Essentially Local May-June 2019
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
STONY STRATFORD IN BLOOM<br />
The planters, baskets and beds around the town,<br />
including the library bed, town entrances and recreation<br />
railings looked beautiful with blooms of spring flowers.<br />
Volunteers have been busy - Ousebank Calverton Corner<br />
bed was planted with shrubs and weeds removed<br />
wherever they could. Their efforts at the Bluebell Wood<br />
should prevent the bluebells being smothered with cow<br />
parsley and ivy. Changeover from winter to summer<br />
planters and baskets takes place on 29-30 <strong>May</strong>.<br />
This spring, Theresa Wedderburn from Branch Out<br />
gave a talk on growing and arranging seasonal flowers.<br />
Theresa follows organic gardening principles.<br />
Building works delayed the gardening sessions at St<br />
Mary and St Giles School North Site, as the polytunnel<br />
was moved. School gardening was given a financial<br />
boost with a £400 donation from Milton Keynes Ward<br />
Councillors Stony Stratford ward allocations. The<br />
Campaign for School Gardening RHS Level 5 success<br />
resulted in £250 Garden Centre Tokens which will help in<br />
restocking after the building works.<br />
Congratulations to all!<br />
WOLVERTON & GREENLEYS IN-BLOOM<br />
Wolverton and Greenleys in Bloom volunteers have<br />
been busy. You will have enjoyed the blooms from<br />
the winter pansies as well as the Croft entrances at<br />
Greenleys. They were assisted by some very helpful<br />
children who mixed the soil and fresh compost. They’ve<br />
also been working on the Greenleys Community Garden and<br />
residents will love the flowers and herbs that will soon be flourishing.<br />
While at the community garden they opened up the Human Sun<br />
Dial as the long grass was hiding it. Now if you stand on the right<br />
month, in the centre, your shadow will point to the right time. The<br />
two different semi-circles of numbers represent one for summer and<br />
one for winter. From mid-<strong>May</strong> the team will be planting the new<br />
summer bedding plants which include geraniums and petunias in<br />
white, shocking pink and lilac.<br />
Fruit of the<br />
Edition<br />
Tomatoes<br />
If you haven’t grown your own, pick<br />
up a few tomato plants from the<br />
garden centre or ask your friends for<br />
some. They are great for children,<br />
easy to grow and they can fruit right<br />
up until October. They’re full of<br />
vitamins and minerals which will help<br />
your eyes and could help to lower<br />
rates of heart disease.<br />
Easy to grow<br />
1. Pop your plants into a pot, grow<br />
bag or soil in a sunny position.<br />
2. If you are growing tall varieties tie<br />
the main stem to a bamboo stick. As<br />
the plant grows continue to tie.<br />
3. Remove the side shoots regularly<br />
and the growing point of the main<br />
stem when it reaches the top of the<br />
greenhouse or has about 7 trusses<br />
on it.<br />
4. Keep the plants watered. Irregular<br />
watering can lead to split fruit or<br />
rot at the bottom of the tomatoes.<br />
A liquid fertilizer is also important,<br />
follow the instructions though.<br />
5. Look out for tomato blight and leaf<br />
mould. Do not put infected plants<br />
on the compost.<br />
Fact<br />
The largest tomato ever picked was<br />
3.5 kg and there are over 10,000<br />
varieties.<br />
Help is still needed please call the Town Hall office 01908<br />
326800 or email office@wgtc.org.uk.<br />
To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />
53
Change language