Our Gardening Group met on Wednesday 25 March 2026 for another seasonal session explaining some of the techniques that can be used at the end of winter to wake up dormant plants.

As well as a demonstration on how to clean patios without using expensive chemicals, we had a demonstration on how to wake up geraniums (pelargoniums) which have been over-wintered in sheds and garages. There was also a great discussion on the members’experiences of growing annual border plants from seed – both purchased and self-saved.

The gardener can easily spend a lot of money on plants each year, and there was a demonstration on how these costs can be controlled and reduced, including where to find the special offers on bedding.

We finished with a warning about a disease affecting olive trees in Europe. Xylella Fastidiosa was described in detail and the consequences demonstrated by a member of staff from the Royal Horticultural Society. The problem is really serious in South West Europe, and this was an important topic.

Our next session will include a visit to Crews Hill for lunch and plant shopping on 15 April 2026 at 12:00 noon.