Wickhambrook Horticultural Society Reports

March and April 2012

At the time of writing (early April) there is lots and lots to do in the garden and things are moving apace. The biggest problem at the moment is the drought that most of the country seems to be suffering from and, unless we get a lot of steady, prolonged rain this is going to be an on-going problem. However, gardeners are usually optimistically minded people (we have to be), so hopefully we shall get lots of rain soon (preferably overnight of course!!) to help to ease the situation.

In February we had a talk on "The Making of a Garden on Breckland Sand" given by Yvonne and David Leonard. This was a very interesting talk and illustrated what a lovely garden could be grown in the very sandy conditions where they lived if the plants used were suited to these particular conditions. They had certainly made a success and had a beautiful garden to show for it. Yvonne Leonard is heavily involved with the NGS scheme and urged us to visit some of the gardens listed in the pamphlets she left with us. She told us a little about the charity and how it has grown and grown since it first began.

Peter Morris who came to talk to us in March unfortunately had to change his talk - he had dropped the slides which he was bringing to give his talk on Fruit, Vegetables and Flowers in Containers when he was loading his car, so instead gave a talk on "A Flower for Every day of the Year". I know that some people who had come along were a bit disappointed not to have the advertised talk, but even so Mr Morris's slides were lovely - they only illustrated why we are always trying to grow different, new flowers because there are just so many beautiful ones to tempt us.

On Friday 30th March, 19 of our members had a lunch-time meal at Scotsdales and, of course, a look around this lovely nursery. The meal was excellent, and quite a lot of shopping was brought back to Wickhambrook. A lovely day out and many thanks to Maria Sumner who organised everything for us.

On Monday 23rd April we have a talk on "Carnivorous Plants" given by Mr Steve Fraser.

On Monday 14th May we have our Annual Coffee Evening and Plant Sale. We normally have lots of different cuttings, seedlings and plants for extremely low prices, so do come along and have a browse. There will also be a raffle and chance to have a good chat with friends, and if you have a particular garden problem you may come along and find that someone has a solution for you. The above meetings begin at 7.30 p.m. in the W.I. Hall and, as usual, everyone is welcome.

Jackie Fieldsend, Chairman