Topsham Allotments and Gardens Society
Topsham Allotments and Gardens Society
Welcome to the website of Topsham Allotments and Gardens Society (TAGS).
We celebrated our 50th anniversary as society in 2017 and today we are a thriving group of more than 150 members who live mostly in Topsham or the surrounding area.
Our common interest is in gardens and gardening. While most members have gardens of all sizes or allotments or, indeed, both, membership is open to all with this interest. So, if you share this love of growing things, have a look at the benefits of TAGS Membership by clicking on the button below.
TAGS ANNUAL SHOW SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2026
Our Annual Show will take place at Matthews Hall on Sunday 23 August from 2.00 to 4.00. It is open to TAGS members and also Topsham Flower Club, all allotment holders and residents of Topsham and the surrounding area.
It is free to compete and free to attend.
Not only are there classes for vegetables, herbs, fruit, flowers and flower arranging but also baking, home produce, photography and poetry.
Entry Forms and Show Programmes with deadlines and full instructions on how to apply digitally or on paper (as usual) are available on the Show section of this site or from the Trading Hut, Nancy Potter House or The Topsham Bookshop. To return your entry form please send it by email to tagsshow2@gmail.com or deliver to Nancy Potter House or The Topsham Bookshop.
Tuesday 15th September TAGS Coach trip to Mapperton Gardens leave at 9.30am, return 5.30pm. To book email topshamags@gmail.com.
Gladiolus
These wonderful, showy flowers create brilliant colour in our gardens and are generally at their best in August.
The name Gladiolus comes from the Latin name for sword, gladius, which describes the shape of the plant very well. Gladiolus are related to the iris and they do share it's growing pattern somewhat. Like the iris it is a good flower for the vase as when a lower bloom dies you can cut it out and shorten the stem and the next flower will open giving them a long life in the house.
For your garden you have an enormous choice of colour, size and shape. There is a semi wild one as well which is a small variety with dark red/mauve colour and this is pretty hardy and may well turn up in the garden.
The corms for gladioli are best planted in the Spring and you can stagger the planting in order to keep the colour in your garden through to September.
The general way of caring for the corms is to dig them up and allow them to dry in the shed over winter as they can become water logged if left in the ground and then decay. However I often fail to do this and they will come up again but may not be so successful.
Sue Parr, Garden Rep
Details of what is involved are available and getting more involved with TAGS is a great way to widen your circle of friends and get involved in the community.
HELP WITH OUR MEMBERS OPEN GARDEN SCHEME
Also, as our activities continue to grow and improve, we are looking for a 3rd Garden Rep whose sole Job would be to organise 3-4 open gardens for each Spring and Summer for TAGS members only. You would liaise with our Social Sec's Stella and David and garden owners to help organise visits to their gardens, help provide and drink tea on the day and ensure things go smoothly!! For more info give Stella and David a call on 01392 877318. This may also involve biscuits!!
