Rose - Madame Gregoire Staechelin

'bringing gardeners together'

NEWSLETTER July 2015

Rose - Madame Gregoire Staechelin

Hello again,

Well, I shall make no apologies for showing a rose again this month. Have you ever known such a year for this beautiful plant? The perfume knocks your socks off wherever you go.

Changing weather patterns have such unpredictable results leading to certain plants doing better one year and then something else the next. This year also seems to be the year of the Cleaver (Galium aparine, aka Goosegrass) and I was going to have a bit of a moan about it until I discovered it is considered to be a herb of great medicinal use and can be, apparently, safely used as a herbal tea for all sorts of ailments including psoriasis, arthritis and urinary infections. The roasted seeds can even be used as a coffee substitute and the young leaves cooked and eaten like spinach. We live and learn! However, please don't take my word for it. Herbs should be used only with great caution. Cleavers also have laxative and emetic properties so consumption should be in moderation. The sap

may also cause skin irritation.

At the recent meeting, Geraldine announced that Alison is sadly no longer able to continue as Minutes Secretary and asked if anyone would be willing to take her place. It involves taking minutes of committee meetings (four a year) and if possible a brief record of the monthly meetings, although the latter can easily be shared. As a fairly recent newcomer myself I can honestly recommend getting involved as a way of meeting lots of lovely people and making new friends. If you would like to consider it call me (873321) or Geraldine (394789) for a quick chat to see if it might be for you - with absolutely no obligation, promise!

Happy gardening,

Carole

PS Still places available on the coach trip to Arley Hall in Cheshire on August 23rd and please check out the car trips, details below. Friends and family are very welcome.

Chairman - Mrs Geraldine Wooddisse. Treasurer - Mrs Rosemary Pope.

Secretary - Mrs Carole Lacy email Tel 01384 873321

www.kinverhorti.org.uk Charity No. 701258

Beryl writes - Due to illness, we did not have the advertised talk on hostas, but fortunately Robin Pearce was able to step in and gave an excellent talk with some most colourful slides an dahlias. Robin is a nurseryman of many years and has his nursery at Hallow, near Worcester. He has been involved with the dahlia trials at RHS Wisley for many years, so his knowledge is next to none.
Dahlias originated in Mexico. They can even stand dry sandy soil. They come in many colours, even spotty and stripy. Many forms and heights. From quite tiny “Preston Paric” variety to very tall, back of the border ones. The “Top Mix” varieties for pots, to the huge mop-heads and cactus ones beloved by exhibitors for the show bench. If you are lucky the “Imperialis” will even flower at Christmas. Plant them deep enough and there is no need to lift them. Try growing from your saved seeds and you could get a new variety.
Robin was eager to answer questions, and did a good trade in plants he had brought from his nursery.
The flower of the month competition was won be Jean Oliver with a rose. Rosemary came second and Mary Baker third.The flowering shrub competition was won by Geraldine Wooddisse.
Our Next Meeting
/ Thursday 30th July
7.30 pm
St Peter's Church Hall
Vicarage Drive
Don't miss the talk of the year when we welcome
Dr Michael Leach talking on 'The Complete Owl'
Based on Michael’s best-selling book of the same name. This talk reveals resident British owls in folklore and fact; it looks at barn owls and tawny owls, little owls and cat owls, and the specialised techniques that help them hunt. It dispels misleading myths and reveals the realities of an owl’s life. The talk is illustrated with dramatic high-speed photographs of owls in flight.
Michael is a full time wildlife photographer and author. He has travelled to all 7 continents and worked with many of the world's most charismatic animals - polar bears in the arctic, gorillas in centralAfrica, lemurs inMadagascar, sperm whales in the mid-Atlantic, monkeys in the Amazon, penguins in the Antarctic and elephants inKenya.
The monthly competition for June will be
1. Photograph of a summer garden. 2.Any garden flower of the month.
Please note the 'Garden Flower of the Month' should be a single stem only.

What you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask......

Yes, human urine does have many uses in the garden and the male variety is preferable as it is less acidic. At Wimpole hall in Cambridgeshire even the National Trust are getting in on the game and providing 'Pee Bales' for the use of their male staff after hours. These enriched bales are then incorporated into the soil to increase fertility.

So what can we do with the stuff?

1. As Fertiliser. Apparently urine output of just one person urine would be enough to fertilize up to one tenth of an acre of vegetables for an entire year. If you plan to use pee as a fertilizer for actual plants in your garden, be sure to dilute it in a 20:1 ratio (20 parts water, 1 part pee) and sprinkle it on the soil around the plants, not the plants themselves.

2. As a soil enhancer. Urine isn’t only rich in nitrogen but also phosphorous and potassium, it replenishes soil that has had its minerals depleted over time. It is said that if you make a trench in the autumn, fill it with kitchen peelings etc, add urine then cover it over, that by the spring you will have a rich planting bed full of nutrients to grow your vegetables.

3. As a compost accelerator. The uric acid present in urine accelerates compost decomposition. Uric acid is most concentrated first thing in the morning so one suggestion is to keep a jar/watering can/bucket by the loo to collect this liquid gold for adding to your compost heap.

4. Weed killing. Have you noticed that when dogs urinate on specific patches of grass, that grass tends to die? First it goes yellow, then it dries up as it dies. Well human urine will do the same. For the purposes of helping your plants to grow urine must be diluted. But, if you want to kill them use it full strength. This is because the acids will burn and kill your plants - in this case it would seem that females have the advantage!

