Yarty Gardening Club

Ponds and Water Features with Jenny Short
2022-02-17 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
From formal, architectural ponds to natural looking wildlife ponds, Jenny is a font of knowledge when it comes to introducing a water feature or pond to your garden.
If you have specific questions, please contact Kaye prior to the talk who will forward them to Jenny who will be able to tailor her talk around members’ queries or particular issues. There will, of course, be time for questions after the talk as well.

Christmas Wreath making demonstration with Angie from Cottage Flowers
2021-11-18 19:30 - 21:00 | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP
Everyone is welcome at our Christmas Wreath making demonstration with Angie from Cottage Flowers in Ilminster. As well as a Christmas Wreath, Angie will show us how to create some beautiful festive table decorations and other items to adorn your house and home over the Christmas period.
There will be an opportunity to purchase wreath making supplies from Angie or order one of her wreath kits https://www.cottageflowersandmore.co.uk/

Wilder Buckland
2021-10-21 19:30 - 21:00 | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
Jolyon Chesworth from the Wider Buckland Group will be talking to us about the Wilder Buckland community group. This group, for the Parish of Buckland St Mary, aims to carry out local practical actions to support wildlife and the wider environment in the area. You may have seen the recent article in the CBO News talking about their acheivements so far and their plans for the future.
Do come along to learn about this relatively new group and how you might contribute to the effort to support wildlife in your area.
Tea and coffee afterwards
NB. We will be following the COVID guidelines implemented by the Otterford Parish Hall committee to help keep everyone safe.

Burrow Hill Cider Farm
2021-09-16 14:00 - 16:00
Thursday 16th September will find us touring the orchards, watching the cider apple harvest at Burrow Hill Cider Farm

The farm in Somerset sits among 180 acres of cider apple orchards at the base of Burrow Hill. The farm has been pressing cider for over 200 years. In 1989 they were granted the UK’s first ever full cider-distilling license. They have been distilling award winning cider into Somerset Cider Brandy ever since.
In the autumn over forty varieties of vintage cider apples such as Dabinett, Kingston Black, Stoke Red, Yarlington Mill and Harry Masters are harvested.

The guided tour takes an hour and you will walk through the whole process from harvesting the apples to distilling and maturing the brandy.
Afterwards there will be cake and apple juice refreshments and the chance to walk up Burrow Hill and admire the incredible views of the Somerset Levels. On a good day you can see Glastonbury Tor in the distance.

Afternoon visit to Goren Farm
2021-07-15 14:00 - 16:30
Georgian house and walled gardens, with 50 acres of natural species rich wild flower meadows. Open through the NGS scheme @ £5 per person.
We will have a guided tour of the gardens and wildflower meadows followed by the opportunity to enjoy a Devon cream tea (extra charge)
This is a self drive event. Meet in the car park at 1.50pm
Goren farm. Stockland, Honiton. EX14 9EN
A Brief history
Goren Farm has been in the family since 1955 and was farmed as an extensive dairy farm up until 1990. Since then the fields have been set to hay meadows to develop a natural balance with nature. No chemicals have been used on the farm and no fields have been ploughed in living memory.
Julian arrived at Goren in 2001; he was just 28, and had come from London where he had a career in IT and oil exploration. The farm belonged to an old family relative who had been living more or less as a recluse in a couple of rooms of the farmhouse which, although a listed building, was dangerously close to falling into dereliction. Julian had decided to come and live in this 70 acre plot of land and try to save the house and help Ken, but it was the meadows which were to shape the future path of both Goren Farm and Julian and his family.
What had struck him about these fields was the complexity and variety of plants growing in them. Having been raised in a Devon farming family, he knew the signs, and he was inspired. The native wildlife had flourished over the years, partly due to Ken’s gentle and old fashioned approach. Rejecting modern farm machinery, all Ken had was a small blue tractor, a sickle, a billhook, a Devon shovel, a bowsaw and a mattock. Inspired by his meadow moment, and wanting to restore what remained of the formal gardens, Julian enrolled in a horticultural course at Bicton College. When a neighbour commented on the amount of weeds growing in the meadows, Julian began to wonder who might want the seeds and how he could utilise the diversity of native plant species growing naturally at Goren. It was only a matter of time before the wildflower business began.
The ecological balance in the fields has been complemented with a herd of Ruby Red Devon cattle and a small flock of Polled Dorset sheep. Hedgerows are managed to produce wood and allow a habitat for wildlife, as well as providing shelter for the farm animals. The orchards have been restored and replanted with new saplings among the veteran trees and cider is produced in the traditional way, filtered through straw. Now that the new trees bear fruit, apple juice has been brought into production too. The water supply for Goren originates from a spring line mire and is tapped using a labyrinth of stone drains buried under the fields. The walled area has been restored as a vegetable garden and some of the produce is sold locally. Most of the buildings date back to 1820 or earlier and have changed little. Careful restoration of these buildings is underway, utilising local materials and traditional methods.
The wildflower meadows are open to the public throughout June and events are held over the weekends with paths cut through the meadows to wander and enjoy – this is in collaboration with the National Garden Scheme and proceeds go to charity.
For more information visit: www.goren.co.uk

