14th July 2022 • The HERALD • Page 51 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v SPADEWORK Family Landscaping & Fencing Team ] Decking & Natural Sandstone Paving ] Patios ] Driveways ] Block Paving ] Turfing ] All Types of Domestic & Commercial Fencing ] Security Fencing Supplied & Fitted Tel: (023) 8089 4909 Mobile: 07703 566814 u Free Estimates u Fully Insured ✿ DOWN THE GARDEN PATH ✿ THE TREE & LANDSCAPE WIZARD All aspects of tree surgery, garden maintenance and landscaping undertaken Family run business for over 20 years No Job Too Big or Small Please call 07552 977731 for a Free Quotation BEAULIEU HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY a Society visit. Followed on Saturday 3rd September, 2.15pm for their Autumn Show in Beaulieu Village Hall; Thursday 15th September for a Society visit and Thursday 20th October, for a talk titled ‘Roses’ by Mr Pocock of Pocock’s Roses in East Boldre Village Hall. Visitors are welcome to talks (£2). New members are always welcome (£9 per annum). Contact Lynne Hubbard 01590 612408. On ursday 25th May, Beaulieu Horticultural Society members enjoyed a most interesting visit to a local plant nursery, New Forest Plants at Hilltop near Beaulieu. It is part of the Newey group of Horticultural nurseries which have a number of other sites elsewhere in the country. As the nursery is a wholesale only plant grower, it was previously unknown to members who were struck by the scale and operation of the business. e group tour was escorted by three senior managers who were able to explain the impressive operation. e site covers 25 acres although not all is currently used for plant production. Nevertheless, there are row upon row of greenhouses and poly tunnels full of plants in various stages of growth. e nursery is primarily concerned with growing herbaceous perennials. Most of the plants start their time at the nursery as small plug plants or cuttings that initially have been raised elsewhere, o en in Holland or in warmer climates eg Kenya or Israel. ey are then potted-up and further potted-on and nurtured in recyclable plastic pots. Of particular concern is the issue of the phasing out of peat as the nursery considers it to be the ideal medium for raising plants in the nursery. Members were most impressed by the extremely well ordered layout of the growing areas and the very healthy, well grown plants lling them. All this is achieved by a relatively small sta , numbering 4 permanent and up to 20 seasonal sta . As elsewhere in the horticultural industry, skilled labour availability is a concern and many of the sta come from Eastern Europe. Obviously, Spring and early Summer are busy times for the nursery with a very large number of articulated lorry loads of plants leaving the site each week, heading for Chichester where they are further sorted for dispatch. Most of the plants are destined for sale at major DIY retailers and large supermarkets. e plants leave New Forest Plants in tip -top condition so it disappointing to sometimes see them agging on the retailer’s shelves. e enthusiastic and very knowledgeable nursery manager had interesting observations about work in the horticultural industry. It is now highly scienti c and computerised. For example, new plant varieties are rigourously tested and monitored, growing conditions regulated and adjusted and consumer trends and needs assessed. e nursery is a member of LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming). Members were le with a greater understanding and appreciation of the work involved in large-scale plant production in a very impressive local horticultural industry. As part of Beaulieu Village Jubilee Celebrations, Beaulieu Horticultural Society members, Paula Husband and Maureen Medley created a beautiful oral decoration for the Palace House gate posts. This colourful display welcomed visitors to the Jubilee picnic. e June meeting for members only was a visit to a member’s garden followed by a Midsummer garden party. e Summer Show was held on Saturday 2nd July at East Boldre Village Hall. eir next meeting on Monday 26th July is for Make a Butterfly Garden Bartley Horticultural Society are planning a visit on Thursday 21st July for talk by Martin Young titled ‘Make a Butter y Garden’. eir next meeting will take place on Thursday 18th August for a talk by Tom Haskell titled ‘Vegetable Production Using Hotbeds’. Meetings take place on the third ursday of the month at Copythorne Parish Hall, Pollards Moor Road, Copythorne SO40 2NT at 7.30pm. eir 109th Annual Show takes place on Saturday 6th August at Copythorne Parish Hall. Open to public 1.30pm. More schedules can be obtained from Maggie Fenwick on 07789 352505. e updated schedule can also be downloaded from their website: www.bartleyhs.org.uk along with extra entry forms which can be printed o if needed. New members and visitors are always welcome. Visitors fee applies. For more information you can write to them at: Mavis Cottage, Pollards Moor Road, Copythorne, SO40 2NZ or call: 07789 352505.
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