CLWB GARDDIO RHYDLEWIS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB: Trees, Bees and St David's Daffodils!

WELCOME

Welcome to our Gardening Club Rhydlewis and District Gardening Club has been around since the time of Adam and Eve. In fact, it is believed that one of our members planted and tended the very apple tree that gave rise to the pair being expelled from the garden!!

Whether this urban myth is true or not, the club is here to encourage, improve and extend the members' knowledge of all branches of horticulture. It is open to everyone and new members are all always welcome to come along.

Our activities during the year include a varied programme of talks and social events, summer garden visits, a plant sale, social gatherings/bbq and an annual open show in August.

Friday, 1 March 2024

Trees, Bees and St David's Daffodils!

Hello all gardeners in the Rhydlewis district

and a happy St Davids day to you al!

Firstly, here's an update from our Chairperson's Garden.

Well February has been a little wet and I would imagine most of you have had a chance of doing much in the garden other than swimming.

The talk on the 27^th February was well supported, and Paul Toft gave an interesting and insightful discussion on trees in our gardens.

The seed swap table went well and is something we are planning to do every meeting. We also plan to run these at community cafe so if anyone has seeds they can donate to encourage some others to get in to gardening that would be a great help.

I am also looking to do a plant sale for the gardening club on the April 13^th at the community cafe so if anyone has any plant they can donate to help this would be great . please let me know.

I myself have been starting to sow some seeds chillies, peppers, aubergines, onions, spring onions beetroot dispite the colder weather they seem to be doing okay.

Jobs for march

Tidy the veg plots up ready for the impending planting

sowing

cauliflowers

red cabbage

peas

tomatoes

celery

parsnips

shallots

potatoes and carrots at the end of the month

Keep well and if anyone has any question please let me know

Thanks Paul, that's quite a lot to keep us going, especially as our gardens might be lying under a blanket of unexpected snow this morning!

You can contact Paul via the Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1205516119526419

Having checked the greenhouse, I came into get warm and enjoyed a video on identifying bumblebees. In our garden, we have lots of bee residents and visitors, and almost always these are bumbles, not honeybees. This YouTube video isn't long, but you can get more information, including wall charts, from the charity. Go to https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/identify-a-bumblebee/.

The next meeting is the Spring Show, 31st March 2024. Check your bulbs in pots; the skill is to keep them budding until the flower just before the show!

And now is the time to start on some handicraft or other, ready to submit for the Handicraft entries. There's plenty of arts and crafts to choose from this year, so pick one or two of the ideas and enjoy working on them in front of a blazing fire. Better than telly!

Directly below is the show schedule, which you can work and plan from. The schedule is also downloadable if you click on the link at the top of the page. Below the schedule you will find the hints and tips that will allow you to present your very best plants, flowers, arts and homecrafts for staging on the day.

CLWB GARDDIO RHYDLEWIS A’R CYLCH

RHYDLEWIS AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

SPRING SHOW TUESDAY 31st MARCH 2024

RHYDLEWIS VILLAGE HALL

STAGING FROM 3.00pm UNTIL 5.00pm

SHOW OPENS AT 7.30pm

RAFFLE AND REFRESHMENTS

(Donations for raffle greatly appreciated)

AUCTION OF DONATED EXHIBITS

Read on for further information, especially on how to 'show' your contributions;

FLOWERS

Single Daffodil - 3 blooms, 1 variety, all yellow (Div 1)

Single Daffodil - 3 blooms, 1 variety (Div 1)

Large or small-cupped Narcissus - 3 blooms, one variety (Divs 2 and 3)

Double Narcissus (including Daffodils) - 3 stems, one variety (Div 4)

Narcissus - any other - 3 stems, 1 variety (Divs 5 to 12)

Bowl or pot of Bulbs in Bloom - any one variety

Vase of Spring Flowers - not more than 6 varieties

Tulips - 3 stems, one variety

Camellia - 1 bloom

Flowering Plant in a pot - under 24ins (60cms) high, including pot

Flowering Tree or Shrub - cut spray from one variety

Dish of Floating Hellebore Heads

A posy of Primula (including primrose, polyanthus, cowslip etc.)

