SEPTEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER
August was a busy month here at Fieldcrest with plenty to do in the garden and of course our “Baking with herbs” class. We were fully booked and had a great mix of attendees who were a pleasure to have with us and hopefully learnt a lot! Thanks to my daughter, Sarah, for helping out.
I also attended Neston market this month with my scented plants and herbs, which was very enjoyable and nice chatting to all the customers.
This month I will be taking plants to West Kirby Farmers Market, (Saturday 28th September 9am-1pm), and to Neston Earth Festival (Sunday 22nd September 12-4pm). I hope to see some of you there.
After a wonderful first summer, the nursery here at Fieldcrest will close on Friday 13th September for the winter. Come along on Friday for a cuppa and your last chance to buy plants, herbs, seeds and cut flowers before the Spring.
PLANTING THE BORDERS
September is a very good time to review, move and replant areas in the garden. I have been planning my borders for next year; trying to decide how to plant up the herb/flower garden and also sow some annual seeds for the cutting garden next year.
If anyone has any Pelargoniums, fruit Salvias, or Violas you may want to take cuttings of these now.
It is also the time to be buying and planting spring flowering bulbs. I usually try to plant out some scented narcissi, alliums, crocus and anemones fairly soon, but leave the tulips until November in order to reduce tulip blight.
We also need to be cutting our hedges. As I write, hubby Paul is in the garden cutting the box hedges, the hornbeam hedges, the hawthorn hedges – I think you get the message!!
BEES
Following on from last month’s newsletter about butterflies I would like to bring your attention to some bee observations made by Rosybee Plants. Look up the website for further information.
I also observe which plants my bees like, and they do seem to overlap with the above—apart from Geranium Rozanne which I have seen very few bees on, but which is nevertheless my favourite geranium!!
I find that Oregano, Echiums, Alliums, Oregano, Mallow and Lavender are very popular.
Here is what was recorded – I’ve just given the 5 most popular for bee species:
Bumblebees
Echium vulgare
Nepeta racemosa
Knautia macedonica
Lavandula Edelweiss
Agastache foeniculum
Solitary Bees
Geranium Rozanne
Anthemis tinctoria
Rudbeckia fulgida
Eryngium planum
Helenium autumnale
Honeybees
Helenium autumnale
Calamint
Sedum spectabile
Helenium
Borage
Veronicastrum
If possible plant in a sunny, sheltered position and plant in blocks so that the bees don’t have to travel too far. Try to have something available early Spring and Autumn too. I do actually grow all of the above here at Fieldcrest so I’ve been thinking about running a gardening for wildlife class next year. Email me at [email protected] if that would be of interest!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AT FIELDCREST
Sorry to mention it so soon but I’m now taking booking for our Christmas wreath making workshops!
We have two confirmed dates so far on the mornings of Wednesday 4th December and Saturday 7th December. These events are usually very popular so if you would like a place please e mail me on [email protected] to reserve your place. Cost £30 to include instruction, all materials and of course tea, cake and festive cheer.
Like last year, we can also accommodate group bookings of 5+ people on a range of dates in last November, early December so drop me a line to enquire.
Finally, I don’t normally do this but I wanted to share with you details of a charity appeal to help a severely disabled little boy. As you know, my newsletters are always centred on plants and gardening etc. but in this case I would like to ask your help for this young family. If you don’t wish to know about the appeal please discontinue reading now.
Best wishes and happy gardening.
Chris and team.
APPEAL
As I am writing this newsletter, my nephew, Matthew, and his girlfriend and two others are undertaking the Three Peaks Challenge (Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike In under 24 hours!). They will also be running in the Chester Marathon next month.
They are undertaking these amazing feats to raise money to help a young couple fund treatment for their little boy, Jude, who has severe disabilities. Jude was a much anticipated first baby for Jenny and James who are very close friends of my niece, Katy, who is from Heswall.
Jude was born 18 months ago, amid panic at the hospital. He had very few lifesigns, especially brain function, and it transpired that he had had severe oxygen starvation. He was on life support which was planned to be removed after a few days. However, after life support was removed he survived against all the odds and started breathing on his own.
Miraculously he has survived, but I am sure that you can imagine that he is very limited in all aspects of his life – for example he has only recently been able to open his eyes.
His dedicated parents have tried to do everything they can for him, with limited help or funding from the NHS or other agencies. They have found that some ways to provide relief and support to help this little boy but all therapies have to be paid for.
If you feel you could sponsor Matthew and his fellow fundraisers, we would be so grateful on behalf of this little family.
More information can be found via this JustGiving link
If you are kind enough to contribute, you may want to put Fieldcrest by your name or anonymous donation, so Matthew will know where the contribution is from.
Many thanks for reading,
Chris