HARDINGTON GARDEN CLUB
NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 2008
CLUB NEWS
This is a short Newsletter as promised to include a few pointers to help in preparing entries for the Hardington Show on 30th August.
CLUB NEWS
GOLD CLUB - POUNDBURY DISCOUNT EVENT
We have arranged a visit to Poundbury Garden Centre on Tuesday 9th September 2008 for discount shopping (25% off + free delivery).
Meet at the garden centre at 2.30pm. They do have a restaurant if anyone wants to go earlier and have lunch beforehand. Please let Sally or Rachel know if you would like to come as we have to let them know numbers for the refreshments.
Poundbury Gardens
Peverell Avenue
Poundbury
Dorchester
Dorset DT1 3RT
USEFUL WEBSITES FOR EVENTS
Last month, as usual, we listed forthcoming local events. Below is a list of sources to find out about events further afield, maybe where you will be going on holiday.
| Royal Horticultural Society | www.rhs.org.uk/whatson/events |
| National Gardens Scheme | www.ngs.org.uk/GFQuickSearch.asp |
| National Trust | www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-events |
| English Heritage | www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show |
| Country Life | www.countrylife.co.uk/countryside/events |
| Debby’s Garden | www.debbysgardenlinks.co.uk/shows.htm |
| Garden Hive | www.gardenhive.com/garden/events/uk |
| Historic Houses Association | www.hha.org.uk/HHA/search.aspx?show=events |
VEGETABLE SHOWING
First a few tips from the RHS Advisory Service:
- If this is your first show, start with something easy such as beetroot, French beans or a plate of plums.
- Clean produce with a soft cloth.
- Potatoes go green in light so keep them covered until the last minute.
When he came to talk to us in April, Peter Lockwood gave the following tips for showing:
Onions Dip the top and bottom into water, dry and dust with talcum powder. Before tying them, dampen the neck and remove talc with damp tissue.
Beetroot Put in a bucket of salted water to avoid white rings. (This may not be necessary these days as judges no longer cut them.)
Lastly a few things I learned the hard way!
- Read the schedule carefully – if it asks for five potatoes and you have six, you will be disqualified.
- Aim for all your exhibits in a class to be the same size.
- Runner beans should have a piece of stem left on.
- Tomatoes should have their calixes left on.
- Do not polish apples!
If you want to see how it’s done, there are several other village shows nearby this month:
16th August: East Coker, Mosterton, Crewkerne
25th August: Broadwindsor
Good Luck!
WEEDKILLER ALERT – Postscript
Further to the information given in the August Messenger, we are pleased to learn that the offending product has been taken off the market.
QUOTE
In these golden latter August days, Nature has come to a serene equilibrium. Having flowered and fruited, she is enjoying herself.
Charles Dudley Warner (1829-1900)
Please send contributions, news of events, questions, articles for the monthly newsletter to Rosemary Richards, Penn House, Hardington. Tel: 01935 862180.
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