The Potting Shed

June 2020

It is with regret that we that we need to make some additional changes to our proposed Programme for 2020 to protect ourselves and our communities.

  • Members’ Gardens Day (5th July) - We still hope to have some form of Garden Visit or Garden Party on this Sunday, with appropriate social distancing throughout or we will reschedule to have an afternoon social over the summer

  • Mel and Gill’s Barbeque (11th July) - This will be cancelled and will be something to look forward to in 2021

  • July Club Meeting (14th July) - This will again be a Zoom web meeting and details will follow

  • Summer Show (11th August) - This will hopefully take place at Fairlands Community Centre as planned, but will convert to a Virtual Show if necessary

  • Coach Trip (5th September) - This has been postponed to September 2021. We will try to organise a local visit that can be undertaken by own transport to have something to look forward to at the end of the Summer

It is very sad to have to make these changes, but we will continue to do everything we can as a Club to still make this a year we can remember for some of the right reasons too.

Working

Jobs to Do in the Garden this Month

In these exceptional times, keep safe and keep gardening

  • With almost no rain since the end of April, water is at a premium - try to conserve as much as possible by watering thoroughly but infrequently, and try to capture any rainfall we do get in water butts

  • Treat roses with a high potash (potassium) rose fertiliser

  • Watch out for pests and diseases, especially aphids on soft growth (dahlias, lupins, roses, etc) and vine weevils on Heuchera and container plants

  • Deadhead all plants regularly to encourage new flowers and to continue the flowering season

  • The sunny and warm spring has meant a lot of plants have put on more growth than usual and stems may need supporting

  • Continue to succession sow salad vegetables for a continuous crop over the summer

  • Last chance to sow and plant out squashes and courgettes

  • Hoe beds on hot sunny days so the uprooted weeds die off before rain falls (if it ever rains!)

  • Remember to stop and enjoy your garden!

Something missing? - Use the Feedback form to suggest your own Tips and Dos and Don'ts...

Relaxing

What's Looking Good in the Garden - Everything! Joyous June is here

Use the arrows on the pictures to browse

  • Alstromeria 'Indian Summer'

  • Salvia nemorosa 'Amethyst'

  • Rose 'Roald Dahl'

  • Phlomis italica

  • Kalmia latifolia 'Olympic Fire'

  • Stipa tenuissima

  • Paeonia lactiflora (Peony) 'Kansas'

  • Helianthemum 'Ben Mohr'

  • Rose 'Alister Stella Gray'

  • Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant'

  • Stipa gigantea

  • Heuchera 'Paris'

  • Rhododendron ponticum

Something missing? - Use the Feedback form to let us know your recommended plants to grow...

Thinking

This month's wordsearch with some topical words

Visiting and Seeing

Places to Go and Things to Do

Some of the Covid-19 restrictions are being lifted and a few gardens are opening up. Most require pre-booking of tickets and timeslots so please check the respective web sites for more information

Something missing? - Use the Feedback form to suggest places to visit or local events...

Sharing

What's been happening on our Facebook page and elsewhere

  • A reminder of the genius of Pam Ayres, "When I get up from my chair" - view the post on Facebook

  • A post on NextDoor warning us to be vigilant for Box Tree Caterpillars that have been recorded in Normandy

  • Some wonderful Irises and pictures from a charity walk - view the post and comments on Facebook and enjoy the photos below

Something missing? - Use the Feedback form to suggest other items to share with Members...

Remembering

The Old 'Potting Shed' Pages

If you have any comments or suggestions about the web site please use the Feedback Page. You can also add gardening advice, plants to grow, and places to visit.