Roehampton Garden Society


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Behind the Privet Hedge

A book by Michael Gilson

This book is about one of the main founders of the RGS, Richard Sudell.
Sudell was a pioneer of suburban gardening who has now had a book written about him and his considerable (and often overlooked) influence on one of the ways our nation revitalised itself after the terrors and destruction of the First World War.
As we showed in our Centenary Exhibition at Putney Library in June 2022, Richard Sudell not only lived on the Roehampton (now Dover House) Estate, but he also encouraged the tenants of the new houses to convert their scrappy garden patches (and the allotments) to create open spaces to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers.
“Behind the Privet Hedge” is published by Reaktion Books in May, priced £16.95. It is available to preorder: https://reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/behind-the-privet-hedge
There is also an interesting article in the April edition of “Garden Answers” about the book and our famous pioneering founder.

Jackie Savage.


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All about Bees – can you help?

We watch them with pleasure, hope that they work hard for us to be effective pollinators – but can you tell which is which? There are more than 27 varieties of bumblebee!

The RHS is collecting data about bumblebees feeding habits early in the year through their ‘Bumbles on Blooms’ project. If you have a plant that is a constant food supply for bees do try to let them know through this survey. They are asking us to submit photos of a bee on the flower – and identify the bee!

Recognising our wild bees is easy to begin with – just 8 main types to choose from – so – try this starter video from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust to begin.

There’s more good information from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, who provide free charts and lots of information. For instance, can you tell the difference between a bumblebee and a honey bee? This video will help. – and it’s something your family might like to know!

The RHS say:

Information gathered by the RHS Bumbles on Blooms project will help us better understand which garden plants are most visited by bumblebees in spring, helping us improve our RHS Plants for Pollinator lists and give the best advice to gardeners planting for bumblebees. We’re also interested to discover if factors such as flower colour and how urban or rural the site is influence bumblebee plant choice.

If you can help with this project find out more at https://uk.inaturalist.org/projects/bumbles-on-blooms/


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April Plot Inspections – what you need to know

There will be a plot inspection this month.

The purpose of these inspections is to ensure plots are prepared to a reasonable standard, ready for cultivation. At this time of year the team would expect your plot to:

  • Have weeds removed
  • Have the soil prepared ready for cultivation
  • Have fruit trees – apple and pear – pruned
  • Have no excessive amounts of rubbish
  • Have the grass cut on the paths between plots. Please do not use weed killer on paths
  • Make sure there are no obstructions to the paths

For your information:

  • The normal width for paths on your plot is about 300mm (1 ft) between plots and 450mm (18 inches) for communal paths
  • perimeter plots only – 450mm (18 inches) path against neighbours’ fences. Needs to be easy to clear to enable neighbours to maintain their fences.

 If your plot is found to be badly neglected, we will contact you individually after the inspection. With many people on our waiting list we must ensure that allotment plots are not being wasted.

If there are any temporary circumstances which are preventing you being able to cultivate your plot please let us know by email to rgs.sw15@gmail.com giving your phone number so that the site secretary can contact you.

Site 2:                                          Susan Bennett
Site 3: plots 50 to 100              Vivien Fowler
Site 3: plots 101 to 127               Richard Standen


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It’s time for softwood herb cuttings

There’s a lot of satisfaction in having a variety of herbs around – not relying on the supermarkets. Now is the right time to take cuttings from Rosemary, Thyme and Sage plants to last throughout the year. The RGS recommends a ‘plastic bag’ greenhouse to shield cutting from draughts, particularly for ‘window sill’ growers.

