The Garden Club was formed by Linda Biggs during the Spring of 2000. Initially the club counted 8 members which has grown over the years to around 30 today. During September 2004 the club became officially part of ACFAA.
Meetings or visits take place approximately every 4-5 weeks. The meetings are held on Fridays at the Centre de Loisiers, Eymet at 10:30 hrs from September to the end of June. Our meetings generally include a Problem Corner, a question and answer slot where everyone has the opportunity to raise any gardening related mattter and, perhaps a short presentation on a
specific subject given by a club member. Members are encouraged to make a 10-15 min. presentation on their favourite gardening subject or ideas brought back from holidays.
Any member attending the meetings has the opportunity to ask questions or seek help and advice from the group. In most cases, by drawing on our collective experience, we can usually come up with some positive ideas. The meetings are also an occasion to exchange or give away surplus plants , seedlings or garden sundries.
From time to time outsiders are persuaded to give up their valuable time and talk to us on a variety of subjects. We have enjoyed listening to growers of hazel nuts, vines and herbs detailing their activities month by month throughout the year.
Visits to gardens and other places of interest also take place. These have included the green-houses belonging to the town of Bergerac which are not normally open to the public. The Jardins de l'Imaginaire at Terrasson created by Kathryn Gustafson, an orchid reserve near Riberac, Unicoque hazel nut processing facility at Cancon, Les Jardins de Sardy, where the owner insisted on giving us not only a tour of the gardens but his private chai as well.
If you are interested in joining the club please contact
John Wells: tel no. 05 53 73 27 42 or email John Wells.
Springtime Activity - Notes from John
Plant exchange and Picnic at Lauzun
As mentioned at the last meeting and outlined in the gardening events note sent out, the picnic and plant exchange is this coming Friday (2nd May). I think a rendezvous time of 11 am is about right. Format is the same as last year. ie bring a picnic and plants to exchange. The exchange process was a bit of a bunfight last time as it was the first time we have done it. So this time I suggest that initially excahnge is person to person negotiation and say at the end of the picnic any plants left over are put together and then its a free for all.
The event is weather dependent so I will take a weather check on Thursday and send a note out if its necessary to cancel.
Irises :- I have been asked about irises. The Irises are either out or just about out. For those of you who would like to increase your collection or get some unique colours i would recommend L'Iriseraie at La Plume near Agen. It is free in May when a large number are in bloom. It is easy to find on the map, and last year i bought a stuning black iris called A Black Tie Affair and a matching gold iris called Louis d'Or.
Gaujacq:- The plant fair at Gaujacq is on the 10th and 11th of May. Its a long way, about a 2 to 3 hour drive.If there are sufficient numbers it may be possible to hire a coach. Please e mail me if you would like to go by coach within the next three days and i will see if it is affordble. A 50 seater costs in the region of 700 euros So if it is full it will be 14 euros each or there about. If I dont get sufficient numbers i will see if a plan B is a possibility. ie either a car or a minibus.
Plant fair at Neurvic sur l'Isle, west of the Bergerac/Pergeux road. This is a reminder that the fair is this coming Sunday. Directions already suppplied but if anybody cant find them let me know.
Finally, as you are sowing your summer crops, put in a few extra. The ACFAA BBQ is coming up in June and we were asked if members would be able to supply surplus vegetables/salad for the committee to use for the BBQ. Details to come nearer the date.
Reports
Information Sheets
These are in Acrobat format, click title to link to them.
Quiz 30 Mar 07 Questions only
KSU Pruning Fruit Trees
MYCORRHYZAL FUNGI
Peach tree pruning 1
RHS Top 10 jobs MARCH
Veg gardeners April Jobs
RHS TOP 10 JOBS FOR MAY
ROSE PIERRE DE RONSARD
Colour in Design
Convallaria majalis
27 April Quiz
Pruning Tomatoes
Top Ten Tips April