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September has arrived and we transition from Summer into Autumn. The evenings are drawing in and evening temperatures are dropping, although daytime temperatures can remain warm with a chance of an Indian Summer. August turned out to be rather cool and wet which has been great for the lawn and borders which have hardly required watering but resulted in outbreaks of blight in tomatoes and potatoes. The Broad Bean crop was also affected by Chocolate Spot which is another fungal infection. The lawn has really benefited from a wet year and is looking green and lush. The bare parts have all been “scratched and patched” with Canada Green which has germinated well. It will now take a dry year to see how drought resistant it actually is. The new “Junkyard Mutt” who arrived in March is creating small bare patches in the lawn and discovered how easy it is to dig holes in the vegetable patch. However, everyone tells me how beautiful she is so I have forgiven her. September is the month to give the lawn a final weed and feed but with a low Nitrogen (N) feed with high Phosphate (P) and Potash (K), that will prepare it for the Winter. It can also be aerated with a garden fork. I am also going to break all the advice and take a final pick of Rhubarb that has excelled this year in the cool wet conditions. Continue taking vegetable crops and water climbing beans with a bit of Miracle Grow. Cut down the haulms of Maincrop Potatoes to avoid blight and thicken the skins before lifting. Squeeze Sweetcorn with a thumbnail and if the juice is milky it's ready to pick. Remember that Sweetcorn needs to be cooked or frozen as soon as it is picked or the flavour deteriorates very quickly. Place a bit of wood or a slate under pumpkins, squash and marrows to keep them off the soil and net brassica or else the birds will have them through the winter, Pigeons are very fond of Broccoli especially if snow is on the ground. The Turnips have germinated in the patch cleared after lifting the Broad Beans and are earmarked for Autumn casseroles along with the Parsnips that are looking particularly good this year. The borders are flowering well with plenty of blousy pink Phlox, Echinacea, Penstemons and other perennials combined with flowering shrubs. Keep deadheading to keep the blooms coming and then divide the clumps at the end of the month to produce more next year. Prune climbing roses if they are not repeat flowering and plant Spring bulbs although hold off on Tulips for now as planting them early exposes them to disease. Keep tidying and fertilising containers to get the most out of them. Phlox is a good border perennial, available in different colours. A lot of varieties of Apples and Pears will be ready for harvest, although Braeburns will be next month. Pears should be picked while still a bit hard and allowed to ripen indoors before Birds and Wasps make a meal of them. Give fruit trees a Phosphate feed to strengthen roots in Autumn before they become dormant. Our Summer excursions to village pubs continued with the George Inn in Newnham which is a good venue with a decent menu. I am also giving some thought to visiting the George and Dragon. I am looking forward to meeting George but feel a little apprehensive about the Dragon. UHS is 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 shows we hold each year, please get in touch. We would be happy to hear from you. Dr Supriya Das & Dr Lakshmi Subbiah The following was discussed at the last PPG meeting: There have been a number of staff changes over the last 6 months. Notably, the practice nurse Bonnie Olsen left in April and has been replaced by Kate Goldup. The practice has a 'Social Subscriber' now who will signpost patients to the relevant department. The main focus in Medway and Swale this year will be on diabetes, cardio issues and lung cancer. Practice programme Individual nurses are now responsible for the following new clinics at Maidstone Road and Upchurch surgeries: ECG’s - All nurses Wound Clinic (apart from ongoing leg ulcers ) - All nurses Mental Health - June East Diabetic Checkups - Amanda Epps Spirometry appointments are also available for patients with breathing difficulties. Nurses have returned to doing face to face appointments. Flu vaccination The practice is expected to receive vaccines in mid-September and the surgery WILL CONTACT PATIENTS to make an appointment. NB Please DO NOT telephone the surgery regarding your yearly flu jab, the surgery will contact you. Patients who are 'house bound' will also be contacted regarding their flu jab. Stay safe Ray Kemsley Hi Everyone, Bless you, Upchurch - a very good turnout once again. It was wonderful to receive your generous donations for Swale Foodbank and see your generosity overspill to helping the ten Afghan refugee families resettling in Ashford too. You filled our church with precious necessities for those who entered our country with nothing. “Dear friends Jane Davies from Hartlip has been in touch to thank everyone for the overwhelming generosity shown to the appeal for support for Ashford's Afghan refugee families. Because so much has been donated, there is no further need for donations at this point. We will let you know if any more is needed. Please do continue to hold the families and others caught up in this terrifying situation in your prayers, and, if you are able, consider donating to the appeals set up by major agencies involved in the humanitarian response. Every blessing Amanda Lane Associate Priest with The Six” There were three other pews like this! Ron and I will be collecting again at the bus stop opposite the Church in Horsham Lane on Wednesday the 13th of October between 10:30am and 11:30am. This will tie in with the new Cuppa and a Chat at St Mary's, which will also be on the 13th and will run between 10:00am and 12 midday. September's Cuppa and a Chat will be on Wednesday the 8th of September between 10:00am and 12 midday. God gives strength to those who are faint and weary. We are his heart, his hands and his feet. Thank you, and God bless you ❤️ Gill & Ron Gay 
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