An afternoon visit to South Wood Farm, Cotleigh
2021-06-17 13:20 - 16:00 | South Wood Farm EX14 9HU, Cotleigh, Honiton, Devon, EX14 9HU, United Kingdom
Designed by renowned Arne Maynard around a C17 thatched farmhouse, this country garden exemplifies how contemporary design can be integrated into a traditional setting. Herbaceous borders, roses, yew topiary, knot garden, wildflower meadows, orchards, lean-to greenhouses and a mouthwatering kitchen garden create an unforgettable sense of place. Rare opportunity to visit this garden in all its glory.

Meet at 1.20pm in the car park.
Cost £6.00 per person
South Wood Farm
Cotleigh
Honiton
Devon
EX14 9HU

Forde Abbey Visit - CHANGE OF DATE!
2021-05-27 14:00 - 17:00 | Forde Abbey, Forde Abbey, Chard, Somerset, TA20 4LU, United Kingdom
Due to the adverse weather forecast on Thursday 20th we are changing the date of our visit
A great opportunity to catch up with your gardening buddies and enjoy the beautiful gardens at Forde Abbey. Join us on May 27th at 2pm for a breath of fresh air and some gardening inspiration.
Home to the highest powered fountain in the country, the award-winning gardens include topiary lined vistas, colourful herbaceous borders, an arboretum, a bog garden, which together with swathes of early Spring bulbs and camellias provide all year round interest. Designed to incorporate both the formal and informal aspects of garden design, the straight lines give way to meandering pathways the further you head away from the house, with plenty of benches and seating to admire the views along the way.
A garden is never the finished article, but more like a chapter that is constantly being written, re-written and edited to shape the flow and style of the narrative. It has slowly evolved over 900 years to reflect the lifestyle and taste of each generation living here.
From 1141 to the present day, Forde Abbey is a stunning example of history preserved but not petrified. Alice and Julian Kennard have inherited a garden rich in history but are keen to live and work in an informal style and you’ll often find Alice in the garden, tackling the latest project in hand.
As well as taking in the garden on foot, you’ll find benches and seating dotted around so you can take the time to sit and enjoy the view. The swing benches are made by a local company, Sitting Spiritually.

This is a self-drive event. Admission to the gardens will costs £9.50 but we will be subsidising exisiting YGC members with 50% of the entrance fee.

Brimsmore Garden Centre visit
2021-04-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Brimsmore Garden Centre, Tintinhull Rd, Yeovil, BA21 3NU
Well it’s here; the moment we have all been waiting for……………..
Members of the Yarty Gardening Club will at last be able to meet up on the 15th of April!
Brimsmore Garden Centre will be open for an ‘after hours’ exclusive shopping experience. Sadly, we will not be able to have a talk this time, but from 6pm until 8pm we will be able to meet up with our gardening friends again, while we browse the lovely spring plants at Brimsmore. There will be a 25% discount on anything you buy on the evening (that isn’t already discounted) so it is a good opportunity to look for those seeds, plants or sundries you would like for the new season.

