"A potted view on what is happening in the Gardening Club"

Greetings Gardeners- I hope you are all safe and well. It’s such a difficult time social distancing and trying to maintain some semblance of normality but we know it has to be done if we want to return to what we like to refer to as "normality" As you are all aware we are at the moment living in unusual and uncertain times and we have no idea when, we as a Club, will meet again. It has taken 6 years to reach this far and we hope that when this crisis is over NGC will emerge even stronger than ever. The AGM did not happen last Wednesday and the May meeting looks unlikely as well, as so does June, so we thought a Newsletter would be a great idea to keep you all informed of what is happening or not! The idea of this "Newsletter" is to keep you aware of what is happening within the Club and what members are doing to help alleviate the difficulties of "containment".

To this end I hope that members will contribute to this "Epistle" by letting me know how you are spending your time, (things that I can publish!). What projects you have undertaken, with photos, pictures of your garden or flower or plant you are proud of, tips that you have found to work in your garden, anything that will keep are spirits up until we can meet again. The Virtual Spring Flower Show was a great success, exceeding my wildest dream, so I hope through your contributions we an keep the NGC "alive". As I have said, we will have some sort of occasion to show all the exhibits received, "SO WATCH THIS SPACE"

You will find, (I hope) in these jottings:- A Potted Review of the Club The President's Thoughts The Chairman's Perambulations The Secretary's Delights Renovating Victorian Path Words From the Vice-Chairman Taking Cuttings Word Search Making Vegetable Planters Suggestion For Edging Borders Copy of the Club's Accounts Amaryllis Care

The President's Thoughts How unusual are these times. Normally we would be worrying about frost and winter damage and how much was repairable whilst being alert to old enemies re emerging from winter refuge and how we are to deter their assault on our favourites. Instead (or as well) now we beware of assaults from a virus on ourselves, and our gardens become our welcome isolationist retreat from an unseen enemy. At least there are tangible things we can do which have a track record of mitigating Nonington lost assaults on our gardens. Neither science or history has yet done none during the much to help us with the virus. Black Death You may not know but we have the 1349 rental accounts for Eswell, and Eswalt, the area broadly comprising what were the estates of St Albans Court and Fredville until the 1930s. Whilst between one half and two thirds of the population of including the Mayor and Burgesses were dead from the plague, here every rental was occupied except for that of one recently deceased widow Eleanor Hobbs - not a relative that I know anything about I hasten to add.

But we have our gardens to enjoy and despite the late frosts, the weather has been relatively benevolent and our gardens are burgeoning together with the public planting throughout the village. This year, we celebrate only in print !

The Chairman's Perambulations The club continues to grow with in excess of 70 members. To keep interest we need expert speakers so we have to pay in some cases £125 plus travelling so we need a healthy bank account! Let me start by thanking everyone who has made Nonington Gardening Club a thriving, interesting, friendly and informative society and an asset to the village ,without their help non of this would be possible. To our Vice Chairman Di who despite health problems has supported me and the Club without thought to herself. Thanks Di To Barb the Secretary who tirelessly scrolls the pages of publications looking for interesting Speakers Thanks Barb. Next, Janet our Treasurer who has her finger on the button and looks after our finances impeccably. Thank You Janet. A copy of Like an AGM but our accounts is in the Newsletter. without the wine Our Raffle Ladies, Eileen & Mary, who for the past 6 years have & nibbles. diligently organised the Raffle. Without their contributions to our You will have to fund raising we should have not been able to secure the excellent, provide them interesting and informative Speakers that we have had. Many yourselves whilst Thanks. reading this! Our Minute Secretary, Pauline Hodding who ensures that our Committee Meetings run smoothly. Many Thanks To our Trip Organiser Carol, Thanks for your efforts as they have been thwarted at times this year but you have stuck to it tenaciously. Our Press Reporter Bridget who keeps the profile of the Club high with her monthly reports of Club activities. Thanks Bridget. And last but not least Michael Parker and Janice who are always available to take on any task that is asked of them, it certainly makes the Chairman's task a lot easier. Thank you both very much.

It was Open Gardens last year which I felt went very well with good weather and an abundance of visitors, who all appeared to enjoy themselves. The Trips we had this last year were also enjoyable thanks to Carol. It was a shame about the Flower Show but I'm afraid there was nothing we could do about that. Also the AGM was cancelled but you have a "cobbled version" here. The results of the monthly competition which, was very close will be announced at our next meeting whenever that is. Finally I should like to thank all the members for their support and encouragement because without them there would be no NGC.!!