A Vase/Container of Decorative Foliage – not more than 8 varieties

CLUB MEMBERS ONLY

A pot of Jetfire Narcissi, grown from bulbs supplied last autumn

FLORAL ART

A table centrepiece incorporating at least one candle - not to exceed 12ins (30cms) overall

A floral basket arrangement entitled, ‘Happy Birthday’ - size optional

(Categories 16 and 17 can include non-plant accessories, fruit, vegetables and purchased plant items)

ART, CRAFT & PHOTOGRAPHY

Fascinator any material natural or artificial

‘A Snow Scene’ - a photograph not exceeding 12 x 18ins (30 x 46cms) – can be framed, mounted or unmounted

‘A Snow Scene’ A Painting in any medium Not exceeding 12 x 18ins (30 x 46cms) – can be framed, mounted or unmounted

Decorated egg (any size, any medium)

Handmade farm animal (any medium, any size)

A Face mask made from a Paper Plate

A wedding invitation card

HOMECRAFT

4 Jam Tarts

4 Hot Cross Buns

A Filled Chocolate Sponge Cake

Bowl of homemade Fudge cut into pieces

Most Creative Jelly

A Jar of Curd

A Jar of Marmalade

Entry Fees

Members of Rhydlewis Gardening Club & Children under 12 – Free

Non- Members of Rhydlewis Gardening Club – £1 flat fee regardless of how many entries

ADVICE

Display each entry to it's best within the guidelines Follow the guidelines for size and number very carefully to avoid disqualification.

FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

Flowers and other arrangement items can be purchased or home-grown. Follow the height and/or width rules carefully. Be sure to reflect the theme. Judging will focus on the aesthetic of the arrangement and quality of the natural ‘ingredients’.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

Display each entry to i's best within the guidelines

Follow the guidelines for size and number very carefully to avoid disqualification.

Ensure the art and craft items are newly made, preferably especially for the show.

CHILDREN'S ENTRIES.

We encourage children's exhibits in all classes, but the child must have been actively involve in the growing or making of the exhibit in the 60 day period mention above (where appropriate). Children's entries will be judged alongside without favour, but there will be a small 'prize' for all under 15 entries.

HOMECRAFTS

Jar of Marmalade/Curd –– any fruit in a one lb jar. Seal with paper seal and a cellophane cover and rubber band. No lids. Labelling: only the contents of the jar should be on the label (i.e. SEVILLE MARMALADE)

All cakes, sweets, etc: choose your own recipe to be judged alongside others. Display prettily on your own chinaware (although plates and dishes are available from the kitchen area)

BRINGING YOUR EXHIBITS TO BE STAGED

Bring your exhibits ready to be staged during STAGING FROM 3.00pm UNTIL 5.00pm

There's a side table you can 'dump' your exhibits on while putting them in the correct places.

See the show secretary (just inside the door ) to book in prior to staging your exhibits.

There will be help from stewards with the exhibiting.

The hall will be cleared at 5 pm prompt to allow judging to commence.

Exhibitors are then allowed in with general public at 7.30pm

Good Luck Everyone – look forward to seeing you on the day!

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PAST WINNERS AT THE RHYDLEWIS GARDENING CLUB PRODUCE SHOW

2024 SPRING SHOW Winner of the most points in classes 1-17, AND Best exhibit in Classes 1-14 Jane Soltys Artisan Award for most points in Classes 18-31 was a draw between Jane Soltys and Sophie Heath The Pam Hufferdine Trophy 1st. Jim Milton 2019 -- The prize winners were; Vegetable Challenge Cup – Janette Sharman; Floral Challenge Cup – Janette Sharman and Sara Redman; Homecraft Shield – Sara O’Conner; Best Onions Shield – Carrie Davies Best Exhibit in Vegetables and Fruit – Janette Sharman. 2018 --The prize winners were; Vegetable Challenge Cup -Jannette Sharman; Floral Challenge Cup – Kevin Myerscough; Homecraft Shield – Cindy Ackerman and Sara Redman; Roses Shield – Sara Redman; Best Onions Shield – Carrie Davies, Best Exhibit in Vegetables and Fruit – Jannette Sharman. 2016 --- vegetable Challenge Cup - JANETTE SHARMAN floral cup - DILYS DAVIES Rose Shield - SARA REDMAN D&G Williams Shield - Most points in the Homecraft classes - VICKY WADE JT Memorial Shield - Best exhibit in class 10 - 3 cooking onions - CARRIE DAVIES 2015 -- Challenge Cup (most points gained in vegetable and fruit classes) Janette Sharman, Rhydlewis. Floral Prize (most points gained in the floral classes) Jenny Archibald, Newcastle Emlyn. Roses Shield for class 33 Marg Fogg, Tregroes. D & G Williams Shield (most points gained in homecraft section) Vicky Wade, Brongest. 2014 -- Vegetable and floral Challenge Cups,Janette Sharman Roses Shield and the D&G Williams Shield, Pam Evens and