This is a self-drive event. Directions to Brimsmore can be found below and we will meet in the car park at 6pm

**CANCELLED** Ponds and Water Features with Jenny Short......We hope to reschedule in the Autumn
2020-03-19 19:30 | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP

Planning a Border
2020-02-20 19:30 | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
The principles behind designing a border with practical tips and a live demonstration of putting together a border*

*and don’t miss our Brimsmore Garden Centre visit in April where you can purchase all the plants for your new border – 25% discount on all full price purchases with free delivery

Attracting Wildlife to your Garden
2020-01-16 19:30 | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP
Join retired agricultural scientist and keen local gardener Julie Steed for an evening talk about wildlife and the fascinating creatures that inhabit our gardens. Learn about the growing importance of gardens for British wildlife and how we can increase the wildlife value of our gardens still further.

**CANCELLED ** Quiz and Social Evening (due to General Election)
2019-12-12 19:30 | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
Sadly, because a general election has been sprung on us, we are having to cancel our meeting in December and with it our eagerly anticipated seasonal social and quiz. I wish all gardening readers a very Happy Christmas and a productive New Year.

Pauline Bartlett

Shrubs for Flower Arrangers
2019-11-21 19:30 - 21:00 | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP

Organic Gardening and Pest Control
2019-10-17 19:30 | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
Our October meeting was about organic gardening and pest control and we were very pleased to welcome Paul Hending as our speaker. A quick show of hands proved that most members were already trying to garden with the least impact on the environment, but we are always ready to learn more.
Gardeners today are much more likely to be organic and to avoid adding inorganic chemicals to the soil. We lighten up our heavy clay soils with well-rotted farmyard manure or barrowloads of spent mushroom compost. Of course, if you are offered the chance of a load of fresh manure, don’t pass it up, instead leave it for a year under cover to stop the nutrients being leached away by heavy rain. Another great soil improver is of course leaf mould and there is a vast amount of raw material around at this time of year! Let the leaves which land on borders remain for the worms to take down into the soil, enriching the soil for you and concentrate on raking up leaves on lawns and paths. Often, they can be swept under shrubs to rot down but all the rest can go into a container to make leaf mould for the coming years. If you have room, a leaf mould cage made from four bamboo canes or posts and chicken wire is ideal, but sacks with good aeration will do just as well. A good use for old compost bags so they aren’t single use plastic perhaps?

Paul ran through the steps to making good compost starting with the container, which needs to be ideally at least a cubic metre in size (any smaller and the process is more difficult). Two or three compost bins in a line are the best way forward – or more bays if you have the luxury of space. The compost can be turned from one bin into the next so that you can keep fresh material separate from the stuff that is cooking. This turning helps with aeration which is the key to keeping the micro-organisms alive. These break down the raw materials into beautiful sweet crumbly compost if you turn the heap at least once but more often if you have the energy. We were already aware of the need to keep a balance of brown twiggy material/broken up cardboard and green material, the soggiest of which tends to be grass clippings. Moisture is often the biggest problem with making perfect compost, too much and the mixture can become slimy (avoid this by covering it to keep the rain out); too little and it doesn’t seem to do anything (so water it). We were advised to avoid adding mouldy onions to the compost (as the blue mould can kill the bacteria in the heap) or too much citrus peel as it takes too long to decompose (unless you chop it up).

Paul then turned to pest control:

