Practical Gardening group meeting on 15 August

We met again again in Brenda’s lovely garden. Eleven members of the group attended this second meeting, with others having given apologies due to holidays etc. After introductions the group split into three groups to discuss what we would all like to cover over the next twelve months

Suggestions for further discussion over coming months included:

* Bulbs

* Dahlias and chrysanthemums

* Plants which will survive sustained downpours

* How to eradicate decorative grasses which root underground and plants such as horsetail,  ground elder, berberis  and ivy which have spread and need to be removed

* Household plants

* Growing vegetables

* Hanging baskets and  containers including growing herbs in containers

* Compost

* Medical uses of plants

* Growing seeds and taking cuttings

* What not to have in the garden

* Handy tools

* Garden design and making our own gardens more interesting “maximum beauty , minimum maintenance”

* Spring (and other) pruning

* Christmas decorations

* Soil types – including testing our own soils

* Improvisation eg the use of tin cans as planters

* Winter garden preparation and care

* Jobs in the garden this month (each meeting)

The group agreed we would look at these suggestions further in coming meetings  and also that the feasibility of getting ‘expert’ speakers would be explored if needed. (Sunnyfield Nursery Hightown, plus a gardener known to Roberta were suggested as possibilities)

We agreed to share garden magazines and books, plants, cuttings, seeds and garden tools/equipment if needed. Also to potentially sell cuttings, plants etc to raise money for group funds and resources

Maghull U3A garden plot

A substantial plot of land has been secured for the use of our group at Hudson Primary School which some members of the group are interested in working. They have been working very hard to clear the plot of weeds and prepare it for planting but this is proving to be particularly arduous work. It was agreed that help from others would be helpful.  Brenda has now approached Maghull in Bloom and will update at our next meeting

Maureen (Ward) will update on the plot at each meeting

Future meetings

Monthly two hour meetings will be held at Maghull Parish Hall, (corner of Damfield Lane and Deyes Lane- car parking available  at St Andrews Church  Damfield Lane). The first such meeting will be on 12 September from 10 to 12 am with subsequent meetings on the first Monday of the month. Future schedule:

12 September

•  bulbs for gardens and containers (all to research)
•  what has grown well/not so well in 2016 and why
•  what should be grown on ‘our’ plot

3 October 

• garden design
• preparing the garden for winter

7 November

5 December

New Year lunch in January (no meeting)

6 February

New members

It was agreed that the Chair would be asked on 16 August  to encourage  U3A members to join our group

Tip for August (from Maureen Ward)

Carry essential garden hand tools around in a small canvas bag tied around your waist. This keeps everything to hand and prevents hand tools being misplaced around the garden.