We are becoming increasingly used to changes in our climate which frequently undermine our best efforts to till the soil and enjoy the results. Our aubergines have been a striking example. They were planted in 20cm pots, in good rich soil-based compost, fed and watered regularly – but not too much – all snug and warm in the polytunnel, and what happened? Strong, well – grown plants with several glossy aubergines near the base, then, a lot of dead blossoms higher up, followed by some tiny new, pea-sized aubergines. It didn’t take a Sherlock Holmes to discover the probable cause. Adopting his methods, we deduce that the plants first experienced ideal weather and temperature during the early period – hence the well-grown fruits at the bottom of the plants. The withered blossoms higher up the stems showed the plants were now under extreme heat stress. Finally, the baby aubergines at the top showed they were able to set as the temperature cooled again. The keen-eyed sleuth would reinforce his theory by pointing to the fact that we’d had an exceptionally good crop of peppers and chillies, which originate in Mexico and South America and therefore, unlike aubergines, revel in as much heat as they can get. My Sherlock was an adviser for the RHS, who said that he’d had a similar problem in his polytunnel and had solved it by draping a large duvet cover over the tunnel in periods of extreme heat. Useful tip, assuming he knows what he was talking about. Continue reading “Ken Mines’ H D Garden Page – September”
Horticultural Society Show a Blooming Success
Although the number of categories were reduced this year the Horticultural Society members put on a wonderful exhibition of village gardening and crafts.
the usual delicious variety of cakes and other refreshments were available.
The show was well attended despite Covid and the awful weather!
Watch this space for a list of the trophy winners.
Horticultural Society Annual Show 2021
It’s tomorrow!!!!!
Horticultural Society Annual Show 2021
All of our village clubs and societies need some local support during these strange times. Please come along even if you are not entering any categories to see the exhibits and meet up with friends and acquaintances you may not have seen for months!
Refreshments will be available in a gazebo outside the hall.
The Entry Form and rules can be downloaded as a PDF from the Village Web site as can the Full Schedule
It’s tomorrow!!!!!
Ken Mine’s Gardening Page for August 2021
THE GARDEN
The garden has recovered from a cold frosty April and a very wet May. So many plants, both vegetables and ornamentals, just sat and sulked for weeks (although surprisingly and counter intuitively here at Rose Cottage mostly untouched by slugs and snails until the recent drier weather arrived). But as the weather improved the garden came to life. Cosmos kept inside against the cold grew strongly enough to escape slug damage which had destroyed an early planting of French marigolds, and French beans caught up with some planted earlier. Tomatoes in the polytunnel were also adversely affected by the cold April nights but are now growing strongly And again, later plantings did better. The moral seems to be, don’t be in too much of a hurry. Continue reading “Ken Mine’s Gardening Page for August 2021”
Horticultural Society Trip to King John’s Lodge
A beautiful summers morning was enjoyed by members of the Horticultural Society for their visit to King John’s Lodge on Thursday. An absolutely superb re-start to village community events since lockdown. The gardens have been extended and new design concepts introduced since the last visit some years back.
Well done Heather for organising.For interest the name of that amazing red peony admired by all was ‘Early Scout’ (unfortunately the picture colouring doesn’t do it justice!)
Hort.Soc. 2021 Annual Show
We are pleased to announce that the Horticultural Society have decided to go ahead with this years Annual Show.
In order to create more space for people to move around the tables in line with Covid-19 guidelines some of the usual categories in the show schedule have been cut. There will be no ‘Pot Plant’, ‘Craft’, or ‘Children’s’ categories. Please see the schedule for other changes.
Hopefully refreshments will be available in a gazebo outside the hall.
Please click here to see or download the Entry Form & Rules
And click here for the Schedule
Hort. Soc. Visit to King John’s Lodge
Hadlow Down Horticultural Society members are planning a car visit to King John’s Lodge in Etchingham on Thursday June 24th..
This trip to the extensive and impressive gardens is the first opportunity for members to meet up since lockdown and we’re sure there will be a lot of conversational catching up to do which will be enjoyed in the excellent cafe in the grounds. There is also an “Aladdin’s Cave” of a shop and a very good nursery to browse round after visiting the gardens.
All garden loving villagers are invited to join members and talk about other gardens and other Hort. Soc. activities.
Anyone who wants to join us we will meet at the cafe at 10.30 am. Please just let Heather know you’re coming at heathermines2@hotmail.com and turn up on the day. The cost is £6.50 per person
Horticultural Society Spring Dates
The Horticultural Society’s AGM in the Village Hall on Tuesday, 17th March at 10.00 am has been cancelled due to ‘self isolation’advice concerning the corono-virus.
Membership for 2020 is now due. As Barbara Ball has retired as Membership Secretary please contact Kathy Cracknell for a membership card on 01825 830616 or email: kathy.cracknell48@gmail.com
The Spring Supper on Wednesday, 22nd April has been cancelled due to ‘self isolation’advice concerning the corono-virus.
Horticultural Society Autumn Supper
The Horticultural Society invite you to join them for their Autumn supper to be followed by a talk from Fergus Garrett, head gardener at Great Dixter.
Held at the Village Hall on 16th October ~ 6.30 for 7pm.
Tickets £8 for members, £10 for non-members. The talk will be after supper. For bookings and enquiries please contact Barbara Ball on 01825 830231.
Annual Show Update
HADLOW DOWN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ANNUAL FLOWER SHOW 2019
A challenging few weeks for gardeners prior to our Annual Show on 3rd August. However, our entrants managed to produce their usual high standards of produce (enormous potatoes this year), beautiful flowers, and those who entered the Flower Arranging Class excelled themselves with creative colour for the ‘Bonfire’ display and a bit of humour for a display in an egg cup (there was even a toasted ‘soldier’ to go with the egg cup!)
The Domestic classes were a treat to see, with several fruit cakes, delicious breads, frittata and a good selection of jams, relish and the flavoured brandy.
There was a wonderful decorated cake with a Lego theme, difficult for ‘little fingers’ to keep their hands off as they wanted to play with the Lego pieces.
The entries for the art and crafts classes produced some interesting pieces, and of course the photographic section had some stunning photos as usual. We had 9 entries for a Limerick in place of a poem, so look out for next year’s challenge!!! Thank you to the children who entered the children’s classes, the Rocky Road looked yummy.
From all of us on the Horticultural Society Committee a big thank you for partaking in this colourful event in our Village Hall. Thank you also to the team serving up the delicious cakes and teas in the afternoon, always a high point of the afternoon and a time for committee to sit down and enjoy listening to comments and to see the hall buzzing with people.
Hope to see you all again next year. (1st August 2020)
Happy Gardening
Kathy Cracknell
