Yapton & District Cottage Gardeners Society:
Winter Newsletter

1 Elm Cottages, Church Road, Yapton, ARUNDEL, West Sussex, BN18 0EW

NEWSLETTER - March/April 2005

Dear member.

The Weathermen forecasted rain, sun, frost, sleet and snow, what did we get? Well most of these with the exception of snow unless you call the few flurries we had snow. Spring is round the corner, with many bulbs forming heads and some showing colour. Talking of colour, once again we had a fantastic primrose sale, which boosted the Society's funds. Thanks to all who managed to come along especially those of you who renewed your membership. For those members who were unable to get along to the Primrose Sale, the next opportunity to renew your subscription will be at the Spring Show.
March and April will be a very busy time for your Committee. We start with the Barn Dance at 8.00 p.m. on Saturday 19th March 2005. This Barn Dance will have a live band and Ian Kirby is the caller, so get those dancing shoes, and outfits ready Tickets are going fast so please contact Tricia as soon as possible on 01243 552 054 for tickets.
The next event is the Spring Show on Saturday 26th March 2005, which in case you need reminding is Easter Saturday, here's hoping for lots of decorated Easter Cakes. In addition to the show, refreshments will be available, a raffle, cake stall, and a plant stall. Let's hope we can make it an eggscellent Spring Show, with lots and lots of entries, better get the Nurofen ready for David, (it is my legal requirement to remind you that other painkillers are available at all good chemists and supermarkets!).
Ever wondered how to cook with different oils and vinegars? You do have an opportunity to find out. Our Members Meeting at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 6th April 2005, in the Club Room of the Yapton and Ford Village Hall, will enlighten us in this field with a 45 minutes demonstration given by Odette Bery, who is a Cordon Bleu Chef. The meeting will start promptly so have your pens ready and your purses and wallets as I understand there may be an opportunity for you to purchase some provisions.
This talk is not just for the ladies of our Society, don't forget its us Lads who are usually in charge of the summer BBQ's, I cannot wait to pick up some new ideas for marinates.
The last event I need to mention in this newsletter is our annual Plant Sale. This year the plant sale will be on Saturday, 7th May 2005, in the Janet Phillips Hall of Yapton and Ford Village Hall. The doors will open at 10.00 a.m. Once again the plants that will be on sale will be realistically priced and of the normal high quality. When buying your plants do not forget to read the 2005 and 2006 schedule to see what plants you may need to enter the Annual and Autumn Shows. Your Committee will be only too willing to answer your any questions you may have, be it the plants you are about to purchase, queries in the Schedule to problem plants at home.
Hopefully, you will have managed to complete the winter digging and here are a few ideas as to what to plant this year subject to your crop rotation. Rather than buying pre-packed seed potatoes, why not buy loose. This will enable you to experiment with some different varieties on the market. I have heard that some members last year had excellent results from a variety called Picasso. Loose seed potatoes can be Obtained from small nurseries and garden centres such as Murrells at Pulborough, and Chalfcroft Garden Centre, Bognor Regis. Another potato, which is good for the show bench, is Kestrel. Kestrel has good resistance to slug damage, is eel worm resistant and shows good resistance to most other diseases. Also available from these outlets are loose onion sets and shallots. Now is a good time to start preparing runner bean trenches by digging in garden compost or well-rotted manure. Do not forget to clear winter greens as they are harvested or go to seed, the sooner this ground can be turned over to benefit from any late frosts the better.
With Spring just around the comer, the first thing to burst into life will be weeds, if we get a few dry days it's time to get out the hoe and start as you mean to go on. A weed free garden will help reduce the incidents of pests and disease. When snowdrops have finished flowering and before the leaves die down this is the best time to lift and divide large clumps. Plant out summer flowering bulbs and perennials providing the ground is not frozen or water logged. Now is also a good time to prune roses, cutting out any frost-damaged, dead or crossing stems. Who knows you could be on your way to having super roses ideal for the early summer show bench.
In the fruit garden, clean the debris from last year's strawberries and cover a few plants with cloches or fleece for an earlier crop. Do not forget plants under cloches may require watering from time to time. Finish any winter pruning on soft fruit and apples and pears.
Towards the end of March you will need to think about sorting out any lawns. Start by giving them a light trim with the blades of the mower in a high position. However, before doing this it may be necessary to give the lawn a rake to clear twigs, leaves, and other debris that may have settled during the winter. Neaten the edges of the lawn with edging shears and repair any damaged edges by taking out a small square and reversing it filling the damaged area with a mixture of potting compost and soil and sow some seed on this bare area. Small packets of seed called Patch Packs can be obtained from most Garden Centres.
Should the weather be wet then retire to the potting shed or greenhouse, which should have been cleaned back in the winter. Most bedding plants can now been sown along with tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers at the end of the month. Now is a good time to take fuchsia cuttings. Do not forget to check the ventilators on the greenhouse. If you have automatic ones make sure they work because even this time of year on a sunny day the temperature inside a closed house will rocket.
Well I think you have enough to be getting on with. Look forward to seeing you shortly, and stay warm!

Best Wishes

Chairman