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All Muck and Magic. The Answer Lies in the Soil by Geoff Hodge

Geoff Hodge a Garden writer, broadcaster & horticultural consultant gave a highly practical talk to the club:   There are several types of garden fertilisers – the main ones are either liquid or granular. Liquid feeds include Tomorite and Phostrogen. Any fertiliser has to be absorbed as a liquid so if  you are using one which […]

Easy Ways to Better Gardening by Adam Pascoe

Adam Pascoe a gardening journalist, whom has edited Gardeners world and Waitrose Gardeners magazine, a photographer, broadcaster, horticultural consultant and presenter! Travelled all the way via Zoom from Peterborough and gave some great advice of easier gardening…. Suggestions for geraniums: magnificum and Rozanne Astrantia ‘Roma’ Helianthus Lemon Queen Obedient plant ‘Rose bouquet’ – tall Shasta […]

The ups and downs of public speaking by Ray Broughton

40 years ago I gave my first talk! Ray our club president gave some great anecdotes of his experiences during his illustrious speaking career so far and reminded us all about what you can and cannot put onto your garden: No Milk, vinegar or salt. In 2020, I’ve looked back over my 10,000 photographic slides […]

Evening of Gardeners’ Questions Answered by Steve Bradley

Why do plum trees fail to come into flower? Possibilities:- Pigeons are eating the blossom. Most plum trees need pollinating; the exception is the Victoria plum  which is self pollinating.  A commercial pollinator may be needed. Feed the tree roots via a drip line at flowering time with Sulphate of Potash, How do I grow […]

How The National Trust Manage Stockbridge Down and Marsh by Catherine Hadler

Catherine Hadler, an Area Ranger for The National Trust, spoke to the members of The Littleton and Harestock Gardening Club about the Trust’s management of Stockbridge Down and Marsh. Catherine manages both, working with a team of conservation volunteers. The Down was gifted to the Trust by Rosalind Hill in 1947, named in a plaque […]

Over Wintering Fuchsias by Derek Dexter

Derek Dexter, of Wokingham Fuchsia Club gave a talk on these varied and beautiful plants to Club members. Since 1999, when he started growing and showing fuchsias Derek has won many trophies pursuing his hobby, as he describes it. He demonstrated successful over-wintering of the plants, first cutting down one by half, then stripping off […]

Herbaceous Perennials by Rosemary Hardy

Herbaceous Perennials was the subject of a talk given to Littleton and Harestock Gardening Club by Rosemary Hardy, horticulturalist, owner of Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants, and winner of many Chelsea Gold Awards over 25 years. In her book of that name Rosy tells the story of those years, showing how she and husband Rob, “and […]

Native Orchids by Leif Bersweden

“Native Orchids” was the subject of the talk given by Leif Bersweden Phd  a botanist whose book “The Orchid Hunter” : a young botanist’s search for happiness” was inspired by his boundless, engaging enthusiasm for “our most charismatic plant.” Fascinated by plants, from childhood, he stayed in this country for his gap year, rather than […]

Pests and Diseases by Ray Broughton

For his annual lecture Ray Broughton, our Club President, chose as his subject Pests and Diseases. Members had been asked to bring examples which Ray studied with a high powered microscope, identified, and advised treatment. Such was the strength and clarity of the special microscope that images, transferred simultaneously to a large screen, were presented […]