This is a copy of Margaret’s April newsletter
Hello Everyone
Are you like me? …wondering if it will ever stop raining? I don’t doubt that the balance will swing the other way, and come summer we will be wishing for some rain ! Maybe we should consider getting an extra water butt? The exception was an unexpectedly fine and warm day last Saturday. The BGS Plants and Seed stalls were well attended and a huge Thank You to those donating plants, the buyers, volunteers and everyone who supported the day. I’m not sure about the ‘bottom line’ but they appeared to be doing a brisk trade while I was there.
Unfortunately, Alwyn Page is unable to run any BGS flower arranging workshops this spring. However, she will be running a workshop at Lydney & Severnside Flower Club next week and BGS members are welcome to join in. This is an excellent opportunity to pick up some tips ahead of this year’s shows – particularly as Alwyn will be judging for us again this year!
Then, in May, Julie Sparkes (a BGS club member and a frequent winner of the flower arranging cups at our shows) will be hosting a demonstration called ‘Colour my World’. Further details to follow.
Monday 8th April, 7.15 to 9.00pm. (doors open 6.30pm) Lydney Town Hall – £10 per person (Lydney & Severnside Flower Club members- free).
A Spring Hands-on Workshop with Alwyn Page. Suitable for all abilities, even novices!
Booking is essential: 01291 625294 or alwynpage-flowercraft@hotmail.co.uk.
Please get in touch with Alwyn as soon as possible.
Choice of two designs:
A: Spring Parade – An avenue of spring colours and scents for the centre of your dining table, or to adorn a windowsill, shelf or mantelpiece. With easy to find containers and inexpensive materials. Environmentally friendly.
B: Spring Round Up – A pretty platter or tray of dainty containers filled with home-grown spring treasures. For further details, please see the materials list attached to the email.
Friday 5th April – Bream Library – 2pm to 4pm – Young Gardener’s Workshop See flyer below.
Tuesday 9th April – 7.30 to 9.30, Bream Sports Club
Talk by Marcel Floyd “Floyd Climbers and Clematis”. Marcel will tell us about how he started gardening and how to care for various types of climbers. Marcel will have plants for sale.
The Buzz Club. John Theophilus will explain how members can get involved in some exciting science projects and help conserve garden wildlife in the process.
Saturday/Sunday 27th & 28th April 9am to 12.30pm. Course is FREE – £2.50 for coffee/cake
GARDENING STEP BY STEP – ORGANIC AND NO DIG Weekend Beginners/Intermediate Course
Come and see, Learn, Do: Composting, soil types, pH propagation, biochar –
Course leader: Ken Power. 1 Lynes Cottage, Taynton GL19 3AP 01452 790802 –kjaypower@gmail.com
12 places only – please book with Ken Power directly. Questions? Please phone to find out more.
Ken Power 01452 790802 kjaypower@gmail.com.
Many thanks to Jennifer Lang for some gardening tips and advice…
As we are now into April, by now you should have started planting some vegetable seeds outdoors. I know we have had a lot of rain, but it is certainly time to sow the following outside: broad beans, beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprout, cabbage, carrot, kale, leek, lettuce, parsnip, pea, radish, rocket, shallots, spinach, spring onion, and turnip. Cabbage, cauliflower, courgettes, cucumber, squash, sweetcorn, and tomatoes can be started inside. They all need time to sprout and mature so you have produce to enter into the Summer Show on August 17th. And don’t forget what Monty Don said about your spring bulbs: “Do NOT cut back, tie or tidy the leaves of any bulbs but let them die back naturally as next year’s flower is being created by the photosynthesis of the foliage,” he said. “Leave them until the last trace of green has gone – which will be at least June – and then tidy them or cut back.”
Thank you to Suzanne for working on the website. It is being redesigned at the moment so it will get better. And more items added.
In the meantime, if you have any queries, the committee can be contacted on the BGS email breamgardeningsociety@gmail.com
best wishes
Margaret