Friday, 25 March 2016

GROWING TOMATOES........

Here is an interesting idea from the US that you may like to try. Let us know how you get on if you decide to give it a go. 
You can also see how to do it in the video in the post below.

"If you’re like me, you’ve probably thrown out far too many vegetables than you’d like to admit because you let them overripe in your fridge. But if you have some old tomatoes sitting around, there’s a better alternative to throwing them away! Apparently, in only a few days, you can turn those tomatoes into seedlings and actually grow new tomatoes! In the video below, The Wannabe Homesteader shows us how to grow your own tomatoes using a pot, some soil, and an old tomato. All you need to do is cut up that tomato into one quarter-inch thick slices and place them on a pot of compost. Cover them up with some potting soil and water them sporadically. Within 1-2 weeks, you’ll have 50-60 tomato seedlings! Don’t forget to share this great money saving trick with your friends!"

........GROWING TOMATOES

Wednesday, 16 March 2016

Scotney Castle

Julie has been on one of her excursions on a chilly March day. This time a visit to Scotney Castle in Kent.
The water really does look cold and despite the splash of colour from the daffodils, make you want to look forward to warmer days.


MOTHERS DAY AT WISLEY

To celebrate Mothers Day, Karen was taken to one of her favorite places, RHS Wisley Gardens, in Surrey. Here are a few photos of the occasion, including a couple of shots of the butterflies:
Karen with her daughter






Thursday, 3 March 2016

MOLE PROBLEM...

At our meeting on Wednesday night (2 March) one of our members expressed her distress at the sudden appearance of mole hills in her garden, and is at a loss as to quite how to manage the problem.
The photo above shows the extent of the outbreak, together with a visiting pheasant, who has come along to inspect what is going on. It is not thought he offered much assistance with a resolution.

Nevertheless, we think the photo is terrific and worth sharing.
However, if you do know of a solution do get in touch and we will pass it on. email: lodhsgardens@gmail.com



Sunday, 28 February 2016

OUR MARCH MEETING AND SPEAKER

Here is a little of the background to our speaker on Wednesday 2 March. Her subject is "Take a Fresh Look at the Front Garden"

Alison Marsden has gardened in Kent for more than 20 years, first in Sevenoaks and now in Southborough. She loves exploring new designs and planting ideas and recently oversaw the landscaping of her own family garden after moving house.
Alison passed the Royal Horticultural Society’s General Certificate exam with Distinction many years ago and has continued to study plants and garden design.  In 2011 she passed the newly introduced RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Health and Applied Propagation and in 2012 she passed the RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting.  She is also qualified as an adult education tutor and is able to pass on her knowledge to beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
Through Gardening by Design Alison combines horticultural science with practical experience to explain to you the Why as well as the How of gardening. You will not be ‘swamped by science’ but you will learn the key principles that turn frustration into success and enable you to go on gardening long after the session is over.

We also have a a Pop-Up Competition relating directly to this topic. Members are asked to bring along to the meeting a favorite photograph they may have of their front garden. The best will be judged by those present at the meeting.

This is an addition to our usual monthly
competition, where you are encouraged to bring along a plant or flower from your window sill or garden.

Thursday, 14 January 2016

JANUARY VISIT TO KEW GARDENS

Julie, one of our members has been on a visit to Kew Gardens and sends us a few photos, for us all to enjoy, that show a variety of colour, from different sources, to  brighten a dull January day .






Friday, 1 January 2016

An Exotic (and Warm) Place

Below are a few garden photos from one of our members, Val Sampson, taken on her trip to northern India, and in particular Kashmir.
Mogal Gardens, Dal Lake, Shrinager
On the Dal Lake