News from Upchurch Horticultural Society

UHS held it’s Annual General Meeting on 01 Feb 2017 and elected Chris Spree as the new Chairman. Chris comes with a lot of horticultural experience and is a specialist in vegetable growing with a penchant for giant onions and carrots. So if you want to know how to grow onions the size of footballs then Chris is the man to talk to. The remainder of the meeting was spent discussing plans and initiatives for the year ahead which may see UHS developing closer associations with other local gardening clubs.

March is here and things are really getting going in the garden. We are at the mercy of the weather but it’s time to get the preparation work done when you can get outside. Grass grows at temperatures above 6°C so aim to complete the first cut this month. Set the blades high and just take the top off. When you can reach the borders give them a good tidy up, removing the weeds and leaves and lightly turning the soil with a handfork. The spring bulbs will then be shown at their best. Prune back any dead perennials and remove the old leaves from Hellebores.

Now is the time to order up plug plants and when they arrive get them potted up and in a sunny spot. Sow seeds in trays and pot on when you have a healthy pair of leaves. Hardy annual seed can go straight into the soil or simply scattered to allow nature to take it’s course. Perennials can be divided to increase the stock and woody old roots like Delphiniums can be lifted and the new growth separated and replanted. Bare root shrubs and roses can be planted out, but avoid replacing an old rose with a new one as it is unlikely to survive. Also March is a good time to plant summer flowering bulbs.

Prune roses except climbers which only need dead wood removed. Keep an eye on clematis and fucsia until there is clear evidence of buds and new growth. Pruning too early can kill the plant. Cut each clematis branch down to two new buds which will double the size of the plant each year. Fucsia can cope with hard pruning but best just to prune to size.

The vegetable patch needs digging over in March and apply a balanced general fertilizer. Try and get the early potatoes in by the end of the month which should be ready by early July once the flowers have fallen. It’s always advisable to buy seed potatoes from the National Seedstocks as they are guaranteed to be disease free. My favourite variety is Vales Emerald but I cannot get any this year so instead will try Rocket which is apparently the earliest of the earlies. Experimenting with varieties is all part of the fun so it’s a good idea to keep a record of all your vegetable varieties with sowing and harvest dates. Onion and shallot sets can go in as well.

We are always looking for new members and try to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables and flowers or even enter any of the 3 shows we hold each year, then please get in touch, we would be happy to hear from you.

If you are interested in becoming a new member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Rosey on: 01634 377812 (evenings) or Email: rosemary@ringwoodaccounting.co.uk

Sponsored by Upchurch River Valley Golf Club - www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society

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