Hello and welcome to the Surrey Horticultural Federation Late Spring newsletter!
Please share a link to this newsletter with your members, so they can stay up to date with all the events happening in Surrey and the surrounding areas.
Take Part in Plantlife’s No Mow May!
We’ve lost approximately 97% of the UK’s flower-rich meadows since the 1930’s. Flowering meadows feature plants and flowers that are vital foods for pollinators, like bees and butterflies.
97% of our meadows have been lost but your lawn can help! A healthy lawn with some long grass and wildflowers benefits wildlife, tackles pollution, and can even lock away carbon below ground. There are over 20 million gardens in the UK, even the smallest grassy patches add up to a significant proportion of land which, if managed properly, can deliver enormous gains for nature.
This is why Plantlife calls for people to get involved with #NoMowMay every year, and the charity encourages us to let wild plants get a head start on the summer. All you have to do is not mow your lawn in May (and ideally beyond – leave your grass to grow long over summer and cut it in September). For more information, visit Plantlife’s website.
Does Your Gardening Club Place Bulk Seed Orders with Discounts for Your members?
Please let us know if you’ve got any advice to help the Surrey Horticultural Federation Gardening Clubs and Societies save money when placing bulk seed orders.
Don’t forget that if you grow open pollinated plants then you can save your own seeds and save lots of money. Perhaps consider hosting a seed swap in February and a plant swap in spring or summertime?
These two companies offer discounts to gardening clubs and societies for bulk orders…..
Mr Fothergill’s Allotment and Garden Club
Mr Fothergill’s gives gardening clubs discounts on bulk seed orders. Members can save up to 60% on seed-only orders. The value of your first club order sets your discount level for the season, it is therefore vital that your first order is as large as possible to generate the biggest discount.
Bulk packed orders – all members seed-only orders are individually packed (and include a charge of £1.99p P&P per member’s order) and delivered to the secretary in one go. Please refer to individual member’s order form for full P&P details.
Low minimum order – only £200 minimum order to receive a 30% discount. Plus, top up orders (min £100) get the same level of discount as the initial club order.
Up to 60% on seed-only orders! Mr Fothergill’s Allotment and Garden Club seed scheme works using a tiered level of discount. The more your combined membership spends, the bigger the discount. Under the scheme, if your members spend over £1000 (catalogue prices) on seed-only items you’ll receive a massive 60% discount. PLUS, members will get a FREE packet of seed (vegetable or flower seeds dependant on availability) with every seed order.
Mr Fothergill’s also send out FREE show card pack – you’ll get a pack of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5ft show cards for use at your own event.
FREE seeds for the organiser – as you’ve done the hard work, the organiser can claim up to £30 of free seeds. If you’re worried about paying – you don’t pay any money up front – when your order is despatched, you’ll get an itemised invoice and up to 30 days to pay. Mr Fothergill’s say they want to ensure you have an easy ordering process with less admin, so all the paperwork is provided in an easy to use format. Mr Fothergill’s also offer an excel spreadsheet to help if you would prefer to fill your order in on a computer.
Terms and conditions
The terms offered are exclusively to Mr Fothergill’s Allotment Societies, Horticultural Societies and Gardening Clubs and are not available to private individuals.
Our usual guarantee will apply to all products provided.
Minimum order value for this service is £200 and £100 for any subsequent top-up orders.
All invoices must be settled within 30 days of the invoice date.
All products supplied are for amateur gardening use and not for subsequent resale.
Please refer to our terms and trading which are available upon request.
Please note that these offers can only be applied per individual member order and not spread across multiple orders.
Club discounts cannot be used when ordering directly online and cannot be used in conjunction with any other online offers and discounts.
Only packet seed is eligible for any club discounts under this scheme.
Club discounts cannot be used when ordering directly online and cannot be used in conjunction with any other online offers and discounts.
The Free seed packet with every seed order will be sent subject to availability.
Contact the team via email: gardening.club@mr-fothergills.co.uk
D.T. Brown’s Allotment Society and Gardening Club Discounts
Visit D. T. Brown’s website where you can download their Allotment Society and Gardening Club Discounts.
Do you need certificates for your Flower Show?
The Surrey Horticultural Federation Certificates of Merit are available from our Chairman, Janet Arm. If you would like to receive Certificates of Merit, please post an A4 or Foolscap sized, stamped addressed envelope with a large second class stamp (£1.55) to Janet Arm at Redleaf Nursery, Green Lane, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 2AP.