RECIPIES

Have you got a recipe you use to take care of the gluts of veg, fruit, even flowers, in the garden? We already have ideas which range from chocolate beetroot cake, courgette tea loaf and broad been humus. If you have a recipe you'd like to share with the club, please type it out and hand to Liz Blackler or send as an attachment to liz_blackler@hotmail.com.

Liz is going to collate our recipe collection so that at every meeting (but especially during harvest time!) we can take home a new idea for enjoying our fruit and veg abundance.

RHYDLEWIS GARDENING TIPS

ROSES

Richard came from Farmyard Nurseries to give some secrets on growing roses in West Wales.

His top tip was; avoid tea and floribunda, which will ball up every time it rains and go for classifications that will survive; Rosa Rugosa, Bourbon and ramblers, rather than climbers.

SEEDS

Speaker Malcolm Berry gave a great talk on saving seeds in January 2014. His top tips for seed propagation are;

1/ Never try to save F1 seeds; the strain is too weak

2/ Start with easy veg seeds, like beans and peas, which you can leave on the vine until they're dry

3/Dry seeds in air (use muslin bags)

4/ Store in an airtight container with a silicone bag (or dried rice) to take away moisture

5/ Store in a cool dry dark environment (he recommends your fridge!)

7/ Do a 'control' test of ten seeds on damp kitchen roll to find your percentage germination

PESTS

New member Vicky has a great tip to help control slugs; using old plastic pots or jam jars, add sugar and a pinch of dried yeast to a slurp of orange juice or beer and sink the pot into the earth near your precious plants. The slugs happily make their slimy way towards the pub, and 'drop' in for a drink! Change daily, and works most effectively on rainy days and if recharged at dusk.

TOOLS

Jilly Hollins, of Waun LLan, recommends you always carry a pair of secateurs about your person, so that you never 'tear or break' when you spot a plant that needs a trim or a dead-head

PESTS

Mothballs, crumbled and complete covered by soil/bulb fibre, will keep mice away from your tulip bulbs.

TOOLS

Jilly also has a money-saving tip for flower-arrangers; search the charity shops for pretty vessels, such as teapots and ramekins. Then, if you want to offer your arrangement as a gift, you won't need to have the pot back

PESTS

Slugs hate ash, so if you light a fire, use the clearings around your precious plants to keep them off. We know they also hate coffee grounds, etc, but ash is often available in larger quantities!

FRUIT

Ash is also a renown source of potash, so most people use it under their fruit trees and soft fruit buses.

PESTS

Monty Don recommends a humane treatment for moles and their hills...Moles cause a huge amount of damage...but I like moles. I think that they are beautiful. I always hate it when the cats catch them...because they seem such harmless, special animals - in the same catagory as otters, badgers or field mice. Monty says the molehills make good potting compost - we've already discovered that trick - and that although the desecration might feel vast it is usually only one mole in spring at mating time as they are otherwise solitary animals...I refuse to trap them...I think the only solution is to live and let tunnel...(he says inThe Complete Gardiner...Moles cause a huge amount of damage...but I like moles. I think that they are beautiful. I always hate it when the cats catch them...because they seem such harmless, special animals - in the same catagory as otters, badgers or field mice. Monty says the molehills make good potting compost - we've already discovered that trick - and that although the desecration might feel vast it is usually only one mole in spring at mating time as they are otherwise solitary animals...I refuse to trap them...I think the only solution is to live and let tunnel...he says inThe Complete Gardiner...Moles cause a huge amount of damage...but I like moles. I think that they are beautiful. I always hate it when the cats catch them...because they seem such harmless, special animals - in the same catagory as otters, badgers or field mice. Monty says the molehills make good potting compost - we've already discovered that trick - and that although the desecration might feel vast it is usually only one mole in spring at mating time as they are otherwise solitary animals...I refuse to trap them...I think the only solution is to live and let tunnel...(The Complete Gardener)

MEMBER'S POSTS

Grass-free lawn opens in London park

A floral, scented lawn, planted in a west London park provides a better habitat for pollinating insects than traditional grass, according to researchers.