5. As a fungus fighter. As we know, plants can develop fungal diseases like leaf rot and downy mildew. Uric acid is good for eliminating/discouraging those fungi on plants like berry bushes and herbaceous plants. You’ll have to dilute it by about 50%, and then use a spray bottle to spritz the liquid onto the affected areas. Note: in both World Wars, soldiers apparently urinated on their own feet to get rid of (or even prevent) athlete’s foot and other foot-fungi that thrived in the damp trench conditions. 6. Animal deterrent. If you’ve ever spent any time with a dog, you’ll notice that they like to mark their territory with their urine so that all the other neighbourhood dogs know who lives where, and not to disrespect boundaries. Apparently, the scent of human urine (again, the early morning pungent variety) can keep animals such as cats, foxes, and rabbits away from your garden. This could just be hearsay, but may be worth a try! Do note that this supposedly only works with adult male urine, as it’s full of potent hormones.

Will any members who try this please report back if is successful - especially against squirrels. Anonymity will be assured. Content extracted from http://www.lifehack.org

Update on the mozzie stuff. Kate Harrington tells me she paid only half the price for the 'Famous Gardener's Insect Repelling Gel' (retailed online at 200ml £11.60) at the Malvern Show. Worth looking out for when you are next there. You might also want to try Avon Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Body Spray with Jojoba and Citronella 150 ml - Pack of 2 £6.55 includes p&p from Amazon.

Be careful what you wish for! Have you ever wondered why your wisteria is taking so long to mature? Rosemary and Noel Cleave planted the single wisteria vine to cover a wall at their cottage in Crudwell, Wiltshire, in 1972. Since then it has grown 250ft and has wrapped itself all the way round the outside of the house. Mr Cleave, 76, said: ‘We always joke that if the wisteria ever shrank, the house would collapse.’

He prunes the plant twice a year - in February, to encourage flowering; and in June, to control it, manage the new shoots, which grow by about 20ft, and tie it back. Each pruning session takes two days.

Thanks to Sally Brookes for forwarding this.

The Horti Trip Season ....Thanks to Rosemary for organising a most enjoyable coach trip to Painswick and Trench Hill Gardens. Our day out was full of fun and excitement. Not least when the coach was unable to get past some overhanging trees and most of us ended up walking the last mile or so through beautiful countryside to Trench Hill. The owners, Celia & Dave Hargrave, were magnificent, ferrying the rest to the garden in their cars. They even sent out a search party when one of our members - who shall remain nameless - took a wrong turn on the way back and ended up a considerable distance away!

Saturday 11th July Where are the romantics among you? Ingrid is organising a car trip to Moor's Meadow Gardens near Bromyard. A 7acre organic hillside garden was voted by BBC Gardener's World the 'Most Romantic' in Central England and is said to be full of appeal to the true plantsman. There are brimming herbaceous borders, a grass garden, a rhododendron glade, a fernery, a cottage-style garden, a herb garden, and a highly productive kitchen garden. Meet at Edgecliff turning circle at 1pm. Admission £6 (tea and cake extra). Call Ingrid on 01384 872622 to put your name down.

For art lovers their resident artist/blacksmith, Joshua De Lisle has some wonderful sculptures available www.joshuadelisle.com

Friday 24th July. 19 Waterdale, Compton, Wolverhampton WV3 9DY Why not join us for a car trip to this secluded town garden that gradually reveals itself in a journey through deep, lush planting, and a wealth of unusual plants. There will be a surprise round every corner from the sunny, flower filled terrace, a ruined folly, a luxuriant fernery and an oriental garden, complete with teahouse. This garden will be featured in George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, Shed of the Year series at the end of the month Meet at Edgecliff car park at 6.15 pm to arrive at 7 pm. £5 entrance including tea and cake (to pay on the day) Contact Rosemary Pope on 01384 872641 or email secretary @kinverhorti.org.uk to reserve a place.

Sunday 23rd August Arley Hall and Gardens. Bring along your friends and family for a lovely, relaxing day out. £25 includes admission to the hall and a private guided tour with the Head Gardener. Organised by Carole Lacy call Carole on 01384 873321 / email to reserve a place.

Out & About

Monday 20th July. Wollaston will be hosting this round of the Morgan Shield Cup Challenge starting at 8pm. at the Stourbridge Institute. Please call Ingrid on 01384 872622

Saturday and Sunday 18th & 19th July For the tenth year our very own Joyce Williams will be opening Westacres, Wolverhampton Road, Prestwood for the NGS. Hostas are her speciality. 11am to 4pm. £4 per person . Homemade cakes . Plant sales. Wheelchair friendly. Dogs welcome as long as on lead. Ample car parking .

10 July 2015 - 12 July 2015 Introduction to Permaculture in association with Aberystwyth University. The word 'permaculture' comes from 'permanent agriculture' and 'permanent culture' - it is about living lightly on the plane - including in our gardening practice. Held at the Karuna Permaculture Project, Church Stretton. Very competitive rates. Further info:- https://www.permaculture.org.uk/education/course/permaculture-3-days-2015-07-10

Saturday August 15th Kinver Floral Art Club are organising a trip to the Shrewsbury Flower Show. Call Jan Warren 01384 894696 or visit kinverfloralartclub.co.uk

Contributions to the newsletter are very welcome. Please let Carole have your copy by the end of each month. Email 01384 873321