Everything you need to grow...

Update

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As of today’s date of 19 July when all restrictions have been lifted, we are asked by the government to still proceed with caution. With that in mind and as our usual venue at The Memorial Hall is still unavailable due to it being a vaccine hub and our next meeting is due to be held in the Methodist Church, your Committee has reluctantly decided to cancel our meeting on 9 August. The Church is smaller and more confined and we feel we are potentially putting our members at risk if we continue.

There is no guarantee at the moment that our meetings for September, October, November, and December will be able to go ahead either and the Committee will look at it on a month-by-month basis. When we consider it safe to continue then we will let you know. We are disappointed that after all our hard work to get our club back to normal we are yet again reminded
that the safety and wellbeing of our members must take priority. Let us hope that things will eventually get back to some kind of normality.

We miss you all. 

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Gardens to gander

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Gardens through the NGS are now opening. Our Treasurer, Wendy Liddle’s garden is now open for the summer.

The dates are: 14/15 August and 4/5 September. The address is 54 Elmleigh, Midhurst, West Sussex. GU29 9HA You will need to book online . Go onto their website www.ngs.org.uk for tickets.

West Dean Gardens are open throughout the whole of July from 10.30am-5pm. .Tickets have to be booked on line at westdean.org.uk during the COVID19 restrictions.

Woolbeding Gardens open as from 6 May Thursdays and Fridays only. Go online to book tickets.

Go online to book tickets. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

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Insector Clueso! 

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The Harlequin Ladybird

This is an invasive species that has taken up residency in many of our gardens and homes. They are also known as Multicoloured Asian Ladybirds or Halloween Ladybirds and tend to be bigger and far more aggressive than our 46 native ladybird species. They are native to north-eastern Asia but were introduced into the US during the 1980’s and then into Europe as a form of pest control, as their favourite food is aphids.

They are such voracious eaters they are threatening many native insect species, such as native ladybirds, butterflies and lacewings as they chomp through vast quantities of their eggs and they also have a huge appetite for our native aphids. They are bad news for us humans too because when they arrive in our houses to overwinter they spray a nasty yellow toxic chemical around your home and they are biters, which can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

So if you see ladybirds that are considerably bigger than our native ones, then just be aware. They are not nice house guests!

Top gardening jobs for July  

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It is often one of the hottest months of the year and a great time to sit out and enjoy your garden.. Keep plants looking healthy by regularly deadheading and you'll enjoy a longer display of blooms. Make sure you keep new pants well-watered, using grey water where possible, and hoe off weeds, which thrive in the sunshine.

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1. Check clematis for signs of clematis wilt 

2. Care for houseplants while on holiday 

3. water tubs and new plants if dry, but be water-wise 

4. Deadhead bedding plants and repeat-flowering perennials to ensure continuous flowering. 

5. Pick courgettes before they become marrows

6. Treat apple crab

7. Clear algae, blanket weed and debris from ponds and keep them topped up

8. Check catalogues for next yeats' spring-flowering bulbs 

9. Give the lawn a quick-acting summer feed but don't feed wildflower patches or meadows 

10. Harvest apricots, peaches and nectarines.

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Musings

‘All the flowers of today are in the seeds of tomorrow’

Indian proverb

‘When overwhelmed and stressed and unable to think, I go out in my garden, it's cheaper than a shrink! ’

Anonymous 

‘A garden is not a place, it's a journey’

Monty Don

‘A society grows great when old men and women plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.’

Greek proverb

‘If you long for a mind at rest and a heart that cannot harden... go find a gate that opens wide into a secret garden’

Anonymous

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Weeders Digest

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Learn to identify, treat and prevent plant pests and diseases with the help of the experts at the RHS. A detailed A-Z plant listing explains common plant problems so you know what to look out for in your garden. Explore more than 300 close-up photos showing symptoms and causes of ailments, helping you to identify and treat problems fast. Includes suggestions for organic, biological and chemical controls to keep you one step ahead of pests and diseases.

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Keep your plants in perfect condition all year round.

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ISBN: 1405341777