Spreadsheets for Show Cards
John Manches has devised a special computer spreadsheet to cope with printing show entry cards and adding up the points won for cup presentations. If any Surrey Horticultural Federation Clubs and Societies are interested in receiving John’s template, please contact John by email at: johnmanches74@gmail.com or phone 01252-702752.
Royal Horticultural Society’s Annual Grow With It Programme
Grow With It is the RHS’ annual programme designed to support school and community gardeners to get growing, connect with each other and share knowledge and resources.
Kicking off a year of water-wise growing, the Big Seed Sow 2024 starts, Monday 29 April – Sunday 12 May 2024.
Each year, Grow With It focuses on a different theme. In 2024, the RHS are looking at water. How to save water, how we access water and most importantly, the impact of this on the planet. Throughout the year, the RHS will ask you to share how you’re doing to gain an idea of how watering works across communities.
By taking part, you’ll have the chance to join us for the RHS seed sowing event, the Big Seed Sow in spring and their seed saving campaign, the Big Seed Save in autumn. The RHS’ online resources will provide advice around saving water, and access to fun activities through the year, delivered straight to your inbox.
- Take part in a collective citizen science enquiry to find out how we can save and better use water
- Contribute information on your growing journey to our interactive map and see what we can achieve when we grow together
- Access resources and guidance throughout the year to help you grow, share and connect with others in your community
- Build lasting skills and knowledge to help us all grow better, together
- Have fun and celebrate your journey with your group
For more information, visit the RHS website.
Grow Your Own Talk with David Domoney at Squire’s Garden Centre in Twickenham
As part of Squire’s Garden Centre in Twickenham’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations, Colin Squire and his daughter Sarah are hosting an early evening ‘Grow you Own’ gardening talk with TV presenter David Domoney on Wednesday 1st May 2024 from 5-7pm. David will give step by step advice on how to propagate a bumper harvest for the family. He will also be available for a book signing at the end of the evening. Tickets are £15 and include a glass of fizz or soft drink and canapés on arrival. Tickets can be booked on Squire’s website.
Thursley Horticultural Society’s Plant Sale is on Saturday 4th May 2024!
Thursley Horticultural Society are holding their Plant Sale from 10.30pm until 12 noon, on Saturday 4th May 2024, by the Cricket Pavilion on the recreation ground, in Thursley, Godalming, Surrey, GU8. There is free entry to this Plant Sale which is open to everyone. Visitors will discover a wealth of amazing locally grown plants, including vegetables, perennials, annuals, and roses. Catherine from Seale Nurseries will be selling roses and giving advice on rose growing. This event is a superb opportunity to buy beautiful, locally grown plants at fantastic prices.
To see all the Surrey Horticultural Federation Plant Sales, visit our Events Page.
Tom Brown, Head Gardener at West Dean Gardens is Giving a Talk to Thursley Horticultural Society on Wednesday 8th May 2024
Thursley Horticultural Society are hosting a talk with Dan Brown on Wednesday 8th May 2024. This talk starts at 7.30pm – Doors open at 7pm at Thursley Village Hall, Dye House Road, Thursley, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 6QD. Non members are very welcome to attend this talk.
Ascot Horticultural Society: Growing & Showing Fruit, Veg, and Flowers
Ascot Horticultural Society are meeting at 7.30pm (for 7.45pm start) on Wednesday 8th May 2024 at King Edward’s Hall, King Edwards Road, Ascot, SL5 8PD. Graham Talbot will be giving a talk entitled ‘Growing and Showing Fruit, Veg, and Flowers’. If you want to encourage your members to enter your flower show, why not follow Ascot Horticultural Society‘s lead and host a talk with inspiration, ideas. and guidance? Tickets are just £3 for visitors, so why not check out Graham Talbot’s talk yourself and see if you think this speaker would be appropriate for your group.
Plant Heritage’s Threatened Plant of the Year Competition 2024
Do you have a plant in your garden that perhaps was popular years ago but isn’t available in garden centres? Could you enter Plant Heritage’s Threatened Plant of the Year competition 2024? Last years’ winner was an historic cultivar of Chaenomeles x speciosa ‘Contorta’ (pictured below) Plant Heritage started this competition to champion those cultivars that may be star performers, but have fallen out of general circulation.
Do you have a cultivar that is no longer available for sale, yet is worthy of wider acclaim? Perhaps it is a standout in the garden, or an unusual form, or a prolific yielder? It could have an association with well-known people or places, or have been bred by a notable breeder. If so, please enter Plant Heritage‘s competition, which is free to enter for everyone. Twelve shortlisted plants (or a photo thereof) will be displayed at the Hampton Court Garden Festival from 2-7 July 2024, with the winning plant being announced on 1st July 2024 at the show.
