General news, May 2012

Members are reminded to check the Diary for dates of forthcoming events such as the Quiz Night which has now been confirmed.

The committee has decided not to organise a coach outing this year. There are several reasons for this, the main one being the significant increase in the cost of hiring a coach due to steep increases in the price of fuel.

If you want ideas for a day out have a look at the The National Gardens Scheme, where gardens are open for charity.  Another good website is Great British Gardens, which lists gardens to visit throughout the country.

Harrow in LEAF is holding it’s Annual Plant Sale this Saturday, 19th May between 11.00am and 2.00pm at the West Harrow Allotment Site.  Click here for details.

Volunteers are always needed, and welcomed, for working parties at Newton Ecology Park.  The next date is Sunday, 27th May starting at 10.30am.  For further details please contact the Warden Claire McDermott (claire_mcdermottatbt.com).

Happy gardening!

Almost free

There is still time to plant out potatoes, onions and shallots, all of which are still available at the trading shed in varying quantities.

We have decided to give them away to any members who want some but would ask that that if you do then please make a small donation to the charity fund.

There are also some packets of peas Petit Pois and Sugar Snap well past their sow by date for which the same applies.

Edit Wed, 16th May….please note that there are now no potatoes.

An important reminder

Please note that the Society’s 2012 Annual General Meeting is being held next Tuesday, 24th April at The Rookery, Rooks Heath College, Eastcote Lane, Harrow starting promptly at 7.15 pm.

Further details of the agenda, and location, can be found here.

Plant sales

Various flower and vegetable plants are for sale to members on the charity stall* at the trading shed.

Flowers include gerbera Revolution @60p, (American) marigold Taishan @40p, various pelargoniums, petunia Frenzy @30p and drumstick primulas in mixed colours @ 50p.

Vegetables include broccoli Marathon @ 10p and tomatoes Alicante and Gardener’s Delight both @ 50p.

Note all prices are per single plant, and the varieties and quantities will vary week to week.

[*more details about the charity stall and where donations are made from the money made from these sales in a forthcoming post]

National Gardening Week 2012

…is a new event by the RHS to get the nation growing and celebrate everything about gardens and gardening.

Click on the above logo to see full details of what’s happening when and where.

Happy gardening!

Hosepipe ban

As from Thursday, 5th April there is a hosepipe ban including the watering of allotments and gardens.  Hoses should be disconnected from taps and watering cans only used.

This is a Temporary Use Ban imposed by a water supplier under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991.

Veolia Water have stated that anyone who breaches the ban could be fined up to £1000.

Further information can be found here.

Some spring reminders

On sale at the trading shed are dahlias Caribbean Sunset, Dark Spirit, Eveline, Promise and Purple Gem all at £1 each;  and gladioli After Shock, Invitatie, Jacksonville Gold, Mary Housley and Venetie all at 20p each. Details, with photos,  of all these can be found by searching here.

There are plenty of seed potatoes, varieties as listed here, still available except Cara and Charlotte which have sold out.  All are £1-25kg*.  Also onion sets Sturon & Turbo and shallots Golden Gourmet at £2 kg*.   [* any quantity or weight can be bought, which will be charged accordingly.]

Don’t forget that the Middlesex County Spring Show being held next Sunday, 1st April  is well worth a visit, especially if you like daffodils.