29th June

Thanks to all the members who generously contributed to the plant stall at the Village Fete, and particularly to Derek & Emma for manning the stand. Almost £100 was raised towards an excellent cause. 

Those plants that didn’t sell then went to the School Fete, so we were able to help two pillars of the village!

A couple of members have recommended Buscot Park, a late 18th century house, set in enchanting landscaped grounds at Faringdon, Oxford, SN7 8BU.  

It is a National Trust property, open in the afternoons (2pm – 6pm), and is a 45 minute drive from Chilton Foliat.

Just because the main planting season is behind us, there’s plenty that can still be started off.  Time to plant (from seed) gherkins, fennel and sprouting turnip, for example.  

Try some mixed microgreens, and some other salad crops as part of successional planting (radish, lettuce, spinach, basil, coriander, rocket).

1st May

Visits

We had a lovely morning out at a very well supported to Yew Tree Garden centre. They had a huge selection of seedlings and plants, and we came away with full boots!

The Shalbourne Plant sale was very good, and I got some nice plants and veggies at excellent prices.

Liz and Peter Camfield have been to Cerney House near Cirencester, and report that it was lovely, and will be even prettier when their roses are out and the Laburnum arch is in flower. They have a huge kitchen garden and an ‘honesty’ tearoom’.

Diary Events

The Village Fête will be held in the churchyard on Sunday 8^th June, between 2pm and 5pm. The Forkers will have a stand where we will sell our surplus plants and veggie, with all the proceeds going to the Church Fund. ‘Unfortunately’ Nick will be away doing some garden research in, er, the South of France, but Derek has very kindly agreed to man (or is that ‘person’?) the stall in my absence. If you have any spare plants or veggies that you could donate, please bring them along, as close to opening time as you can, so that Derek can sell them.  Please make sure that your your items are labelled, so that people know what they are getting!

The diary is attached, but as a reminder, June’s Coffee & Cake has been postponed until June 18th due to a funeral.

I know this will interest a few members; there are several rare plant s sales coming up:2025 Rare Plant Fair Dates – Rare Plant Fair

If you know of any upcoming events / shows / gardens / nurseries etc. that may be of interest to other Forkers, please send Nick an email, and they will be added to the diary.

Chilton Foliat Open Gardens

If you haven’t let Vicky know about your garden availability for the Open Gardens Day in July, please do so, as she is finalising the list.

30th March

Plant Sale

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 2nd April at 1000 – 1100 at the Village Hall Coffee & Cake morning. There will be a plant / seed swap (as well as book swap) at this meeting. It might be a bit early for swapping seedlings or plants, but if you have used half a packet of seeds that might expire before next year, why not bring them along a make a swap?

We had a good outing to Penwood earlier in March, and came back with a boot full of good value, good quality plants, shrubs and a tree! Next outing 16th April (see below).

Trip to Kew Gardens

Barnes Coaches have arranged a visit to Kew Gardens on 29th May, £52, entry is included. Pick up is at 09.55 am from the Bear Hotel in Hungerford, and there will be plenty of time there to explore, return at about 7 pm. Book through Barnes Coaches if you fancy the day out.

New trees planted

The Parish Council have planted some new trees in Popham Close, which I will photograph 2 or 3 times a year to mark and record their growth.

17th March

Plant Sale

We are hoping to have a table for selling plants in the churchyard during the Open Gardens day.

This will go alongside a welcome glass of Pimms!

So any offers nearer the time will be great.

Ronna

Book Swap

The Book Swap got off to a excellent start. It will be available again at the next Village Hall Coffee & Cake meeting on Wednesday 2nd April, so you can bring any surplus gardening books you have, and swap them for something else. Our ‘bookcase’ is the one in the middle.

Plant Swap

Ali has kindly agreed for us to try some plant swapping (as well as book swapping), for the next two coffee mornings on 2nd April and 3rd May. We’ll have a separate table (no tablecloth!) so we can bring in any spare or surplus seedlings or plants. Please make sure that every pot or tray is labelled so that members know what they’re getting!!

Wisley

Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough support for our trip to RHS Wisley on 7^th April, so it has been cancelled.

RHS Malvern Show & BBC Gardeners’ World Live

The Ramsbury Horticultural Society have also cancelled their two trips out, which were to be operated by Barnes coaches. However, these trips are still operating, but not with a Ramsbury pickup. Book directly through the Barnes website:

Malvern Show – 11^th May, £56, pickup in Swindon

Kew Gardens – 29^th May, £49, pickup from the Bear Hotel in Hungerford at 0955

BBC Gardeners World, NEC – 15^th June, £55, pick up in Swindon

Hampton Court Palace Show – 3^rd, 4^th & 5^th July, £69, pickup at Chieveley at 0830