Find out more about the criteria and how to enter by clicking here. We look forward to finding out more fascinating stories of unsung garden heroes. NB: Closing date for entries is 19th May 2024. Any questions just email Info@plantheritage.org.uk.
Find out more about the Surrey Plant Heritage Group and their upcoming events by clicking here.
Ray Martin’s Rose Talk at Squire’s Garden Centre in Twickenham
As part of Squire’s Garden Centre in Twickenham’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations, Colin Squire and his daughter Sarah are hosting an evening with special guest Ray Martin, Secretary of the The Rose Society UK on Wednesday 29t May 2024 from 5-7pm. At 5pm attendees will be warmly welcomed by Colin Squire and his daughter Sarah with a glass of fizz and delicious canapés, followed by an illustrative talk with twelve top tips to grow, cultivate, and prune your roses to keep them in the best condition. Tickets are £15 and can be booked on Squire’s website.
National Garden Scheme Chelsea Plant Sale at Chilworth Manor
Chilworth Manor, Chilworth, Surrey are hosting the National Garden Scheme’s Chelsea Plant Sale on Saturday 1st June 2024 from 10am until 5pm. On sale will be a wide selection of perennials all specially selected for the NGS show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower show by the award-winning garden designer Tom Stuart-Smith and Peter Clay, co-founder of the renowned online nursery, Crocus. Tickets (which includes entry to both the plant sale and the garden) are sold for entry within a one hour window. Children free. Sorry dogs are not allowed. To facilitate parking please do not arrive more than 10 minutes before your time slot begins. For more information and to buy tickets, please click here.
Guildford in Bloom’s Blooming Picnic
Guildford in Bloom are holding their Blooming Picnic on Saturday 1 June 2024 in Guildford Castle Grounds. Gates open at 12 noon and there will be live music until 4pm. Bring your own picnic! Tea, coffee, cakes, ice cream and Pimm’s will be available to purchase. Bring chairs or a blanket but please no tables or gazebos. Well behaved dogs are also very welcome, but must be kept on leads. Please also be aware the area gets loud and busy so nervous dogs may well not enjoy the experience. There will be various stalls from local charities and partners for you to visit – including face painting for the children (and adults).
Bookham Open Gardens is from 10am until 5pm on Sunday 23rd June 2024
This year’s Bookham Open Gardens event will feature around 13 varied and attractive private gardens (including 3 new gardens) as well as Little Bookham Allotments. The garden owners will give you a warm welcome.
The proceeds from the day go towards the upkeep of the Old Barn Hall. Throughout the day, delicious home baked cakes, filled rolls, and drinks will be served at the Old Barn Hall.
Tickets go on sale on the 1st of June 2024: tickets are £7 online from www.bookhamopengardens.co.uk, or from the Old Barn Hall, KT23 3PQ (Mon, Weds, Fri 9.30am-12 noon), the Vineries (event sponsors) & other local outlets. All tickets will be priced at £8 on the day. You can also buy your tickets at the first garden you visit. NB: Assistance dogs only. Sorry no minibus service.
For more information visit www.bookhamopengardens.co.uk (where you’ll find a downloadable programme from June 1st). Look for ‘Bookham Open Gardens’ on Facebook, or contact or contact Brenda Kent on 01372 453952 / Email: bnb.selworthy@btinternet.com or Diane Poole on opengardensinfo@gmail.com
Visit Shere Open Gardens on Sunday 23rd June 2024
The residents of Shere, near Guildford invite visitors to view over 15 beautiful private gardens in their picturesque village as part of their special event to raise funds for Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care and other local village causes. Enjoy garden inspired installations around the village, make a purchase at the plant sale, enjoy a refreshing drink at the Pimms Stall, and delicious homemade tea and cakes in the village hall.
Shere Open Gardens takes place from 2pm until 6pm on Sunday 23rd June 2024 at Shere, off the A25, halfway between Guildford and Dorking (SATNAV GU5 9HE). Tickets: adults £8, over 65’s £7, under 16’s are free. Tickets are available online now, and on the day at the car parks and village hall. There’s free parking, which will be signposted in the village. NB: Dogs are only allowed in one or two gardens.
Would You Like to Open Your Garden to Raise Funds for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice?
