18th April 2024 • The HERALD • Page 53 v GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE HERALD v ✿ DOWN THE GARDEN PATH ✿ COVERING SOUTHAMPTON AND NEW FOREST • Patios • Turf • Fencing • Artificial lawns • Decking • Garden structures • Driveways • Clearances • Brickwork • Jet-washing Call now on 07961 234448 to sow the seeds for your new outside living space or email: honeysucklelandscapes1@gmail.com See our previous work at: www.honeysucklelandscapes.com Telephone Richard 023 8084 9637 | Grass Cutting | Edges Trimmed | Hedge Trimming | PRESSURE WASHING OF DECKS, PATIOS & DRIVES | FENCE & SHEDS PAINTED QuickSmart Garden Services Professional & Reliable BEAULIEU HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY donated his fee to the charity Perennial which supports people in horticulture. Tuesday 23rd April 7.30pm at East Boldre Village Hall, a talk on ‘How to improve your garden design’ by Janette Merillion. New members always welcome. Membership £10 per annum. Visitors £2. Details from Lynne Hubbard 01590 612408. Beaulieu Horticultural Society began its 2024 programme in February with an enjoyable a ernoon tea and quiz held in East Boldre Village Hall. In early March, the Society welcomed Ray Broughton with his talk ‘Growing Vegetables and Herbs 2024’. Ray trained in horticulture at RHS Wisley, is a Head of Department at Sparsholt College and is an examiner for the Royal Horticultural Society. Notably, he is a very entertaining and informative speaker. As a scientist and educator he was able to bring his audience up-todate with what is going on in the ‘plant world’ in 2024 and that included ‘busting’ a few myths and showing future products. He provided an explanation for the recent changes in some plants’ names which have been frustrating gardeners, for example Hebe is now called Veronica and Nasturtium is corrected to Tropaeolum. e scienti c reason for the changes is that the previous names were based on a plant classi cation system developed by the botanist Linnaeus in the 18th century, but now new gene coding techniques may place certain plants in di erent categories according to speci c characteristics. ere was useful advice on the choice of various herbs and vegetables such as white owered runner beans, which being wind pollinated, will crop more reliably than red owered varieties which are insect pollinated. Rhubarb Raspberry Red, which is strictly a vegetable, is sweeter than other varieties. e herb thyme Annie Hall could be used as a ‘green carpet’ as it is surviving heavy footfall at Sparsholt College and the herb Rue (Ruta graveolens) should be banished from all gardens as it can provoke a nasty skin reaction on touching. Some ideas on companion planting to deter pests might be misguided. For example, it is the dead heads of French Marigolds that contain the compound that deters insect pests rather than the owers and apparently Nasturtiums (tropaeolum) attract insect pests from miles around! As plants require 13 nutrients for healthy growth, they were given advice on the appropriate use of fertilisers. ere were tips on the construction of raised beds and the cleaning of cutting tools. Everyone listening to Ray’s very entertaining talk will have been left with new ideas, inspiration and con dence to get going with a new season of vegetable and herb growing. Ray also generously Plant Sale Woodlands Gardening Club meets on the second Tuesday of the month. Meetings start at 7.30pm at Netley Marsh Community Hall, Woodlands Road, Netley Marsh. On Saturday 11th May they will be holding their Saturday Plant Sale. eir next meeting takes place on Tuesday 11th June for a visit to Ordnance House, West Dean. Visitors are very welcome at £2.50; for more information about the club, call Susanna on: 023 8029 2953.
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