Latest Society News & Events 2025
Take a look at what the society did in 2024
Trips by Private Car
We now have to charge non members an extra £2 per person to join us for the day of the trip. This is to ensure cover by our insurance.
Please pay on booking and forms will be distributed to complete name/ address on the day of the trip.
News Update April 2025
Gardens and gardeners are stirring and we are at last seeing a bit of sun although temperatures are very low. Snowdrops, hellebores and daffodils are telling us that spring is coming.
On 12 February Laura Brady from The Wonky Parsnip gave a talk to the Society. Laura has created a specialist market garden business, it started on a 3-acre site at Chartham and she has now taken on 15 acres at Brogdale, near Faversham. She focusses on growing heritage and exotic vegetables, herbs and edible flowers and supplies farm shops and restaurants. Skinny rainbow carrots, purple potatoes, Cuca melons, baby courgette, Tomatina a limey flavoured tomato, Chioggia beetroot to name but a few. Electric daisies with small button heads that have a numbing effect in the mouth are used in sorbets and cocktails. Laura works a rotation system with the land divided into 4 sections one for each season. In July we have a car trip to Laura's farm arranged by then the land will be in full production.
Laura graduated from Harper Adams agricultural college and has travelled extensively finding unusual ingredients that she can grow in the UK. Her career started by working for large scale vegetable producers supplying supermarkets. She shocked us with the revelation that some vegetables are harvested and then stored for up to 6 months to ensure continuous supply. Sadly, the supermarkets prioritise shelf life, cost and appearance ahead of nutrition and taste. The vegetables grown by Laura are both organic and full of flavour and can be enjoyed via the vegetable boxes she produces. She also holds plant sales with the next one taking place during the Brogdale Easter festival on 18th, 19th and 20th April.
On Wednesday 9 April at 7.30pm Rachel Castle from Swallowfields Nursery returns to talk about the history and cultivation of Primula Auriculars. This will be followed by our popular annual Plant Sale at Barham Village Hall on Saturday 26th April. The plant sale starts at 10.30am. If you are dividing herbaceous plants or have rooted cuttings, fruit or vegetables plants to spare please bring your donations to the hall between 8.30 and 10.00am. We look forward to seeing you there.
Gardening notes for April 2025
Finally, growth is more consistent and frost a rare threat. Enjoy the sunshine and dodge the showers is the way to go.
Early flowering shrubs should be pruned immediately after flowering. Remove dead and crossing branches first, then prune according to the species usually removing some older branches and those growing in the wrong direction. Remember to prune above a bud with a cut sloping away from that bud. The new branch will grow in the direction the bud is facing.
Seed potatoes should be in now, draw soil over the shoots as they grow (earthing up). Tender veg like beans can be planted indoors, wait until May to plant direct outside. Why not try home grown leeks, they are lovely harvested small and cooked in cheese or white sauce. Plant seeds into plugs or pots now, plant out into a veg plot when big enough to handle easily. Plant so they are deeper than in the pot to maximise the white section. Many crops are best planted little and often lettuce, beetroot and carrots for example. There are some varieties particularly suitable for container growing, look out for the information on the seed packets.
If you have a new bed to fill, annual seeds can give beautiful and economical colour. Cornflowers, poppies, candytuft, marigolds, Californian poppies are all reliable in a sunny position.
Did you get round to mulching beds, it will help with weed suppression and retaining water. If you can't mulch the whole bed, target roses, shrubs and your veg patch.
It's a busy time for wildlife with the breeding season in full swing. Birds will benefit from food and water for washing and drinking. Hedgehogs would love some meaty cat or dog food.
If you have a suitable space, putting in a pond would be amazing for wildlife and give you a restful spot to watch dragonflies and frogs. Do make sure its safe for any children and give easy access to ensure no drowned wildlife.
Its nice to plan some colourful pots for near the house, lilies can be beautiful and scented, or maybe some shorter single dahlias for late summer colour. Choose plants to match your site and the time you have. Fuchsias are happy with some shade, lavender needs full sun. To reduce time watering choose drought resistant plants and larger pots which hold more moisture.
April is a busy month, the garden growing before your eyes, so do take time just to sit and watch spring unfurl.