Crop Rotation – Aim for a 3 or 4 year crop rotation, avoiding growing the same crop in the same area year after year will help to prevent the build up of pests.
Vigilance – Look at beds, borders and containers regularly so that any pest incursion can be dealt with rapidly. This can be done by brushing/washing off aphids and picking off the offending caterpillar or lily beetle, though whether you squish them or feed them to the birds is up to you!
Biological response – Encourage the build up of natural predators such as lacewings, ladybirds and hover-flies in the garden. Lacewing and ladybird larvae can eat as many as 150 aphids per day. Birds will eat slugs, snails, grubs, wireworms, caterpillars and insects. Hedgehogs, frogs and toads will eat slugs and snails, beetles and insects. Build a beetle bank to encourage ground beetles which eat slugs, leatherjackets, cutworms and other caterpillars.
Biological controls – Plenty of these can now be purchased, such as Encarsia formosa, (a tiny parasitic wasp which will control greenhouse whitefly) and Phytoseiulus persimilis (a predatory mite which will control red spider mite). There are a variety of nematodes available to control slugs and vine weevils. In fact, there seems to be a biological control to deal with most garden pests. The RHS web site has a comprehensive list.
Physical Barriers – Netting with enviromesh seems to be the best way forward to keep white butterflies from laying eggs on your brassicas. A mesh barrier around the carrot plot will deter the carrot root fly too.
Traps – Earwigs can devastate seedlings and soft fruit or sweetcorn silks. Try filling a few plastic flowerpots with straw and balancing them upside down on sticks to attract the pests. The earwigs crawl up the poles and take shelter in the pots at night and you can empty them and dispose of the pests in the morning. Sticky bands placed on the trunks of trees can stop pests from reaching the fruit.

We also discussed getting sowing times right to avoid pests such as black bean aphid, and the use of so-called organic pesticides and slug pellets. Not everyone was happy with the idea of killing garden pests, particularly the white butterflies, especially as the numbers of butterflies generally are declining. It made for a lively discussion.

Sadly, because a general election has been sprung on us, we are having to cancel our meeting in December and with it our eagerly anticipated seasonal social and quiz. I wish all gardening readers a very Happy Christmas and a productive New Year.

Pauline Bartlett

Brimsmore Garden Centre (self drive)
2019-09-19 18:30 - 21:00 | Brimsmore Garden Centre, Tintinhull Rd, Yeovil, BA21 3NU
A bit of a mix up with our Gold Membership meant that our September meeting was at Brimsmore Garden Centre instead of as advertised. Many apologies to anyone who had been looking forward to the advertised talk. The good news is that this will now take place on November 21st (see end of article).
Due to the late notice, there was only a small turnout at the Garden Centre, but the earlier starting time meant that we had the opportunity to browse the plant selection outside before the light went. We then enjoyed refreshments and were treated to a very interesting and informative talk by the head of the hardy plants section who introduced us to his choice of the 50 best plants for early autumn. Here are some of them.
Nandina domestica ‘Obsessed’: the foliage of this compact shrub emerges fiery red before turning fresh green, and then red again as autumn takes hold. In summer it has pretty clusters of white flowers. It is perfect for a sunny spot in a small garden, and can also be grown in containers.
Heucherella ‘Tapestry’: blue-green leaves which mature to silvery green with purple veins. Pink flowers are borne in summer. Plants have a good spreading habit and make excellent ground-cover at the front of a shady border. They are also suited to growing in pots.
Amerine ‘Belladiva’: a cross between an Amaryllis and a Nerine, originally bred for the cut flower market. One bulb can produce up to 10 slender-petalled, pink lily-like flowers on each upright stem.
Cornus alba ‘Aurea’: has deep red stems, vibrant gold-green leaves, small, creamy-white flowers and clusters of white berries. It’s tolerant of a wide range of soil types, and produces the brightest winter bark when planted in full sun. Cut it down every other February to keep the best colour.
Physalis: with its orange lanterns it is a good Halloween plant and then you can eat the round fruit with its sweet/sour flavour.
Chilli ‘Medusa’: is an extremely ornamental variety, bearing masses of long, thin peppers in shades of yellow, orange and red. The peppers are very mild in flavour and Medusa is perfect for growing on a sunny windowsill or outside in a sunny, sheltered spot.
Cyclamen persicum (bedding cyclamen): can be used in hanging baskets and containers or planted into the ground. They don’t like heavy rain so try to keep the foliage dry to avoid botrytis. A sheltered site in dappled shade with dry soil is perfect and they are fairly hardy, tolerating frost down to about -3 to -4C
If you love Camellias, try one of the autumn flowering Camellia sasanqua such as ‘Dwarf Shishi’ with small dark pink rose form flowers, ideal for containers and pots.
‘Easydendron’ with white flowers; is a new rhododendron which will grow in alkaline soil. It is however more tender and will need fleecing if frost threatens so I’m not sure if it is that easy!
Carex buchananii ‘Red Rooster’: is a superb evergreen clump forming grass, bearing long, triangular, fine-textured leaves, which flex gracefully in the breeze.
Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’: with its delicate lilac flowers followed by vibrant purple berries, much loved by song thrushes. Plants will flower and berry more profusely when planted in groups.
Cranberry ‘Pilgrim’, is an ericaceous loving, trailing ground cover plant… If you grow blueberries, try underplanting with a cranberry or two. I planted several plants last autumn in a raised bed under blueberry bushes and was rewarded this year with a small but good quality crop of cranberries for our Christmas dinner. They are also delicious with apple in a crumble, but I will have to wait for the plants to bulk up!
There was a wide variety of heucheras, sedums, Michaelmas daisies and japanese anemones to choose from too.
Having already chosen our shrubs, perennials and climbers earlier, we were then given the run of the garden centre and the bonus of 25% off everything with free delivery. We had a lovely time!

