Latest Society News & Events 2026
Take a look at what the society did in 2025
January 2026 News
Hope you all had an amazing Christmas and all the committee would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy, prosperous new year, may all your blooms and vegetables be big ones!
With the new year comes responsibilities, the first of which, for you is to attend your societies AGM which is scheduled to take place on 14 January, as you are already aware, at Barham Village hall. 7.00pm kick off, formalities out the way, the committee would like to share with you, a welcome in the new year glass of wine or soft drink and some nibbles.
In addition for your entertainment there will be an optional fun quiz at the AGM and 2 competitions, one for best posy, the other for best vase of flowers and foliage, both displays from your own garden.
There will also be the usual raffle, any prize donations on the night extremely welcome.
The committee value and welcome your input and you as members can shape the way the society evolves, we welcome ideas, thoughts and suggestions. The AGM is a way of putting your wishes forward, therefore it would be wonderful if you could attend.
We are actively seeking new members for 2026, so tell family, friends and associates all about us. Membership is just £10 per person for the year, with the added benefits and to include, talks and trips (some at extra cost), as well as discounts for Suttons and Thompson and Morgan seeds and plants and Friendly Farmer soil conditioner/manure.
Best of all membership also gives discounts at some local garden centres, which for 2026 will be Ripley's, Wingham Market and The Fifth Trust.
January 2026 Gardening notes
Happy new year. I hope you got out in your garden at some point over the festive season. There should be signs of spring, snowdrops, crocus and daffs amongst others peeping through the soil. Won't be long before the first flowers appear and our spirits are lifted towards the coming year. How fortunate we are not to have to wait long before each season gently transitions into the next one.
It's a good time to start gently preparing for spring. Now herbaceous plants have died back weeds are easier to see. Time spent weeding now will make a big difference to the borders later in summer. If the ground is very wet, avoid walking on it if you can. Sort through the shed and greenhouse, throw out rubbish, clean windows and get seed trays or pots ready for sowing.
There are some seeds to be planted now- especially if you have a propagator. Tomatoes come to mind as they benefit from an early start. However be cautious, they are tender and need to be kept frost free. As always look at the seed packet for sowing times, be mindful of the temperature listed, if its too cold for that seed type to germinate it will just sit there, so you may as well wait and plant it later (or invest in a propagator).
By the end of Feb wisteria side stems should be cut back to two buds. Clematis which flower in the summer can be cut back late this month or Feb, leave the spring flowering ones until after flowering or you will cut off this years flowers. Free standing apples and pears are pruned during winter as are grapevines and roses, see the RHS website for details.
If you are lucky enough to have a pond scoop out any leaves which have fallen in. When they rot they use oxygen and provide nutrients for algae to grow.
How are your patio pots looking, have they turned soggy. If so there should be pots of bulbs at the garden centres. You may also find discounted plants from Christmas. Perhaps some rosemary plants added for structure and some small daffs.
Don't forget wildlife. Clean out bird feeders and ensure fresh water is available. The black birds would love those apples which have gone wrinkly or left over dry fruit cake. Be careful not to put too much out at once to avoid it going bad or attracting rats.
Spring will be here soon, enjoy the anticipation.
Wednesday 18th