Ablaze with Colour

Autumn has properly descended with countryside lanes full of fallen leaves, acorns and fruit. There has been an abundance of everything this season with baskets full of apples, pears and quinces piled on the roadside with generous offers to help yourself. I hate waste but at some point, there is only so much chutney, apple crumble and apple sauce you can make. Having said that they do make wonderful gifts. I have reached the stage where I am ready to ‘put the garden to bed’ in a manner of speaking. I enjoy taking out the spent tomato vines, beans, courgette and squash plants and letting the soil breath, soak up needed rainfall and regenerate. Green manures and mulching your beds now are an excellent way of helping improve your soil. The dry summer and early autumn have meant planting new herbaceous plants, shrubs and even winter vegetables was put on hold. Perhaps now is the time to bravely address any issues in your borders and start afresh.

I have ordered bulbs to replenish certain areas and add some early colour in other borders. I have given up completely on tulips in my borders thanks to last year’s complete decimation by badgers and squirrels. I honestly think tulips are their delicacy. Even pots were attacked but I will try covering the pots with heavy mesh and topping with more soil and gravel to deter them. Fingers crossed.  Interestingly enough our most recent speaker suggested that we should all be treating tulips as annuals and starting afresh each year.

Last week the Society held its AGM in Hascombe, with over 40 members in attendance. The business portion of the evening included a summary of the year’s activities and financial results as presented by the Chair and Treasurer. This year has been an extraordinary year with lots of events to celebrate the Society’s Centenary. We have built a strong community over the past few years and it was lovely to see so many members in attendance at our garden visits and horticultural shows. In addition to the normal calendar of talks, plant sale and garden visits, this year we hosted several exceptional events. Highlights would certainly include the open gardens at Dunsfold and Hascombe. We would like to thank all the owners that opened their gardens to us and made us feel so welcome. Not only were these visits a feast to the eye but they also provided the ideal environment for members to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. What a delight to realise we have so many wonderful gardens in our own communities. Our horticultural shows continue to attract new exhibitors and record-breaking number of entries. The quality of the exhibits is incredibly high. We hope that the thrill of receiving a first-place certificate or cup also entices people to continue to join in the fun. None of these events would be so successful without the support of our Committee, patrons and members. Thank you all!

At the AGM, attending members approved the expenditure of up to £200 for bulbs at St Peter’s Church in Hascombe. Volunteers at Hascombe have their work cut out for them planting over 400 daffodil and narcissus bulbs. In addition, members approved the donation of £500 to either Perennial or RHS New Shoots in honour of its Centenary from proceeds raised by ticket sales for the Dunsfold Open Garden days. Perennial is the national charity supporting those people employed in the horticultural sector and their families, providing wellbeing support, health, housing, benefits, etc. RHS New Shoots is a national programme launched at RHS Gardens Wisley and Bridgewater during Green Careers Week 2023 to increase the number and diversity of people entering horticultural careers.

All of our current officers and committee members remain in post. We are grateful for all their hardwork on behalf of the Society. Last year's minutes were approved as were the financial accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025. Membership fees also remain unchanged at £10 per person for the year. Please note that membership fees will be due in January and we will be accepting membership renewals at the Christmas party in December.