Grayshott Gardeners Newsletter
October 2021
FROM THE CHAIR
Dear Members
It was lovely to see you at September’s lecture when Harriet Rycroft talked to us about planting pots – and gave us a nifty demonstration using her mobile phone!
This month we have a key-note lecture when James Alexander-Sinclair is going to talk about “A Life in Five Gardens”. James is a celebrity gardener, often recognisable by his hat! We are sure he will delight us with his brilliant communication skills.
In this newsletter, we report on the results of the survey which was undertaken in July to get your views on the newsletter and website. You will see a few changes to the newsletter based on what you told us – thank you to everyone who did the survey. Your feedback is important in helping make sure that Grayshott Gardeners club meets your needs.
We also are reminding you that next month is the A.G.M. We are looking for new Committee members – particularly someone who can organise our outings. If you would like to know more, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Happy gardening and looking forward to seeing you at our next meeting on 13th October.
Best wishes, Anne Waddell
WHAT IS IT?
Results for No. 10
The answer for September 2021 was an acorn. Three members correctly identified the photo – Anne Butler, Karen Cozens (again!) and Anne Preston. Congratulations.
This is the last of our ‘What Is It?’ section for the time being – based on feedback you gave us in the GG Survey – see more on page 2. Warm thanks to Gordon who provided the photos and to the many of you who entered – it was a good bit of fun during the pandemic.
WHAT YOU TOLD US
An on-line survey of Grayshott Gardener members was conducted in July 2021 to elicit views on the newsletter and website. Over 25% of members completed the survey. Thank you! Your feedback will be very helpful in shaping future the future of the club.
The results of the survey have been analysed and considered by the Committee. A clear message was the need for more Grayshott-specific gardening related items. With some of the feedback, we have been able to get on and do things; there are other areas that require your help to make happen.
Some of the actions under way include:
- ‘Retiring’ the Crossword – well done to Leslia for producing it monthly for the last 9 months. It served us well during the pandemic.
- Replacing the ‘What Is It’ photographic quiz – thanks again to Gordon – it certainly achieved the aim of helping to foster a sense of community (even competitive!) spirit amongst the Grayshott Gardeners – with ‘Name that Plant’ – see next page.
- Including routinely in the newsletter links to websites that offer tips on ‘What to Do in the Garden This Month’.
- Including within the annual programme some lectures with an ‘eco’ content – so on a topic that is environmentally friendly and sustainable.
- Setting up a Seed Swap. The idea is that a member brings their surplus seeds in an envelope(s) to a table in the registration area on the lecture night/show day and, in return, takes an envelope(s) with seeds they want. After the lecture/show, members will be e-mailed to let them know what seeds are still available if members are interested. Helen has offered to get this going and she plans to also have on the table some gently used gardening books for sale, with the proceeds going to GG. Look out for when this starts.
- Continue with our mini-plant sales from Committee members’ houses – a pandemic initiative which has proved a welcome income stream for club funds; members will be notified of these via e-mail.
Other ideas put forward require your help, so we would love to hear from anyone who thinks they can volunteer or would like to comment – please contact any Committee member or e-mail newsletter@grayshottgardeners.net
- Develop a buddy system…..where a ’newbie’ gardener is matched with a more experienced gardener to provide mentoring support.
- Have practical workshops – hosted by a member and open to members to give advice/share tips/talk about successes and failures e.g., on pruning, on growing fruit, on growing vegetables etc.
- Set up a ‘blog’ on our website – a forum where members can ‘talk’ with each other, ask questions, provide answers – in a more immediate way than provided for with the monthly newsletter. Initially, we are going to determine the feasibility of doing this, but we would love to hear from you about whether you think the idea of a blog is a good one.
OCTOBER 2021 MEETING
This month, on Wednesday 13th October, we are delighted to welcome key-note speaker James Alexander Sinclair. The lecture is entitled “A Life in Five Gardens”.
James is a renowned gardener designer, writer, broadcaster and R.H.S. judge. Who doesn’t love his wonderful column in Gardeners World magazine!
For more about James see this link.
The lecture is at 8.00 pm. Doors open at 7.15 pm as we are expecting this to be popular.
The arrangements are as follows:
-face coverings to be worn on arrival, when moving around and on leaving the Hall, but optional when seated
– owing to the volume of members expected, the chairs will be spaced a little closer than at our September lecture
-the Hall will be well ventilated
-there will be NO REFRESHMENTS
-there will be NO PLANT SALE
-there will be a RAFFFLE
-in order to avoid over-crowding, on arrival there will be four people manning the ‘Sign-In’ desks; there will be an additional table for visitors (for whom there is an £8 entry charge)
– no pens will be used by attendees, so please give your name clearly to the Committee Member who will tick off your names on the attendance list (we don’t always recognise people when wearing masks!).
Thank you for your cooperation.
NAME THAT PLANT
Thank you to everyone who entered our virtual summer show. There were some beautiful entries – although the judges couldn’t quite identify some of the plants. Perhaps you can help with this one?
If you think you know, please email our Show Coordinator, Pamela Wright at shows@grayshottgardners.net by 15 October 2021. Hopefully, we will be able to “name that plant” in our November newsletter.
No doubt many members have lovely plants in their gardens, but they are not sure what they are. Please do send in a photo (to newsletter@grayshottgardeners.net) for a future newsletter, and others can help with their identification!
PLANT OF THE MONTH IN GRAYSHOTT
One of the messages in the survey was that you wanted to know about what will grow in Grayshott. So, we are introducing a new feature where we will showcase, each month, a plant which should do well in the local area, and which should be in flower in the month of the newsletter. It is planned to provide a little bit of information, a photo or two and link(s) to a website where you can read further details. Please do let us know what you think and what would enhance this item. You can contact Gordon at president@grayshottgardeners.net.
CHINESE ANEMONE
The Chinese Anemone or Japanese Windflower (Anemone hupehensis) is a native of China and East Asia and a member of the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae).
In September/October, it produces a display of the purest white or pale to dark pink petals around a circle of bright yellow anthers and a green central dome. It is a deciduous, herbaceous perennial, growing easily in most soils, in all conditions from full sun to shade, spreading, once established, by suckers.
For pure white try the single ‘Honorine Jobert’ and ‘Wild Swan’, for pink, ‘Praecox’, ‘Hadspen Abundance’ and “Splendens’.
For more details see this link.
Anemone x hybrida ‘Whirlwind’
Anemone hupehensis var. japonica ‘Splendens’
NOTICE OF A.G.M.
10th November 2021
You all should have received an e-mail giving notice of our A.G.M. on 10th November 2021 at 8pm. Included with this notice was an agenda and a nominations form for the 2022 Committee. If you did not receive, please contact Rosario, our secretary, at secretary@grayshottgardeners.net.
Rosario also should be contacted if you wish to propose items for consideration at the A.G.M. – the proposal needs to be submitted no later than 27th October 2021.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
The crossword puzzle now has been ‘retired’; based on your feedback in the survey. Thank you again to Leslia who has been our crossword puzzle creator extraordinaire! Attached are the answers to September’s crossword.
WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN
IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
1.Divide established rhubarb crowns to create new plants
2. Cut back perennials that have died down
3. Divide herbaceous perennials
4. Move tender plants, including aquatic ones, into a greenhouse or conservatory
5. Plant out spring cabbages
6. Harvest apples, pears, grapes, and nuts
7. Prune climbing roses
8. Finish collecting seeds from the garden to sow next year
9. Last chance to mow lawns and trim hedges in mild areas
10. Renovate old lawns or create new grass areas by laying turf
The above list was taken from the R.H.S. website, but you may also wish to see
these links for more information: