ESTABLISHED 1892
Every month the Stalbridge Garden Society produces a report on their monthly meeting. Here is the October 2018 edition...
Tony Moore, our chairman, welcomed the members to our meeting, gave out the notices, on the after Christmas meal venue, the health /allergens certificate, and also asked if anyone would be willing to come forward to represent the S.G.S at the village hall meetings.
Tony informed us that there were two places on the committee if anyone would like to join the existing member, they would be welcome.
Marion Dale was the speaker for the evening, Tony welcomed her, she has given us great talks in the past, so we all were looking forward to this evening’s talk.
“Designing with plants” was the title of the talk. Marion told us how she became a garden designer, after being made redundant from her job in the city.
She went to college and gained an R.H.S. certificate, she helped students design a garden, and they won a gold medal, she then herself won a gold medal for her own design work’
Marion told us where to start when designing whether you want a themed, modern, contempary or cottage garden.
Then do a P.H test on your garden soil, which might be acid, alkaline or neutral, this will help you greatly when choosing your plants.
Next know your soil type; it is usually one of these three types, sandy, silty or the more difficult clay, this again will help you when choosing trees and shrubs.
Another question to ask yourself is how much shade, or full sun does your garden get?
This will effect what type for plants to put in your garden and where to plant them, for example lavender likes full sun, whereas woodland plants like shade.
Think about trees and shrubs, how big will they get in five or ten years’ time!
There is a good website called “shoot” which lists lots of trees and shrubs, and it is easy to find out how big some of your garden plants will get, so for example, eucalyptus reaches 15ft in ten years or larger, not ideal for small gardens.
Screening do you need plants to screen your property, shed, neighbours, do they need to be evergreen?
What type of leaf shape do you like or need, plants fit for purpose.
Colour, all year round interest, pastel shades, bright hot colours to lift a dark area, pastels to soften a sharp edge, all these things need to be taken into account when designing a garden
Marion gave us the best tip, when going to the garden centre or nursery, chose plants that you like , don’t take any money with you, just a note book and pen, make a note, when you get home check to see if they are right for your garden, do your research, then you can buy.
Finally she told us that she still has not had time to do her own cottage garden, hopefully one day soon!
Marion gave us a super talk with lots of pictures, and lots of information and tips about garden design, we all enjoyed it very much.
Apple competition
Thank you to Chris Wiles and Geoff for judging the lovely display of apples.
The results are as follows:-
Cooking: - 1st Angela Flavell 2nd Tony Moore 3rd Shirley Ketcher h/c Mary Moore
Dessert: - 1st Dennis Ketcher 2nd Tony Moore 3rd Mary Moore
A big thank you to all of you who took part and brought in some of the apple harvest.
Next month we have a talk by Castle Gardens “Looking at Hedges and Barriers”, in the hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 8th November
Please do come and visit our friendly garden society, you are always welcome.
Time to start bringing in your plants that you wish to overwinter, the dahlias are hanging on giving a splash of colour.
Don’t forget to plants the spring bulbs, and take lots of autumn photos with your cameras of phone, that is if this strong wind has not blown all of the leaves off before they change colour!
Michelle Howell
Tony Moore, our chairman, welcomed the members to our meeting, gave out the notices, on the after Christmas meal venue, the health /allergens certificate, and also asked if anyone would be willing to come forward to represent the S.G.S at the village hall meetings.
Tony informed us that there were two places on the committee if anyone would like to join the existing member, they would be welcome.
Marion Dale was the speaker for the evening, Tony welcomed her, she has given us great talks in the past, so we all were looking forward to this evening’s talk.
“Designing with plants” was the title of the talk. Marion told us how she became a garden designer, after being made redundant from her job in the city.
She went to college and gained an R.H.S. certificate, she helped students design a garden, and they won a gold medal, she then herself won a gold medal for her own design work’
Marion told us where to start when designing whether you want a themed, modern, contempary or cottage garden.
Then do a P.H test on your garden soil, which might be acid, alkaline or neutral, this will help you greatly when choosing your plants.
Next know your soil type; it is usually one of these three types, sandy, silty or the more difficult clay, this again will help you when choosing trees and shrubs.
Another question to ask yourself is how much shade, or full sun does your garden get?
This will effect what type for plants to put in your garden and where to plant them, for example lavender likes full sun, whereas woodland plants like shade.
Think about trees and shrubs, how big will they get in five or ten years’ time!
There is a good website called “shoot” which lists lots of trees and shrubs, and it is easy to find out how big some of your garden plants will get, so for example, eucalyptus reaches 15ft in ten years or larger, not ideal for small gardens.
Screening do you need plants to screen your property, shed, neighbours, do they need to be evergreen?
What type of leaf shape do you like or need, plants fit for purpose.
Colour, all year round interest, pastel shades, bright hot colours to lift a dark area, pastels to soften a sharp edge, all these things need to be taken into account when designing a garden
Marion gave us the best tip, when going to the garden centre or nursery, chose plants that you like , don’t take any money with you, just a note book and pen, make a note, when you get home check to see if they are right for your garden, do your research, then you can buy.
Finally she told us that she still has not had time to do her own cottage garden, hopefully one day soon!
Marion gave us a super talk with lots of pictures, and lots of information and tips about garden design, we all enjoyed it very much.
Apple competition
Thank you to Chris Wiles and Geoff for judging the lovely display of apples.
The results are as follows:-
Cooking: - 1st Angela Flavell 2nd Tony Moore 3rd Shirley Ketcher h/c Mary Moore
Dessert: - 1st Dennis Ketcher 2nd Tony Moore 3rd Mary Moore
A big thank you to all of you who took part and brought in some of the apple harvest.
Next month we have a talk by Castle Gardens “Looking at Hedges and Barriers”, in the hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 8th November
Please do come and visit our friendly garden society, you are always welcome.
Time to start bringing in your plants that you wish to overwinter, the dahlias are hanging on giving a splash of colour.
Don’t forget to plants the spring bulbs, and take lots of autumn photos with your cameras of phone, that is if this strong wind has not blown all of the leaves off before they change colour!
Michelle Howell
Our 2018 Programme of Talks, outings and events
JANUARY |
Thursday 11th “Fabulous Foliage” – Debbie Winn |
FEBRUARY |
Thursday 8th “Bach Flower Remedies” – Judith Stewart |
MARCH |
Thursday 8th Garden Quiz – Mark Webber AGM and SPRING SHOW |
APRIL |
Thursday 12th “The National Garden Scheme” – David Moon |
MAY |
Thursday 10th "The Bee Friendly Garden” – Neil Lovesey Saturday 12th SPRING PLANT & JUMBLE SALE – Stalbridge Hall, 10.30am. |
JUNE |
Thursday 14th “Growing Your Own” – Castle Gardens ROSE COMPETITION |
JULY |
Thursday 12th Evening Outing |
AUGUST |
Thursday 9th “Ascension Island” – Martin Young Saturday 18th ANNUAL PRODUCE & FLOWER SHOW, Stalbridge Hall, 2.30pm |
SEPTEMBER |
Thursday 13th “Dorset Wildlife Trust – The Importance of Dorset’s Veteran Trees” - Emma Tomlin DAHLIA COMPETITION |
OCTOBER |
Thursday 11th “Designing with Plants” – Marion Dale APPLE COMPETITION |
NOVEMBER |
Thursday 8th “Looking at Hedges & Barriers” – Castle Gardens |
DECEMBER |
Thursday 13th “The Winter Garden – Debbie Winn” and CHRISTMAS BUFFET |
Please note our Annual Produce and Flower Show will be on Saturday 18th August 2018.
Our Plant and Jumble Sale will be on Saturday 12th May 2018.
Our Plant and Jumble Sale will be on Saturday 12th May 2018.
The Society, established in 1892, meets on the second Thursday of each month
in Stalbridge Hall at 7.30.pm
in Stalbridge Hall at 7.30.pm
Why not come and join us?
We would love to see you.
Annual subscription £10.00
or just come as a visitor for £2 per evening.
Each month we have a talk by an expert
on an aspect of gardening or garden related topic.
Alongside some of our talks we hold
season-related informal competitions.
Just come along,
or for more information please telephone:
Anne 01963 362670.
We would love to see you.
Annual subscription £10.00
or just come as a visitor for £2 per evening.
Each month we have a talk by an expert
on an aspect of gardening or garden related topic.
Alongside some of our talks we hold
season-related informal competitions.
Just come along,
or for more information please telephone:
Anne 01963 362670.
The Annual Stalbridge Garden Show in the heart of Hardy country lays out a blooming marvellous display...
"The Sun came out and the residents came to support Stalbridge Garden Society at their Annual Flower & Produce Show. Stalbridge Hall was buzzing all afternoon and the tea ladies were swept off their feet. In the competitions Wendy Bailey won the Westminster Rose for the Highest number of points in the Show and also The Frith Cup (Domestic), The Challenge Cup (Best Floral Decoration), The W.I. Cup (Best W.I. entry) and Wendy and Tony Moore shared The Betty Godwin Trophy (Heaviest weight of potato). There were a good number of children’s entries and Jake Gould won the Betty Godwin Cup (Highest points under 5) William Dike and St. Nicholas School shared The Junior Cup (Highest points 6-9 years). Carenza Howell (highest points 10-13 years). Georgina Dike won The Keith Dumper Memorial Cup for the Best Children’s Entry and also The Stalbridge Cup for the Best Children’s entry in photography. There were many other winners, including John Tinsley who won The Anglesey Bowl for Highest points in vegetables and also The Goblet for the best vegetable exhibit. Jenny Draycott won the William Dike Memorial Cup for the Annual Hanging Basket Competition, sponsored by Dike & Son. In all a very successful and rewarding afternoon".
Look at the map below to see where the Hall is in Stalbridge