The grass-free lawn, which is believed to be the first in a public park, was the brainchild of PhD researcher Lionel Smith from the University of Reading and was commissioned for the park by Kensington and Chelsea council.

Mr Smith told BBC News how he devised the lawn and explains that its plants, which include daisies red-flowering clover, thyme, chamomile, pennyroyal and Corsican mint, create a "pollinator-friendly patchwork" - with 25% more insect life than that found in "traditionally managed grass lawns".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22846419

Grass Free Lawns Revisited

Richard and Susan Edmunds are creating a small grass free lawn at their house Tir-y-c-coed in Pontgarreg. If you're intrigued, go the the grass free lawns website below.

Richard has been on the lookout for suitable plants to mow at approx 3" height and traveled down to...

Moorland Cottage Plants.

We are a small hardy plant nursery and garden located in the upland region of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, positioned at 700 feet above sea level on the wild, northern slopes of the Preseli mountains, an area famous for its Neolithic monuments and remains of iron/bronze age settlements. The nursery and garden both offer magnificent views over the vast open hillsides, moorland and the acid bog below.

The nursery and garden have featured in the national gardening press and have received coverage on both national and local television.

Address: Moorland Cottage Plants, Rhyd y Groes, Brynberian, Crymych, Pembrokeshire, SA41 3TT Telephone: 01239 891363

Contact: Jennifer Matthews

10.30-5.30 daily except WednesdaysPlant Nursery Opening Times

March 1^st to September 30^th

10.30-4.30 daily except WednesdaysGarden Opening Times

Mid May to September 30^th

http://www.grassfreelawns.co.uk/links.html

Garden to Visit

Local Garden Centres and Nurseries

Farmyard Nurseries, Llandysul - 01559 363 389 - email: richard@farmyard nurseries.co.uk
Farmyard Nurseries specialise in a wide range of unusual plants especially hellebores, herbaceous and perennial plants, shrubs, trees and alpines

Trefhedyn Garden Centre - Newcastle Emlyn -
Wide range of plants, shrubs and trees, pots and garden containers, gardening equipment. When you go there tell Roger to get his website up and running so we can link to it!!

Penrallt Garden Centre and Nurseries - Moylegrove Cardigan - 01239 881 295
Set in 70 acres of farmland, woodland and coastal walks, the 3-acre nursery site has a vast area of glasshouses and tunnels - providing the ideal conditions for the enormous range of home-grown plants.

Gwynfor Growers - Pontgarreg nr Llangrannog - 01239 654 151
The nursery has a good range of herbaceous perennials, scented shrubs, climbers, and herbs. Many are unusual or rare. Plants for exposed sites, damp and shady places, and dry and sunny coastal gardens.

Penlan Perennials Nursery - Llandysul - 01239 711 102
Penlan Perennials is a specialist peat free nursery, propagating and growing over 750 choice plants for the eco-conscious gardener.

Saflora Plants, Lampeter - 01570 422 924 - email: nursery@safloraplants.com
Mail order nursery specialising in plants and seeds from South Africa and Australia, in particular the protea and amaryllis plant families - Not open to the public - shop online.

Dyffryn Gwyddno Nursery, Narberth, Pembrokeshire - 01834 861684
Produces and sells its own Pembrokeshire bamboos and a range of other unusual plants - hardy and exotic.

Carmarthen Tree Nursery, Carmarthenshire - 01267 275 254
Quality cell-grown seedlings, grown in West Wales using British seed - specialises in local provenance seedlings.

Local Garden Clubs and Societies

Hardy Plant Society Email: hpswestwales@zoomshare.com
Programme and News. All talks at Trinity Church Community Hall, Church Street, Newcastle Emlyn.
Pentrecwrt & District Garden & Countryside Club, Llandysul - 01559 362 975 Email: mail@rogerwgadams.idps.co.uk
Pentrecwrt & District Garden and Countryside Club has 40 members and meets in the village hall each month on the third Tuesday at 7.30PM.

National institutions

Organic growing

Plants

Help & Advice

Garden wildlife

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Friday, 1 March 2024

Trees, Bees and St David's Daffodils!

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