Stowe Village Produce Guild – Garden Guild

Our November talk, Christmas Gifts for Gardeners was entertaining and helpful. Gerald Ingram had formed Planters Garden Centre 35 years ago. He now has 4 outlets, Bretby, Tamworth + two recently opened. He is very concerned about people's well being, and is closely involved with the charity Perennial Gardeners Royal Benevolent Society and will be giving his fee to them. Gerald's talk covered many of the objects sold in his centres, bird feeders of all sorts – squirrel safe and many sorts of solar lights, bulbs, seeds (particularly for children). He gave careful instruction and hints on how to use his many items (eg. long handled loppers are very difficult to use – shorter handles are safer. very friendly and informative evening.

The December talk on Propagation by Harry Delaney, a very experienced gardener and teacher, gave us good advice about the tools we use.

He reminded us that heavy rainfall washes out nitrogen from the soil, it needs replacing, particularly important for vegetables.

He showed different ways to propagate, including slicing up a daffodil bulb, putting it in damp vermiculite, keeping it warm for several months, in a few years time you will have a blooming daffodil true to it's parent. A really practical talk.

Next meetings:

February 21st AGM and Bulb Show

March 19th Phillippa Cooper on Sweet Peas

We meet at 7-30pm every third Wednesday of the month with guest speakers, competitions, refreshments and a sales table.

Visitors are always welcome.