Estuary Articles

TAGS TALKS 2025

We have an exciting programme of talks for this Autumn /Winter

Our First talk is on Shade and Woodland Gardening by Saul Walker in St Nicks on Weds 8th October at 7.30pm, no need to book, £4 TAGS members, £5 non members.

Second is our Celebrity talk, An Evening with Toby Buckland, in Matthews Hall on Tuesday 11th November at 7.30pm. Toby is a regular on Gardeners World, has his own popular programme on BBC Radio Devon and hosts regular garden festivals at Powderham and Forde Abbey. It is strongly recommended that you book for this talk, by email to topshamags@gmail.com or phone 01392 877318. Cost £8 for TAGS members, £10 non-TAGS members, £12 on the day. Paid bar will be available.

TAGS ANNUAL SHOW

The Topsham Flower & Vegetable Show this year was a triumph made possible by a dedicated crew of keen volunteers. What particularly pleased us was that there were significantly more people entering their produce for the Show and more people helping with the various tasks to make it happen. This bodes well for the future of the Show and we already have lots of ideas to make it better and better. Thank you Topsham for supporting and participating in this lovely community event.

Rosie Hanvey and Richard Carson, Show Secretaries

The visitors to the Show also enjoyed the displays of photos and poems from the two competitions we run in conjunction with the Show. We will publish the winning photo next month, but here is the evocative winning poem from Renee Terry:-

Topsham has its secret gardens
but gardens have their secrets too,
kept close, but shared with anyone
who listens with a lover's ear,
and notices when fragile plants take root.

I see again my pullet's egg, her first,
half hidden in a mulch of leaves
and laid without a fanfare, unannounced.
Gently I cup it in my hand, its see-through shell
blush pink. I think of her not quite yet hen,
but oh so proud. And just a little shy

In summer when it's fine I take a drink outdoors
and sit in silent ease beside the lily pond.
One evening a colony of rabbits appeared
out of the blue and bounced around the lawn,
as though to say ‘We're having Happy Hour too'
No warning when my neighbour's car back fired,
and with a fiash of scut the bunnies disappeared. But where?

My garden's best kept secret came gift wrapped
on top a compost heap. A piece of dung still warm,
still with a sheen, and feeding on it in all brilliance,
a Purple Emperor butterfly. And this far south
I stared in awe. An emperor at feast in royal robes
Sated, it rose and soared and flew away,
and Yes - I swear - it dipped its wings at me

Garden Jobs for October 2025

    1. Check compost bins or heaps and sort ready to spread this month when you have cleared spent plants.
    2. Plant spring bulbs
    3. Plant onion sets, garlic and broad beans.
    4. Plant something colourful in pots for the winter, like pansies, winter heather, cyclamen, and place them where you can see them from your windows. 
    5. Add fallen leaves to compost heaps or store in bin bags, dampen and make holes for drainage.
    6. Keep harvesting fruit. Store apples in a cool dry place. Check all stored vegetables and fruit regularly.
    7. Remove debris from beds but leave a little for insects to over winter.
    8. Lift dahlias, gladioli and begonia tubers and store in a dry frost free
       place.
    9. This is a good time to move evergreen shrubs, such as hebe and photinia.
    10.  Cut down bean and pea plants after harvesting but leave roots in the ground as they provide nitrogen for the soil.
Sue Parr, Garden Rep

For What's On

Wednesday 8th October 7.30pm Talk from Saul Walker on Shady and Woodland Gardening in St Nicks

Toby’s coming to Topsham Town!

Now that our Show is over (details next month) we look towards our exciting winter programme and we have several delights to brighten your evenings. 

The first is a talk from long standing friend of TAGS and broadcaster  Saul Walker, head gardener at Stonelands, on The Art of Growing in Shade and Woodlands in St Nicks at 7.30pm on Wednesday 8th October, no need to book, members £4, non members £5 including tea and coffee. 