News Update March 2025
In February around 60 enthusiastic gardeners welcomed back the ever popular Steve Edney of The No Name Nursery. Steve works with the Royal Horticultural Society on plant trials and chairs the Herbaceous Plant Committee. Last year Steve and his partner carried out 61 talks around the UK, Europe and Ireland, won a coveted gold medal at Chelsea and a Cultural Commendation Certification awarded by their peers. Talking about Drought Tolerant Plants may seem a little strange in February but spring is only round the corner. Steve explained that in reality he is talking about the dry, and hot, Summer garden in this country, because these plants also have to contend with the British winter and you could get led astray into planting species from around the world that might succumb to the winter wet. Steve illustrated his talk with slides of the plants in his long border at home, of the border he recently created at Canterbury Cathedral and pictures of the species of plants he has grown and recommended, many varieties new to the audience. Pencils and notebooks were much in evidence. Talk inevitably turned to Snowdrops and the amazing prices special bulbs can fetch, the most ever paid for one bulb being £1850!
On Wednesday 12 March our next guest speaker will be Laura Brady from The Wonky Parsnip. The Wonky Parsnip is a small farm sited at Brogdale, specialising in weird and wonderful fruit and vegetable production. Laura will give an illustrated talk about their work at the Wonky Parsnip, what they grow and how they grow it. After hearing all about their remarkable business there is an opportunity to see what they do on our organised trip on Friday 4th July. Booking details in our programme and on the website.
Our annual coach trip is on Wednesday 28th May when we will be travelling to RHS Wisley, where you will be able to spend the whole day exploring this hub of horticultural excellence. With 240 acres, the gardens offer something for everyone. To book your place complete the form in your annual programme or on our Website. Non-members are welcome for an additional £5.00.
We hope you are all getting ready for our popular Plant Sale at Barham Village Hall, on Saturday 26th April. We always welcome any spare plants or vegetable seedlings you may have and would like to donate to our sale.
Gardening notes for March 2025
As I write it's turned cold and wet and spring seems a long way off. However if you venture outside you can see the first spring flowers and the buds are swelling. If you don't have many spring flowers make a note to add some bulbs in the autumn. March is a time of hope and new beginnings so wrap up warm and get outside for a potter. Its time to clear the old stems of perennials before the new shoots get tangled in the old. Make sure you dig up any perennial weeds as you clear.
Bare root perennials and dahlias will be available in the garden centres, DIY stores and some bargain superstores. Look for packs with no growth and no signs of mould. Its not always easy to see so there is some risk. There is also the chance that the flowers may not be the colour on the pack. These bare root plants can be a cheaper way of filling your garden with colour so I think are worth trying. I have had good success growing peonies from bare roots, potting them up so they can make strong growth before I put them into the border.
Its also a time to finish the pruning of roses and clematis and free standing apples and pears.
Many seeds can be sown this month but take it steady, if you sow before the germination temperature is reached you will be waiting longer and the seeds may rot if they are too wet.
Birds will be nesting this month, if you have a pet why not put out the fur from grooming, the chicks will be kept extra snug with a fur lined nest.
If you have a veg plot its worth making a plan so you know what you can fit into the space and when you need to plant seeds either indoors or into the ground. Don't forget that some veg need protection from frost so don't be too keen to plant them out. All the information you need should be on the seed packet.
Look out for early bees and see what flowers they are feeding on, no bee friendly flowers in your garden? Add some crocus or one of the many spring flowering shrubs, choose one with the perfect for pollinators symbol.
Later in March it should be dry enough for the first lawn cut of the season, the smell of cut grass reminds me of summer days.
News Update February 2025
On the 8th January the horticultural society held it's AGM, the evening started with the usual business of an AGM. We then had a lovely social time with a quiz, a raffle some light refreshments and of course a competition for spring posies.
The society has a great range of activities planned for the year. Talks are included in your membership of £7 along with some discounts.
Below are some of the upcoming events. Talks are mainly at Barham village Hall starting 7.30pm. See the Calendar of events for details.
We would love to welcome new members, no gardening knowledge required. Details and membership form can be found here.
If you are already a society member it would be extremely helpful to our committee if you renew your membership as soon as possible. Also once renewed please come along to our next talk to collect your membership card and program (even if you can't stay for the talk).
Visitors are welcome to come along to talks for the small payment of £2.
Gardening notes for February 2025
As I write it has turned very cold which is expected for February too. I hope you had fleeced vulnerable plants or moved them into a frost free place. There's a positive side to a cold snap, it will kill off some of the pests and give us an excuse to spend time indoors perusing the seed catalogues. If you are a member of the horticultural society you get 50% off Suttons seeds.
The gardening year starts into gear this month, with seeds sorted, purchased and a sowing plan made. Early sowings in a propagator or on a bright and warm windowsill. Tomatoes and aubergines need a long growing season, there are others which can be planted now- check the back of the packet.