Soft growth on Rosemary – ideal for cuttings.
Sage cuttings – growing well at 4 weeks old.
Cuttings thriving in a plastic bag ‘greenhouse’
  1. Prepare a pot with moist, well drained compost – a mix of peat free with grit or vermiculite, or a specialist cutting compost.
  2. Take short cuttings, 5-10 cm long from the soft new growth, remove lower leaves and put at least 3 cm into the soil. Use a rooting hormone if you wish, but most cuttings will take at this time of year without this. You can put 4 or 5 cuttings around the side of a single pot.
  3. Water well and allow to drain.
  4. Place the pot in a plastic bag which will seal at the top. This isn’t always necessary if you have a greenhouse or cold-frame. Close the bag partially – leave a small ventilation hole.
  5. Leave in a warm place – greenhouse or cold-frame is ideal, but a windowsill works. Watch for too much moisture build up – open the bag to avoid this.
  6. After 2-3 weeks remove the bag and leave in a sheltered, temperate, place. Remember to water and you should see new growth within a few weeks.


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Counting Hedgehogs

The latest Gardener’s World Magazine annual Hedgehog survey has reported a small increase in numbers. This was the first year that hedgehog numbers have slightly increased, so could hedgehogs could be making a comeback?
There is an increase in awareness of the hedgehog’s decline and more gardeners trying to help, but we need better data on where they survive.

The Big Hedgehog Map tells us that 92 holes and 549 hedgehogs were sighted in our area. Do check out this splendid resource. If you want to join the hedgehog monitoring community you can sign up to register your garden and start counting.

If you’re not sure if your garden hosts a hedgehog read this advice from the Wildlife trusts – lots of help!


On a cautionary note, Fay Vass, CEO of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, warned that ‘Valuable as the Gardeners’ World survey is, we need to remember that these figures are only a snapshot. Populations change year to year, and these findings might not necessarily represent the underlying trend.’ Data from the BHPS’s 2022 research into the state of Britain’s hedgehogs gave ‘cause for cautious optimism’ but showed that urban populations are still much lower than they should be.


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The RGS joins the National Garden Scheme

The RGS has joined the National Gardens Scheme.
This medical and gardening charity raises funds from their ‘Open Gardens’ scheme. Originally set up in 1927 to support district nurses, the National Garden Scheme now raises millions of pounds for nursing and health charities each year.
They also support charities working in gardens and health, grant bursaries to help community gardening projects and support gardeners at the start of their career.
Many of you may have visited local gardens which open as part of this scheme.
Here is our entry on the NGS Website.

Site 3 will be open to the public as part of the Open Gardens Scheme on 21st July.


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Pests and Diseases: how to manage them

There was standing room only in our Store on Sunday 18 February when our guest, Sarah Foss (M.Hort.) engaged RGS members with her talk on Pests and Diseases and how to Manage them. Sarah works for Ecolocal, a community run charity based in Carshalton. She also has a very large allotment and is an examiner for the RHS. Thanks to Georgina O’ Reilly for this summary of her interesting talk. Read it here.

More help with managing slugs can be found here on the RHS website.

Sarah is clear about the need for a balance of allotment creatures and the damage that pesticides can do. Please note that, in 2022, metaldehyde was banned in slug pellets – please be careful what you buy and use.

Metaldehyde ban

In September 2020 the government announced the withdrawal of metaldehyde slug control, with product sales ending in March 2021 and remaining stocks to be used up or disposed of by 31st March 2022. The withdrawal was planned following advice from the UK expert committee on pesticides and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who consider that metaldehyde poses an unacceptable risk to birds and mammals. An initial withdrawal in 2019 was overturned due to problems with incorrect implementation.

Product names for slug pellets for home garden use containing metaldehyde that will be affected by this withdrawal include: Ultimate Slug and Snail Killer, Deadfast Slug Killer, Doff Slug Killer Blue Mini Pellets and Westland Eraza Slug and Snail Killer. Please be aware that these and other product names may be relaunched using ferric phosphate as the main ingredient instead, and check any products you have stored to make sure they are used up or disposed of safely by the end of March 2022.