Pauline Bartlett

Buckland St Mary Flower Show
2019-08-18 | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP
For full details and schedule click here

Kilver Court, Shepton Mallet
2019-08-15 14:00 - 17:00 | Kilver Court, Kilver Street, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5NF
The visionary design influences of Mulberry founder Roger Saul can now be seen coming to fruition in his garden here at Kilver Court gardens. His unique planting schemes using colour and texture are evident in his newly redesigned 100m colourist herbaceous border, formal parterre and subtropical island. This eclectic garden is also home to one of the largest sculptures in the world, a breath-taking 15-metre-high Victorian viaduct. Explore the garden nursery which is a treasure trove of garden gifts, plants and tools. for more information, visit Kilvercourt.com

Midney Gardens Visit (self-drive)
2019-07-18 14:00 - 17:00 | Midney Gardens, Somerton, TA11 7HR
Opened for the first time in 2012, Midney Gardens is a lovely garden in the heart of Somerset. Its creator, Dave Chase has taken inspiration from some of the great garden designers of the past (particularly Gertrude Jekyll and Sylvia Crowe) and at the same time he has brought to it an approach which is all his own. It is a garden full of interesting and unusual planting combinations, lovely colour themes and some quirky/fun touches.
The main garden comprises a number of linked areas, each with its own character. For example, the ‘Clarice Cliff’ garden with the nearby planting of yellows and oranges is simple and evocative of the Art Deco designs. Other areas include a white garden, seaside garden, butterfly garden, kitchen garden, woodland walk and wildlife pond.The whole garden has been planted with wildlife in mind and in the summer, it is full of insects, butterflies and birds.
With plenty of places to sit and enjoy the views, this is a garden to take time to visit and enjoy
The plant nursery and tearoom are open at the same times as the garden – there is no entry charge for the tearoom and plant nursery.

Perennials with Peter Cantrill
2019-06-20 19:30 | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
Peter runs the wholesale nursery Dayspring Plants near Exeter, which supplies plants to National Trust gardens, amongst others. With a lifetime’s experience in the business, his horticultural knowledge is second to none, and the plants he brings to sell have been known to cause a rush to buy at the end of his lectures.
Plants for Sale

Afternoon visit to Coates Willow
2019-05-16 14:30 - 17:00 | Coates Willow, Willow & Wetlands Centre, Taunton, TA3 6HY
This is a self-drive event
Meet at the visitor centre in time for a 14.30 start

Grand Plant Sale
2019-05-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
Our annual plant sale will take place at Bishopswood (Otterford Parish Hall) between 10am and 12pm
A good selection of plants for sale including, interesting perennials, vegetable and herbaceous plants.
Teas, coffee and homemade cake for sale

Successful Vegetable Growing
2019-04-18 19:30 | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
John Studley will be passing on top tips for successful vegetable growing. Come and learn his secrets!

Pleiones for Pleasure
2019-03-21 19:30 | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP
Paul Cumbleton will be talking about Pleiones – fascinating miniature orchids, which he has grown for many years
