Page 56 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2024

East Yorkshire District Association – Newsletter
An audience of thirty three, including one new member, attended our October meeting’s talk on Unnatural Gardening delivered by Peter Williams from Seaton Ross near York. The title does not really do justice to the content and thought- provoking impact of his presentation
and associated slides which sought to discuss the arguments of native versus non-native species of plants and animals, natural versus naturalistic ecological habitats, the impact of pests, pollinators and pest control measures and what we can do as gardeners to assist nature.
For example, wood anemones are truly native but many of our so-called popular native plants, like snowdrops and meadow fritillaries, actually originated and were imported from elsewhere and have been allow to naturalise beyond the boundaries of our private gardens.
Since the 1930s, UK has lost some
97% of its natural wildflower meadows due to changes in farming practices and utilisation of the land for other purposes such as housing and industry. Wild flower meadows provide shelter and food for important pollinators including bees. There are over 250 species of bee in the UK and they play a vital part in supporting the ecosystem. However, these meadows need to be managed in order to prevent the development of shrubland and
habitat destruction. Originally, this was achieved naturally through grazing by wild animals such as deer and followed later
by domestic farm animals. True meadows also need to include an assortment of both perennial and annual plant species for
continuity and not just annuals alone. Natural gardening supposedly attracts
lots of wildlife but many of these could
be considered to be pest animals since they will eat and destroy the very things you have planted unless you can prevent them from doing so in some way. Peter suggested that the cost/benefits of installing expensive fruit cages for example, ought to be weighed
gardening should be a pleasurable activity. Do your own thing rather than keep up with the latest fashionable ideas and ‘must have’ products. Don’t bother trying to create a mini-nature reserve, unless you want to for your own fun and personal interest, because it will have relatively low impact in the overall scheme of things and you probably have one already if you look
against the cost of
buying the anticipated
harvest yield of the
same products from
your local supermarket.
He also highlighted the
fact that some plants
have evolved to produce their own natural insecticides or deterrents. Examples include chrysanthemum flowers which produce pyrethrin and laurel leaves which can produce hydrogen cyanide.
The Biodiversity in Urban Gardens (BUGS) Project carried out in Sheffield from 1999-2007 was the first large-scale study to reveal the importance of domestic gardens for urban biodiversity. However, it was not all good news because the findings also showed that certain butterflies only laid their eggs on large banks of nettles in the open rather than utilise small shady patches of nettles to be found, or created in, the average garden. Peter closed citing extracts from Professor John Lawton’s ‘Making Space For Nature’ review which made the point that nature needs large and interconnected areas, rather than small isolated patches of habitat, if it is to thrive.
In summary, Peter suggested that
closely enough!
The audience for our
November meeting which featured John Peace talking about Growing Chrysanthemums included visitors from West Yorkshire DA as
well as Humberside Chrysanthemum Society. John has a renowned pedigree as a chrysanthemum grower and exhibitor having won gold medals at Chelsea,
as well as scoring many other notable wins including ‘best vase’ at the National Chrysanthemum Championships.
His gardening year starts in October with a general clean-up. He selects and labels his chrysanthemum stools and pots them up into trays of peat and applies bottom heat
to stimulate the growth of new shoots. He reckons it takes about 8 weeks to produce suitable cuttings for onward potting, either into deep trays or individual 3” pots. It is important to keep the surrounding air at a temperature of about 8 deg C and as dry
as possible in order to prevent damping off. As well as whitened greenhouse windows, white plastic bin liners are also useful to shade the cuttings from excessive sunlight during the day. His early-flowering cuttings
There are over 250 species of bee in the UK
Mansfield DA
Following a successful 2023 Mansfield and District DA have a full programme for 2024.
We meet at the Black Bull public house on the A60 Woodhouse Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, NG18 2BQ at 7.00pm. The programme from April 2024 is set out below and all members are welcome.
April 24th
May 19th June 23rd July 31st
August 28th Sept 25th Oct 23rd Nov 27th
The History on the Grounds of the National Trust Hardwick Hall Estate and Mill by Sonia Preece.
The Big Plant Sale and coffee / cake morning at Jill Pullans Home.
Meeting at National Trust Clumber Walled Garden at 14.00 hours.
Head Gardener at the Tropical Butterfly House and Zoo by Rachel Barrowcliffe.
Vegetables, Flowers, and Produce Show.
Coco Unwrapped by Tracy Akerhurst.
Gardens, good and loyal Friends by Mike Davey. Christmas meal.
If you require further information, please contact Dina Dunnicliff on 01480 381565 or 07458 347073
Kevan Dunnicliff
56 Simply Vegetables
North East Derbyshire District Association (NEDDA)
Although our AGM isn’t till February, I’ve taken the liberty (on 24th January) of enclosing a photo of the committee-in-waiting. Hope I don’t finish-up with egg on my face if we have a big influx of new nominees for the elected positions.
Our monthly meetings are February (AGM), March, April, May, October & November. Meetings are held at ‘Pleasley Miners Welfare,’ Chesterfield Road. NG19 7PD starting around 19:45hrs unless otherwise stated.
The DA is also planning an evening visit during June or July. This is usually to a local grower’s garden or allotment.
DA members will be growing vegetable and flower plants to sell which helps with the D.A.’s running costs and finances etc.
Our Secretary (Geoff Butterworth) is currently in the process of booking speakers and planning visits for the coming year, which will be promulgated as soon as they’ve been finalised.
NEDDA’s 45th Open Vegetable Show will be held on Sunday 8th September 2024 at the Village Centre, Glapwell, Derbyshire S44 5LW.
For further show or meeting details contact; any DA member, Mick Shipley or Geoff Butterworth.
Contact details can be found in the NVS Directory.
Mick Shipley