Officers and Committee For 2020-2021

Chairman:- Barry Rampton 01304849112 Vice-Chairman:- Di Mouzakitis Hon. Secretary:- Barbara Rampton Hon Treasurer:- Janet Holness Minute Secretary- Pauline Hodding Raffle Secretaries:- Lez & Geoff Stradling Trip Organiser:- Carol Goodall Press Officer:- Bridget Hailwood Village Hall Rep:- Carol Goodal Committee:- Janice Willett & Michael Parker

Secretary's Delights

The Program for 2020/2021 is as follows:-

May 13th "The Wonky Parsnip" Speaker:- Laura Bradley of Chartham

June 10th "Autumn in the Garden" Speaker:- Steve Bradley of Guildford Radio Garden Presenter

July 8th "May Your Photography Blossom & Bloom" Speaker:- Glyn Bareham of Maidstone

September 9th "Chilies of Challock" Speaker:- Serena Shirley of Challock

October 14th "Choice Trees For The Smaller Garden" Speaker:- Mr Tooher of Whitstable

November 11th " A Title Less' Talk" Speaker:-Mr. Philip Oostenbreuk of Ash

December 9th "Christmas Festivities"

2021

January 13th This Space is Left to Rebook any Cancellations Due to CV.,

February 10th "The Fascinating & Secret Life of the Mole" Speaker:- Mr. Chris Stewart of Sevenoaks

March "The Good The Bad & The Ugly" Dr. Sue Turner of Tenterden

March "Annual Spring Flower Show" (We Hope!)

April The AGM

Victorian Path Renovations By Carol Peter Goodall

Due to the amount of time we have on our hands we (but mostly Peter) decided to overhaul an old path, the rockery and the pond. The path is an original one, possibly 1890 or thereabouts as it appears in an architect's original drawing. Therefore after thinking it over (over several years but never finding the time!) we decided that we wanted to keep it as original as possible. To that end Peter has removed and reset the edging bricks and we will infill the triangular spaces with gravel which will hopefully help to keep the weeds in check. I Before know that bricks do not make a great path but as this is a path that goes nowhere the suitability of it is not a big issue. Originally it linked our cottage and the one next door, when they were almshouses. The rockery is another work in progress. Some plants having done so well that they have swamped it and some plants have given up the ghost! Last year the waterfall was leaking so Peter will be

After resetting the water course to try and resolve it. Well, what else would we be doing in these unusual times we find ourselves in! Pictures attached are sort of before and after, although we had already done the left side which was much worse with edge bricks laying on their sides.

Words From Our Vice-Chairman

Dear all, I do hope this finds all my gardening friends fit and well in this strange and worrying time . We are so fortunate here in Nonington and the surrounding villages that we have gardens and beautiful countryside around us. Fortunately my spinal op was a success and I was able to have it before the lockdown . I am so lucky now to be able to potter in the garden for short periods . However the weeds continue to grow and multiply daily ! The expensive tulips I purchased from Sarah Raven are now starting to bloom and the deep purple ones are particularly beautiful. I enclose a photo but I think they are too dark really to see and my camera skills are not great ! Anyway , my friends, I so look forward to meeting up again when we are able and in the meantime do hope and pray that we can all keep safe and well . Di.

Taking Cuttings

It has been suggested that some would like to see how to take cuttings, so this is how we do it. We take them at any time of the year but they will do better at certain times of the year depending on the plant. The two I am showing here are a Helianthemum (Rock Rose) and a Erysimum "Bowles's Mauve" (Perpetual Wallflower). The reason I am taking them now is that Barb is going to cut them back as they have become very "leggy". The best time for the Rock Rose is June or July and the Wallflower Spring & Summer. I will be using two different types of potting medium 1) All purpose Compost to which I have added a little grit to aid drainage and 2) Perlite which I have wet. (Di tried this with some of her cuttings and it worked a treat) First take your cuttings preferably from a non flowering shoot and gently remove the majority of the leaves. If they are a plant with large or long leaves I would trim the leaves to reduce water loss like the Wallflower. The cut just below a leaf node and plant in the potting medium. I then just give them a drop of water to help settle the medium around the stems. As Barb has the propagator in us and there is room in there, I will put them in there but normally I would just leave them in the greenhouse. Do not let them dry out but just keep them moist.

Wallflower Helianthemum note long leaves

ready for planting ready for planting note trimmed leaves

Perlite keep moist

Wallflower Helianthemum

Word Search In & Around Nonington

Chillenden, Knowlton, Village Hall, Chapel, Royal Oak, St Marys, Fredville, , St Albans, , Nonington, Beechgrove, Beauchamps ONE IS A RED HERRING!!

