Talk of the Month
Friday, 8th March, 7.30pm
What’s On This Month
Forde Abbey, only a few miles from Chard, opens the gardens from 1st – 7th March for a spectacular Crocus display. Times: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Taking over from the snowdrops, acres of naturalised crocuses (Crocus vernus and tommasinianus) will line the pathways and cover the lawns with their wide open chalices. Elsewhere in the garden, the wild daffodils (Narcissus lobularis), clumps of Lenten roses (Helleborus x hybridus) and splashes of Chionodoxa and winter flowering shrubs. The Coffee Shop will be open and will be serving hot drinks, cakes and light bites.
For more information check the website:
https://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/events-module/2024/03/01/crocus-week
What’s On This Year
RHS FLOWER SHOWS 2024:
- 18th – 21st April: RHS Urban Show, in the heart of Manchester
- 9th – 12th May: Malvern Spring Festival
- 21st – 25th May: Chelsea Flower Show
- 14th June – 7th July: RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show
- 2nd – 7th July: RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
- 17th – 21st July: RHS Flower Show Tatton Park
- 27th – 29th September: Malvern Autumn Show
For more information see the RHS website: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events
What to do in the garden this month
- Now is the time to move deciduous trees or shrubs provided the soil is not frozen or waterlogged.
- Finish planting bare-rooted plants.
- Feed roses with a special rose feed as they come into growth. It’s also a good time to prune roses to encourage strong new growth.
- Dead-head daffodils as the flowers finish and let the foliage die back naturally.
- Dead-head hydrangeas before new growth appears. Cut to about one third of last season’s growth.
- Start to direct sow vegetable seeds such as carrots, radishes and lettuce in greenhouse borders or under cloches.
Christmas greenery, straight from the garden
What could be more lovely than stepping out on a cold and frosty morning to pick home-grown Christmas greenery, straight from the garden? Graham Rice offers some expert plant suggestions.
It used to be that the only option for holiday greenery in the home was the Christmas tree, along with holly and ivy. Now everything’s changed, and very definitely for the better.
Today an increasing range of attractive evergreen alternatives for decorative foliage is available to use in wreaths, in table decorations and in long-lasting seasonal arrangements. And the great thing about so many of these alternatives is that you can grow them yourself at home. Here are ten options.
Numbers at the end of each entry refer to plant height and RHS hardiness rating.
Source: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/articles/graham-rice/shrubs-and-climbers/grow-your-own-christmas-greenery
Winter heathers
Sharply shaped
Edged in gold
Fresh and bright
Colourful ivy
Winter blues
Holly with a difference
White Christmas pine
Silver charmer
Longest lasting evergreen
Did you know?
Did you know that the Primrose is Devon’s county flower?
A traditional harbinger of spring, the wild primrose can still be found throughout Devon, although it is not as widespread as it used to be. To learn more click here http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/devon/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8576000/8576940.stm
Annual Membership
The cost of annual membership is only £10 per person, which entitles you to free admission to our interesting monthly talks held in Kilmington Village Hall on the second Friday of the month. Application FormKILMINGTON KIDS' CORNER
Don’t forget that if you have any gardening stories or photos to share with us, we would love to hear from you!Download this Winter Nuts and Berries spotter and see how many you can find on your walks around Kilmington.
https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-02/nuts%20new%20pics.png
Contacts
Jane Chalk (President)
01297-33063
Lesley Rew (Chairman and Talks Organiser)
07900-827689
Beverley Perkins (Secretary and Membership Secretary)
01297-631801
Jean Falconer (Show Secretary)
01297-33708
Christine Mills (Outings Secretary)
Tel: 01297-599018
Sarah Frankish (Treasurer)
Tel: 07718-232401
Contact Email Address
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