In June we had a very lively and interesting talk from John Negus on Shrubs of Distinction. Our members did very well in identifying most shrubs and we didn’t let ourselves down. Our next talk takes place on Wednesday 2nd July at The Vale Room – 7.30pm. Our speaker will be Malcolm Brownsword giving a talk on the Butterflies and Orchids of the Upper Thames Region.
I’ve noticed a vast change in various allotment sites – bamboo canes are appearing in abundance awaiting the runner beans and it looks as though everyone is going to have a bumper crop of new potatoes. Let’s hope the weather holds and doesn’t ruin all our hard work. My strawberry blossom has converted into fruit and all being well I should have a good crop. Update on my greengage tree on the allotment – I have more than one greengage this year (so far). Despite the wind, the fruit survived and I have quite a few on the tree – it’s amazing how hard they are to see, let’s hope the birds don’t eat them before I do!
You will be pleased to hear that I’ve had plenty of offers of ‘old’ tools for the display at the forthcoming Annual Show in July. In fact, I have a couple that I think people will wonder what they were used for!! Don’t forget to call or e-mail me if you have any tools you think would be good for the display.
Talking about the Summer Show – it’s fast approaching (Saturday 12th July). Karen and myself gave a light-hearted presentation to the Blewbury W.I. recently and I think we may have a few extra entries – particularly in the cookery section. Looks as though VPA members may have a bit more competition this year!! Don’t forget if you want a Show Schedule, pop into Blewbury Post Office or e-mail me on VPA.in.bl.up@gmail.com
DID YOU KNOW?
With larger seeds like those of the broad bean or the pea, there is a simple, age-old method for determining their quality: fill a tray with water and put in the seeds. The best seeds will sink, the inferior ones will float.
How about this? The Persian word for enclosure was pairidaeza, which became paradeisos in Ancient Greek and eventually park in English.
Happy gardening
Eileen