Spring Show - March 2019 meeting
While the judging was taking place, Margaret Ann Crawford gave a presentation on the clubs activities over the year. Then to the hall, where the scent of hyacinth greeted us and a magnificent display of spring colour. Such was the number of entries, that we will need more tables next year just to accommodate all.
Towards the end of 2019, every club member was given Muscari Blue Magic, Narcissius Peeping Jenny and Tulipa Calypso bulbs and invited to grow them and bring them along to the show. The club bulbs pictured below are being judged by Dr Stan da Prato.
Susan Crooks won the Peter Atkins trophy for the most points in the club bulbs section, with a first prize for both her tulips and daffodils. Susan is pictured here receiving the trophy from Peter.
The New Challenge Cup was awarded for the most first prize entries in the show. This year there were entries in 29 classes. Margaret Ann Crawford won the New Challenge Cup and is being presented with the trophy by Dr Stan da Prato.
Once again, one of the most popular classes was the arrangements of garden flowers under 10", these glorious arrangements are shown on the home page.
Growing Vegetables - February 2019 meeting
Our guest speaker for February was Ian Stocks, who is chair of the Scottish Branch of the National Vegetable Society.
Ian briefly introduced the National Vegetable Society and lots of information about the organisation can be found on their website www.nvsuk.org.uk .
After asking us all to first address the question "What do you want to grow?" the next question was "How are you going to grow them?". Ian introduced us to hydroponics and Thanet Earth, in Kent, at 220 acres, the largest greenhouse facility in the UK where tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are grown for the major supermarkets. More can be seen in this video, www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWKAY9mI0xc . Realistically soil and compost are still the most used growing mediums for amateur gardeners, although small scale hydroponic systems are becoming more readily available.
Ian shared his 37 years of experience with us covering all aspects of vegetable growing, from seeds, pests, diseases, composts, and looking after your soil. The afternoon concluded with many members asking questions.
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Our guest speaker for February was Ian Stocks, who is chair of the Scottish Branch of the National Vegetable Society.
Ian briefly introduced the National Vegetable Society and lots of information about the organisation can be found on their website www.nvsuk.org.uk .
After asking us all to first address the question "What do you want to grow?" the next question was "How are you going to grow them?". Ian introduced us to hydroponics and Thanet Earth, in Kent, at 220 acres, the largest greenhouse facility in the UK where tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are grown for the major supermarkets. More can be seen in this video, www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWKAY9mI0xc . Realistically soil and compost are still the most used growing mediums for amateur gardeners, although small scale hydroponic systems are becoming more readily available.
Ian shared his 37 years of experience with us covering all aspects of vegetable growing, from seeds, pests, diseases, composts, and looking after your soil. The afternoon concluded with many members asking questions.
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Is your houseplant really necessary? - January 2019 meeting
Our guest speakers were Dr Stanley da Prato and Andrew Hogarth. First Stanley shared his extensive knowledge with us, everything you ever wanted to know about houseplants and more! Moth orchids, peace lillys, cactii, african violets, were just some of the plants discussed. Also included were a few surprises, like water plants in an aquarium.
Andrew then gave a practical demonstration on propagating some houseplants, this included pelegonium stemcuttings, streptocarpus and begonia leaf cuttings
Andrew then gave a practical demonstration on propagating some houseplants, this included pelegonium stemcuttings, streptocarpus and begonia leaf cuttings
FESTIVE DECORATIONS- November 2018 meeting
Starting with a breadbasket full with foliage from her garden, Margaret Ann Crawford, our Club Chair, beautifully demonstrated how to use your plants to create festive arrangements and decorations, giving us all useful hints and ideas along the way.
As well as the traditional holly and ivy, many other plants were used including Skimmia leaves and berries; Hebe, Brachyglottis, Juniper, variegated Pittisporum and Cypressus foliage; white Rowan and Snowberry berries; dried seed heads including fir cones, allium eryngium. Whilst the majority of the materials were from the garden, Margaret Ann cleverly and creatively added silk flowers and other props to enhance the displays.
One hint we will all take away from the event was “How to make holly leaves look as if they are sprinkled with snow”. Take your holly sprig, mist with water using a spray, place the sprig in a plastic bag that is already half full of sifted white flour. Shake. When you remove the sprig it looks as if it is sprinkled with snow and can be placed directly in the arrangements.
By the end of the meeting, we had a selection of decorations including a door swag, wreath, candle decoration, Santa’s sleigh and Christmas tree
As well as the traditional holly and ivy, many other plants were used including Skimmia leaves and berries; Hebe, Brachyglottis, Juniper, variegated Pittisporum and Cypressus foliage; white Rowan and Snowberry berries; dried seed heads including fir cones, allium eryngium. Whilst the majority of the materials were from the garden, Margaret Ann cleverly and creatively added silk flowers and other props to enhance the displays.
One hint we will all take away from the event was “How to make holly leaves look as if they are sprinkled with snow”. Take your holly sprig, mist with water using a spray, place the sprig in a plastic bag that is already half full of sifted white flour. Shake. When you remove the sprig it looks as if it is sprinkled with snow and can be placed directly in the arrangements.
By the end of the meeting, we had a selection of decorations including a door swag, wreath, candle decoration, Santa’s sleigh and Christmas tree
Members photos, Autumn Colour in the Garden
AUTUMN SHOW
North Berwick Gardening Club held its first indoor meeting under its new name, when a large number of members and friends took part in the Autumn Show. This attracted over 100 entries in traditional classes with the addition of baking and a children’s section. While the judges were making their difficult decisions, club vice-
chair Cathie Wright conducted a well-received gardening quiz which proved both entertaining and informative
The trophy winners were Mary Brown for her indoor plant, Peter Atkins for first prize in the class with the most entries, Margaret Ann Crawford for the most points overall and Claudia Gehrig for the best in show. All shown here receiving their prizes from judge, Dr Stan da Prato.
AUTUMN SHOW
North Berwick Gardening Club held its first indoor meeting under its new name, when a large number of members and friends took part in the Autumn Show. This attracted over 100 entries in traditional classes with the addition of baking and a children’s section. While the judges were making their difficult decisions, club vice-
chair Cathie Wright conducted a well-received gardening quiz which proved both entertaining and informative
The trophy winners were Mary Brown for her indoor plant, Peter Atkins for first prize in the class with the most entries, Margaret Ann Crawford for the most points overall and Claudia Gehrig for the best in show. All shown here receiving their prizes from judge, Dr Stan da Prato.
First prize in the Children's section: Iona Saddler's winning Garden flowers and foliage in a jam jar