Plug plants are another way to add colour more economically, remember that they need space, light and for many no exposure to frost.
There is pruning to be done this month, roses and free standing apples and pears and many other fruits – but not stone fruits such as plums. Consult the RHS website or a gardening book. The basic rule is remove dead, diseased, damaged and crossing branches first and then prune to encourage flowers/fruit according to the plant type. Winter pruning should ideally be finished before the plants start to grow. Always make the pruning cut with sharp bladed secateurs just above a bud. Cut above a bud facing in the direction you would like the new stem to grow to control the shape of the plant. Its also time to prune climbers, wisteria stems pruned in the summer should now be pruned to 2 buds to encourage flowering, summer flowering clematis should be pruned now, the later your variety flowers the harder its pruned, again consult RHS or a book. Spring flowering clematis need little pruning, follow the rule for spring flowering shrubs to prune immediately after flowering.
Mulch plants to provide food and lock in moisture, prioritise new, struggling or prized plants. Mulching roses will reduce black spot.
Have you got all your hedges trimmed ready for spring and the start of the nesting season?
Check birds boxes are secure and clean of old nesting material, which may harbour pests. Continue to provide food and water, their small size means birds lose heat quickly and need calories. Think about also providing natural food, seeds and berries, having ground cover (plants, mulch or leaves) giving home to insects.
Above all enjoy any bright days, they are a promise of spring.
News Update January 2025
The final talk of the year was given by Jo Arnell on Autumn and Winter Shrubs / Structure in the Winter Garden. Jo encouraged us to think carefully about the attributes of a plant before purchase; she told us that she "interviews" prospective plants asking them if they fit at least three of her criteria, these might be shape, size, seasonal colour, fragrance etc. It was an entertaining evening and despite being a cold dark winter's night attendance was good.
The Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held on Wednesday 8 January 2025 at 7.00pm at Barham Village Hall. Light refreshments will be provided after the formal business concludes. The AGM is also an opportunity to renew your membership for 2025. If you are not a member you can apply using the Online membership form. Individual membership is £7 and family membership is £14. In addition to a full calendar of events membership provides a discount on seed purchases from Suttons and a discount on plant purchases at local garden centres. If you cannot attend the AGM subscriptions can be paid online to our bank account. Details are provided in this year's programme.
The first event of 2025 is a talk by Steve Edney on Drought Tolerant Plants. This is taking place at 7.00pm on Tuesday 12h February at Barham Village Hall.
Gardening notes for January 2025
Happy New year.
Hopefully you had gardening successes in 2024 and maybe have lessons learnt. I am definitely going to keep on top of weeding- little and often, oh and do more succession planting. Although I think I may have said that before.
January can be a deary month, making plans for spring can make it seem closer. On bright days a walk round your plot observing what is starting to bud. Enjoying winter colour and scent can remind us that a garden can be enjoyed year round- just add extra clothes!
Many gardens open to the public will have areas focused on winter colour, hardy cyclamen coum, winter flowering heather (more tolerant of alkalinity than their summer flowering cousins) are commonly planted. Snowdrops and aconites will be flowering soon. Many of the shrubs flowering now are scented to attract insects. Its not just flowers which can lift the spirits. Think of the dog wood midwinter fire or the trunks of silver birch lit up with a low winter sun. In a smaller garden ornamental grasses such as miscanthus are bleached a lovely oatmeal colour and look beautiful in winter sun or caressed by gentle breezes.
There's still work to be done, raking leaves off the lawn can keep you warm and save the lawn turning to mud. Remove perennial weeds such as brambles, but minimise walking on borders to avoid compacting wet soil. Check ties on trees and climbers making sure they are secure without constricting. Brush snow off conifers to prevent damage. Although the yew hedges at Walmer Castle famously have snow damage to thank for their interesting shape. Leave perennial stems standing, they provide winter structure for us, habitat for insects and potentially seed for birds.
Remember wet and cold kills more plants than cold alone so go easy on watering in green houses or cold frames. Keep some horticultural fleece handy to protect vulnerable plants during cold snaps.
If you have a propagator, you can get ahead with seed sowing for those plants benefiting from a long growing season such as tomatoes or just to get earlier flowers/crop. Don't forget tender plants will need continued protection, so curb the desire to plant too much.
Keep bird baths and feeders topped up- remember to clean both, the density of birds using them can cause a build up of harmful microbes.
Its not a busy month in the garden, so enjoy the time to observe and plan. It will get busy soon enough.
Saturday