This spring and summer, the Phyllis Tuckwell are once again looking for unique and interesting gardens in our area to open in support of local hospice care. If you’ve got a small garden, why not get together with your friends or neighbours and hold an Open Day or Open Gardens Weekend with multiple gardens opening? Visit the Phyllis Tuckwell’s website for more information.
If you’re interested in opening a garden, please contact Jenny Newman, Jenny’s email is Jenny.Newman@pth.org.uk.
Aldershot Floral Design Club are celebrating their Platinum (70th) year with an Open Demonstration and Cream Tea and Everyone’s Invited!
Aldershot Floral Design Club are celebrating their Platinum (70th) year in 2024 and to mark the occasion they’re hosting an Open Demonstration and a cream tea to celebrate. This special event takes place on Sunday 4th August 2024 at Normandy Village Hall, Manor Fruit Farm, Glaziers Lane, Normandy, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 2DD.
There will be special Floral demonstration created by National Demonstrator, Sandy Bailey entitled, “Let’s Celebrate” and a delicious cream tea. Ticket Price: £25.00. Doors open at 2pm. This is an event not to be missed. The stage will be filled with wonderful flowers arranged in superb designs, and there will also be a raffle to win one of these beautiful flower arrangements. For more information, please contact Dee Kelly (Chairman) Dee47nafas@gmail.com.
The Pat Marsh Radio Show on BBC Local Radio
Jean Griffin has asked me to let all our gardening societies and clubs know that although the BBC Radio Surrey Dig It Gardening programme has been lost, Gardening Radio is still alive and well, albeit in a different format.
Pat Marsh hosts a programme on BBC Local Radio, which includes a gardening section. The show runs from 10am – 2pm each Sunday on BBC Radio Kent, BBC Radio Sussex, and BBC Radio Surrey. NB: The gardening section of the show is on air from 10.30am to 12 midday. If you want to ask a gardening question, please email sunday.gardening@bbc.co.uk. Remember to include your phone number on any emails you send, so the gardening experts can chat with you on-air and can ask for any other information they may require to help answer your query.
Report Asian Hornet Sightings
I am sharing this early, to allow you to have time to share this information with your members, so they’re informed and prepared, ready for summer. Asian Hornets have been sighted in the UK in recent years. Why does this matter? The Asian Hornet is highly aggressive predator of our native insects; entomologists feel that the Asian Hornet poses a significant threat to honey bees and other pollinators.
Two Asian hornet nests were found in Surrey in September 2023. The nests were subsequently destroyed by experts from DEFRA. Keep up to date with Asian hornet sightings by clicking here.
If you think you’ve seen an Asian Hornet, take a photo if you can. Please take care and do not disturb an active nest. Members of the public who suspect they have found an Asian Hornet should report it to the NNSS through their online form or by emailing alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk.
A free ID sheet is available from the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS). Click here to view detailed pictures to help you correctly identify an Asian Hornet.
Speaker Feedback
Has a speaker given a talk to your society over the past few months? Please share your confidential feedback by emailing me your thoughts, both positive and negative on the speakers you booked last year, and I will share your feedback privately (via email) with the other clubs that are members of the SHF – thank you. My email is beth@pumpkinbeth.com.
NB: Speaker feedback is private and confidential and is not to be shared with anyone other than your group’s programme secretary.
Publicising Your Club or Society’s Events
If your club or society is a fully paid up member of the Surrey Horticultural Federation, I will be delighted to add your society or club’s events to our website. Please email me, beth@pumpkinbeth.com. To successfully publicise your event, I need to know:
- What date your event takes place.
- What time your event starts.
- Where your event is held.
- What type of event you’re holding? If it’s a talk, please let me know the name of the speaker and their talk title.
- Finally, I need to know the entrance fee for non-members and visitors.
Do You Have Anything You Would Like Me to Add to the Next Surrey Horticultural Federation Newsletter?
If you are a member of the Surrey Horticultural Federation and you have something you would like me to add to the next newsletter, please contact me, Beth Otway, the Surrey Horticultural Federation’s Website & Events Secretary – my email is beth@pumpkinbeth.com. Please send details of your events to me as far in advance as possible, as I don’t produce a newsletter every month and there are fewer events in summertime and so a long break in between.
On behalf of our Chairperson Janet Arm, Our Membership Secretary and Treasurer, Katharine Deaville, and all the Surrey Horticultural Federation Council, I’d like to send you our very best wishes for the growing season.
Kind regards
Beth
Beth Otway
Website & Events Secretary
Surrey Horticultural Federation