A E V O R G H C E E B E E C H G B A R F R E S T O N E Z L F B C E H N N O N I T B K P E L T B M A B E O X C V I M L P L L A G K U C O L N D R N F A R D V I N K C A B N M I K L H J R C H O K O H B A R F R N C H I L Y W M C X A S A B S K B G H L U L S F E W M N O R M Y D L T I T E L L I V P A L B F R L M R O Y A L O A K S B E E C I N O N O N I N G T O E L L I V D E R F R Y R A M T S M A L L A H E G A L L I V F T C S T V M A R S T A L B M O L H C V S S N J M N E D N E L L I H C Making Planters

When we first came to Nonington we thought it would be nice to have an allotment, so we acquired one in . It was very overgrown but with hard tenacious work we soon had it under control and started to reap the benefits of our hard work. The only problem was, the allotment was in Eastry. It took time to get there and to load the tools to work it when we arrived. If we were in Eastry our own garden was neglected and visa versa. The only solution was to give up Eastry, which meant we had more time in our own garden but that meant less vegetables. We liked growing our own but with the loss of the allotment how could we grow for the table? Planters, that's what we needed so I've made some from 2"x2" treated timber. We're hoping to grow a good variety in the varying depths of planters I've made. We are hoping for Runner Beans, French Beans, Carrots, Salsify, Celeriac, Parsnips, Beetroot etc. We shall keep you posted on the success or failure of our efforts.

Thought for the Month

Whoever said to be Happy for an hour you should get drunk but to be Happy for a lifetime, plant a garden, missed an obvious opportunity: to get drunk and plant a garden.

Whose Garden is This?

Can you guess which members garden this can be found in? Please send me a photo of your garden and let's find out how observant members are.

Edging

Lawns and edging are synonymous with each other and there are many different types depending on garden size and preference. When we moved here our beds were long and so I put in brick edging which was cemented in for stability. Last year however, we made a lot of small beds which, a brick surround was to heavy and did not look right at all, so a different type had to be sourced. After much trolling through the internet we settled on a Galvanised Lawn Edging. This is made of steel , rot proof maintenance free, rust and strimmer proof and corrugated for strength and flexibility. Just dig a narrow trench along side the lawn insert the lawn edge and backfill. When we first did this last year we were not very impressed because being steel it was "in your face" it was so obvious so we didn't put any more in. It was very effective for keeping the edge of the lawns looking good and was easy to keep the grass under control at the edges. However they have mellowed over the months and so I have edged all the other beds and at the moment they all look great. The galvanised steel comes in 5 metre lengths is 16cm deep and costs depending where you but it about £18.00 but we think it's worth it.

Amaryllis Care

Many of us have grown these plants around Christmas but what do we do with them when they have finished flowering? Try this:-

 After flowering, cut down spent flower spikes to the base, but keep the leaves growing on by careful watering and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser weekly  Place the bulbs in their pots outside or in the greenhouse during the summer months, but shade them from scorching sunshine and water regularly  In late September move the plants to a well-lit position and keep cooler at about 13°C (55°F) for eight to ten weeks. Stop feeding and reduce watering so that the plant becomes semi-dormant  After this cool dormant period, cut the remaining old leaves to 10cm (4in) from the neck of the bulb. Replace the top 2.5-5cm (1-2in) of compost  Commence growing as for planting of a new bulb.

Bulb offsets

Propagation by offsets will produce a flowering bulb in three to four years, which will be identical to the parent plant.

 Separate offsets from the main bulb when repotting (January to March). Look out for offsets with their own roots  Pot up in individual pots in a free- draining compost  Keep at a temperature of 21°C (70°F), feed in same way as potted seedlings and don’t induce dormancy.

I hope this will be useful.

For those who were at the last meeting this is the Amaryllis that I showed, if you remember, it hadn't started growing but in 17 days it grew into this and it would have been ready for the Show:-

Club Accounts With Thanks to Janet for preparing and keeping our accounts and to Rob for checking them. It has been suggested that the Club should enter into Charity Fund Raising and this was an item that would have been brought up at the AGM. How this would be achieved will be open to discussion, so please think about it. We will discuss it at the first available opportunity.

I trust that you will find this first Newsletter of the CV Quarantine period interesting, useful and hopefully a little amusing. It would appear from what is transpiring at the moment that our May Meeting will also have to be cancelled but we will keep our fingers crossed for June. In order to keep the NGC alive during these periods of "Lockdown" there will be probably another Newsletter. To help fill the pages could I have some input from members please, photos, tips, anecdotes, jokes (that can be published), thoughts on how you are coping, projects you are undertaking or thinking of undertaking, or anything that you think may be useful, interesting or amusing. Thank You

Answers to the Wordsearch

A E V O R G H C E E B E E C H G B A R F R E S T O N E Z L F B C E H N N O N I T B K P E L T B M A B E O X C V I M L P L L A G K U C O L N D R N F A R D V I N K C A B N M I K L H J R C H O K O H B A R F R N C H I L Y W M C X A S A B S K B G H L U L S F E W M N O R M Y D L T I T E L L I V P A L B F R L M R O Y A L O A K S B E E C I N O N O N I N G T O E L L I V D E R F R Y R A M T S M A L L A H E G A L L I V F T C S T V M A R S T A L B M O L H C V S S N J M N E D N E L L I H C

Finally

A man should never plant a garden larger than his wife can take care of.