Seasons of mist ....

Talk:  Muck and Magic by Sally Smith

 

We heard about the background to the organic movement and all learnt some tips on how to make and use compost from an expert in this field.   Sally Smith is now an organic gardening consultant and a teacher of basketry and willow weaving, having previously worked for organic organisations and as a researcher for the BBC.  A lively Q & A session followed the talk. 

It will be interesting to check at a later date whether our compost making skills have improved.

http://www.sallyorganic.co.uk/

Display Table

Gill showed us, using two containers, plants from her garden which are typically out at this time of year and those which are not expected to still be flowering.

 Typically out:  Viburnum Dawn, Viburnum Tinus, Mahonia midwinter sun, saxifrage fortuna, malus Red

Sentinel, calicarpa with its purple berries, Bowles mauve and Abelia

not expected to be out:includes  hydrangea, Plectranthus (usually grown as an indoor plant)

   

Ann brought a selection of Nerines which she says are hardy as long as the bulbs are planted in gritty compost leaving their necks out of the soil.  

Nerine Bowdenii  like Stephanie and Nerine crispa.

Nerines come in colours ranging from white to red.

Look for the  clematis head of Freckles

 

James brought Verbena bonariensis and informed us that there are over 250 species and they should not be cut back at the end of the season.  Also showing are a red salvia, Horsetail Grass Equisetum hymale, Hesperantha, the orangey-red Alonsoa, Rudbeckia, Anemone, Astrantia and chrysanthemum Suffolk Pink

 

Brian brought in his Balou chrysanthemum acquired from Graham and who has since bought and taken cuttings of very many of these flowers.

Carol brought a variety of fuchsias, one of which she couldn’t name.  Members helped identify it as 'Lottie Hobby'

 

Trevor brought his cheerful cyclamen, which reminded me that I purchased a half price outdoor cyclamen in a pot for £2 in Tesco.

Notice Board

Norma put out a request for surplus gardening tools which could be used by the gardening club at a Horsforth primary school.

Friday Forum Bring and Buy brought in a good sum, as have the Paxton plant sales throughout the year.  The shows were successful and Paxton’s patrons raised much needed funds.

Graham asked if anyone would be willing to help on the Friday evening before shows.

Thanks to those who helped in the Paxton Blitz, which was most effective.

James advised that the charity collection of plastic bottle tops will finish after the next meeting, so bring in any you have saved on 20^th November.

Next Meeting

November 20^th:  Presentation by Don Witton entitled Winter Survival Kit.