Our Gardening Group met on the afternoon of Wednesday 22 October 2025 to discuss some of the conundrums that face gardeners at this time of year.

To sweeten the task and make it slightly less daunting, fresh figs from a member’s garden where a second crop is being enjoyed were available to the members.

Opinions differ on when and if dead-heading hydrangeas is a good idea, but we were given guidance on the cut-off date after which it is too late to undertake the task. There was detailed guidance on dahlias, cyclamens, painted heathers, hellebores and primulas.

We also looked into one possible replacement for box bushes – based on Ilex Crenata or Japanese Holly. There were warnings however if there are pets in the household. We had a presentation following a visit by two members to Barnsdale Gardens in Rutland where Geoff Hamilton had made many of the Gardeners World television programmes, and we finished with a plan for preventing slugs getting going in the spring.

Our next Gardening Club Meeting will be on Wednesday 26 November 2025 starting at 2pm.