to see how members gardens are shaping up.

There is also a photograph of an azalea that Alleyn has nurtured from one of John Horne’s cuttings to go with his article he has written for the newsletter, particularly of interest if you have purchased one of his cuttings previously   (see  the article that follows in the blog )

I promised last month to update you re decisions on future events and after an interesting telephone conference committee meeting we have with regret, decided to cancel the annual show. This is partly due to not knowing what position we will all be in by September but also in acknowledgement that our sponsors paying for advertising allowing the show to break even would expect the schedule to be out in shops by now which clearly can’t happen.

Should you be the lucky recipient of a cup from 2019 show, please keep these safe for another year.

We have also decided to cancel all garden visits for 2020 but if things change, we will look to arrange a local visit by car later in the year. Hopefully Forde Abbey will go ahead in 2021 (third time lucky)

Don’t forget Frogham Fair has also been cancelled this year.

Do keep a lookout for items of interest for other members such as virtual garden tours, articles or competitions and send me details to put onto our blog or in a future newsletter.

I have included a few below which have been sent to me to share with you:

• Baskets and Blooms are offering a limited delivery service – see their Facebook page for more details
• Chelsea Flower Show is going virtual 19^th -23^rd May
• Virtual tours of closed visitor gardens – Exbury, Minterne and Beth Chatto to name a few – see www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-52152303 for more details
• RHS and BBC One Show have launched a competition called My Chelsea Garden asking you to enter by submitting a photo by 18^th May 2020. See the website for full details on www.bbc.co.uk-2020-mychelseagarden

I need to let you know of the sad deaths of two people who have links with our club.

The first is Pat Baines, the sister of Pauline Wells who many of you will know from the beautifully painted cards that she made for the club to sell last year and who came on some of the garden trips.

The second is Evelyn Cousal who was a long time member of the group. Our thoughts and best wishes go to their families.

My final request is one for all members to think about.....

Sadly, due to the fallout of this pandemic, we will be losing our Treasurer as Debbie feels she needs more time to spend on her business. I and the other committee members will be very sorry to see Debbie step down, she will be a great loss but thankfully has agreed to stay on until our AGM.

Please give this some thought and if any member feels that this might be a role for them, please contact me and I will put you I touch with Debbie to discuss the role further. Remember, the club cannot function without a Treasurer!

Having not thought that there would be much to say, I have managed  to fill a lot of space! Hopefully we will be able to get together again at some point this year but will keep these newsletters going in the meantime. Dont forget to send me things of interest.

Take care everyone and stay safe

Your Committee