“Autumn… the year’s last, loveliest smile.” – William Cullen Bryant

 Presentation

Sue Dengan gave an interesting and very informative talk on willow weaving. Although Sue told Friday Forum that she is a relatively newcomer to willow weaving, she did a super job demonstrating her weaving skills. 

There was much enthusiasm and many questions asked as we went along.  Members were able to have a go themselves by plaiting four willow strands.

Display Table

Judith brought Verbena Bampton, Verbena Bonariensis, Orange dahlia, Tithonia (an annual)

Peter brought, in sealed plastic bags to keep fresh, Ginger (hedychium), Mimosa , Morning Glory (ipoemea)

Dorothy found this bargain at B&Q - three for £10. She left one at home as it was a bit run of the mill

 

Trevor's Dahlias grown from seed

Liz's flowers

Next Meeting: Oct 6^th: Harvest Meeting – Food and Quiz

Visit to Cliff Bank Nursery

The inclement weather forecast didn’t stop Friday Forum members from an enjoyable visit to Cliff Bank Nursery in Huby where we were shown round by owner Ben Preston.

The site has been a nursery for over 100 years, the last owner being the late Joe Maiden. Ben, previously head gardener at York Gate and now joined by partner Laura, previously a NHS nurse took on the site last year after it had been closed for about 8 years.

With his passion for plants, Ben told us about the challenges they had to overcome, Ben shared his future plans with us and we have no doubt that this enthusiastic couple will achieve their goals such as making a show garden of all the plants available in the nursery, a woodland walk and taking on an apprentice, just to name a few. Ben told us that one thing is certain, Cliff Bank will never become a garden centre but remain a plant nursery.

Everything at Cliff Bank is propagated from seed, cuttings and divisions and you will find a healthy selection of woodland plants, unusual perennials and ornamental grasses. Further stocks are grown in raised beds in the village nearby.

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The resident hens give eggs every day as well as keeping down the slug and snail population.  Ben and Laura also keep pigs which are useful for clearing rough ground and eat the windfall apples 

The polytunnel with its colour coded seeds

The very  old greenhouse where Ben showed us some before and after pictures.  All manner of objects have been found when clearing the site! 

We were given a tour of the nursery when Ben answered all our questions and gave us many tips on propagation.

A welcome drink and slice of delicious cake in front of the apple orchard.  An apple press is brought in at harvest time. There is an impressive view from the nursery over towards Harewood. 

The Nursery is open Wed-Sat 9am-4:30pm until Sunday 29th October. This allows Ben and Laura to attend plant fairs, details of which are on the website. 

https://cliffbanknursery.co.uk/

More details of the history is here:

The first of many……Welcome to Cliff Bank Nursery – 10th of October 2022 – Cliff Bank Nursery

Next Meeting: 15^th September – Willow weaving with Sue Dengan