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Nesting boxes – specialist designs

Can you help a bird by putting up a nesting box this spring? You may welcome a DIY project this winter and our allotmenteers excel at creating items from spare wood or pallets. Nest box design is now an art – with specialist box shapes available for more unusual birds as well as our robins tits, sparrows.

robin and wren
barn owl
great tit
kestrel

But – what type of birds do you see that might appreciate a warm roost – and do you have a suitable place to attach a box? Urban cats can make life a misery for a misplaced nest. There’s useful information available from the British Trust for Ornithology here, with instructions, cutting plans and advice – make a box for robin, wren, blue tit, great tit, and even 3 types of owl! They have produced a printable pdf all about beginning with nest boxes here.

There’s also much good advice on nest boxes available from CJ Wildlife here: – well worth a read.


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The scents of Winter

One of the joys of a sunny winter day is to catch a hint of perfume from our winter flowering shrubs.
One of the most beautiful has to be the viburnum. This lovely, tall, but easily controlled shrub flowers on bare branches and is a joy both for us and early bumblebees – an excellent early source of nectar for them. Find out more about growing viburnum.

One of the best for perfume is a humble evergreen shrub called sarcococca. In general a spreading shrub, some varieties will survive well in a pot near a pathway. Here’s more about growing them..
If you’re looking to enjoy the scents of winter, both of the varieties below thrive in Wandsworth gardens, and Kew is famous for its viburnum collection…

Viburnum Bodnantense Dawn
Breakfast for an early bumblebee
Sarcococca confusa


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Winter pruning can be daunting

Pruning a fruit tree takes a steady nerve – and we all feel we may not be getting it right.
Apples pears and quince should be winter pruned – although most other fruit trees such as apricot and cherry are pruned in summer.
The RHS has a website page called Pruning made Easy, see here, aimed at the beginner.

There’s even a short video on rejuvenating an older tree (on Youtube here) and advice about checking the bark for disease too.

Your tree may also be helped by a winter oil wash and grease bands low on the trunk (both stocked in the Store). These help reduce disease and pests. Winter is the right time to catch up with pruning your apple and pear trees – so pick a sunny day, take courage and prune!


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Exotic vegetables from seed

Crop planning and seed sowing time begins for 2024. Are you planning to grow any of these?

Dudi, Callaloo, Tree Spinach, Lai, Papaya, Hamburg Parsley, Quinoa, Fat Hen, Loofah, Cow Peas, Chickpeas, Kiwis, Guava, Lentils, Amaranth, Chinese Stem Lettuce, Fenugreek, Coriander, African Horned Cucumber, Yacon, Kabo ….

There’s much interest in the new, often easy to grow, exotic vegetables and salads. Some are useful to fill a gap between more traditional produce, some just for exotic variety! Here’s an article from Bite Sized Gardening which covers forty unusual vegetables to grow in an English garden !

Shungiku
Chinese violet Cress
Giant Bolivian Achocha

The Real Seed Company is a small seed business in Wales. In addition to their heritage and heirloom seed varieties their website is a mine of information about how these exotics grow in our climate. Check out their unusual salad veg, their rare and unusual tubers section for Oca and Yacon, and Cucumbers, Achocha and similar things for unusual Cucmbers, Cucamelon and the Giant Bolivian Achocha!

Their seedling gallery can be useful when the plant labels go astray….


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Gardening with Children

We know that family gardening is great fun for children, and the RHS Campaign for School Gardening is helping some to have gardening experience in school. Early reports find that school gardening is proving excellent support for their mental health. Granard School enjoy their visits to our allotments.


The Little Green Fingers website from the BBC contains some lovely short videos to show children how to tackle jobs in the garden. Watch them here.

if you’d like more ideas for child friendly garden projects try this selection from Gardener’s World magazine

A new book on children’s gardening is included in the RHS ten top gardening books of 2023..


The No-Dig Children’s Gardening Book by Charles Dowding is published by Welbeck.

See the complete 2023 top ten gardening book list from the RHS here