Articles Written By Members and Associates

A Few Thoughts for the New Year.

Now that last year, with all its ups and downs, is behind us, I look forward to the forthcoming season with a great deal of hope and anticipation. As a society we are indeed fortunate to have such a thriving and vibrant membership who, alongside your committee, recently refurbished with two new pairs of keen hands, have already made their mark with the publication of the 1997 Year Book. I have had the privilege of a sneak preview and am pleased to report that I am very pleased with the layout and content; if we can get off to a start as good as this it must surely bode well for the rest of the year. The actual show schedule part of the Year Book is worth studying, for there are several new and exciting classes in which to enter, some of these are well suited to the novice grower. The new classes require little in the way of 'stopping', but will nevertheless produce large, stunning exhibits with the minimum amount of training. I fully expect the Four Corners meeting scheduled for March will enlighten those members who are still a little unsure of what is required.

I have always considered it a high priority that all new members be given the opportunity of attending two beginners' classes, independent of the regular monthly meetings held at Fourways. Many of our finest growers began their growing careers in this way, and over the years I have had a lot of favourable feed-back. I usually arrange two evening sessions in a room at Kinson Community Centre - where we hold our Annual Show. These evenings are strictly "hands on", which means I do the talking and you do all the work! There are no pretty colour slides, just good practical advice and demonstrations, followed by full audience participation. All the necessary plants and materials are provided: all you are asked to bring is a pair of nail scissors, marker pen and a sense of humour. The exact dates have not yet been finalised, but they will be printed in the Newsletter and I shall also announce them at the monthly meeting in January. It is strongly recommended that participants attend both sessions, as they follow on from one another. Members generally gain a great deal from these evenings - the small numbers present dispels inhibition, encouraging questions which under normal conditions at our main meetings would go unasked. It is not essential to own a greenhouse to benefit from these two sessions, there is information, guidance and advice imparted for all types of growing - so put your names down on the list and come along and enjoy yourselves. Sessions start at 7.30 pm sharp and finish at about 10 pm, with a "coffee break" about half way through. There is a subsidised bar at the centre, so I like to finish a little early if possible!

There are several projects in hand for this year in addition to our own show. Details will be regularly relayed at the monthly meetings and through the medium of the Newsletter. One idea of special note will hopefully be a society display at one of the major regional shows. I am personally looking forward to this innovative scheme which will surely help to reinforce our position as one of the premier societies in the south of England.

In closing ....... start to prepare for next season now. Prepare your greenhouses, clean them out, refresh propagators with clean sand. Check the electric's, replace any broken panes of glass and ensure your water butts are emptied of the residue from last year's algaeous muck. Replenish stocks of chemicals, fertilisers, composts and all the other paraphernalia we find so essential! Ensure you have plenty of the right size pots, for there is nothing more frustrating than running out of the correct size container when needed. Check the gardening press for nurseries who supply a catalogue; on receipt, mark out your "winners". Mail order plants have come a long way over the past few years and offer a wide choice for the discerning grower. Send your orders off early, build up a rapport with your chosen nurseryman and be assured of the cuttings of your choice. Personal visits do, of course, have the advantage that you are able to select at first hand, but then again, it is so tempting to purchase just one or two extras, especially those with attractive names, and maybe, just maybe, we buy more than we need - and then find in April that we have run out of space!

AF (member)
First published in the January 1997 News Letter