On 11th November at 7.30pm in MATTHEWS HALL we are delighted to host "An evening with TOBY BUCKLAND" of BBC radio and TV fame. Do put this in your diary and  book to come because he knows how to amuse but with " a good learning". Toby will be giving gardening tips, talking about some of his favorite plants and answering our questions. We've been to two of his talks and it's been great fun every time. His gardening knowledge is phenomenal and his presentation can't help but entertain whether you are6 into gardening or not!!!!  We're in Matthew's Hall for this event but it's still a very good idea to book in advance, via topshamags@gmail.co.uk or 01392 877318. TAGS Members £8, non members £10 when booked in advance, but £12 on the door.

David and Stella McLarin, Socials Secs

Jobs to do in the Garden in September 2025

1. Time to plant daffodils, tulips, and other spring flowering bulbs.
2. Create new lawns from seed or turf. Aerate established lawns and rake out dead thatch.
3. Give your lawn an autumn feed.
4. Take out excess weed and plant growth from ponds as this will have increased mightily in the lovely warm weather we have had.
5. If you are splitting and replanting water lilies share the excess bits with friends as they are very expensive plants to buy.
6. Clean out the greenhouse to reduce risk of pests and moulds next year.
7. Clean empty pots and store in a dry place ready for use next spring.
8. Remove any diseased fruit from autumn cropping fruit trees to prevent damage progressing to other fruit.
9. Harvest plums and freeze some for later by washing, halving and stoning then lay them on a tray to freeze and pack in bags when frozen.
10. Sit back in your favourite chair and plan next year’s planting and congratulate yourself on a good year in the garden.

Sue Parr, Garden Rep

For What's On

Sunday 17th August    2-4pm     Matthews Hall     TAGS Flower and Vegetable Show.

TOPSHAM ALLOTMENTS AND GARDENS SOCIETY ANNUAL SHOW

There’s still time to pick up your Programme/Entry Form for The Fruit Flower & Vegetable Show, to be held on Sunday 17th August. If you’ve not exhibited before you may find it a bit daunting but the Programme is very helpful, giving tips on how to impress the Judges. We are particularly hopeful that new entrants both young and old will take part, or maybe you have a friend or neighbour who can be encouraged to exhibit. If you aren’t sure about exhibiting this year, why not come to the Show (free entry) and have a look? Some Classes require a particular number of examples of similar produce, for example three carrots; it’s a common mistake to show too many or too few, so double check beforehand. There are 74 Classes to choose from including vegetables, fruit, flowers, flower arrangements, preserves, cakes, wine or cordials, photography and poetry. It’s lovely to see it all displayed in Matthews Hall and thrilling if you find that Judges have awarded you a Prize Certificate.

Please encourage your children or grandchildren to take part: there are three Classes particularly for them with three age groups, 4-7, 8-11 and 12-16, so there is a good chance of winning. The Children’s Classes are designed to encourage the imaginative display of flowers, fruit and vegetables with accessories as they wish. Programmes are available from the Topsham Bookshop, Nancy Potter House, the TAGS Trading Hut or to download from topshamags.co.uk/show. Entry Forms must be submitted to the Topsham Bookshop or Nancy Potter House by 4.30pm on Wednesday 13th August. Entries for the Photography and Poetry Classes needed to be in by the 28th July.

Rosie Hanvey and Richard Carson, Show Secretaries

HOLLYHOCKS UPDATE AND NEW PROJECT

The hollyhocks by the swimming pool wall and at the end of Tappers Close have now flowered, except for new plants that I used to fill some gaps. I have fixed a horizontal wire on each wall, 5 feet above the ground, to prevent the taller stems from being blown over, but we shall see how effectively it works. To try and prevent weeds growing between the plants I have sown some thyme and marjoram seeds on the advice from Caradoc Doy and will plant them out when they are large enough. The plants are spreading and low growing perennials with purple and white flowers, having a good scent and are attractive to pollinators.

Another project is the setting up of a planted social area for the use of all TAGS members at Butts Park, using ideas again suggested by Caradoc, but we cannot proceed with the work required until we can fill the vacancy of garden project representative left by Pam Bush’s retirement. If anyone would like details of the work required, and wish to become a committee member, please contact our chairman Dave Hayes by email: hayesathome@yahoo.co.uk

Freddie Bush, President.

GARDEN JOBS TO DO IN AUGUST

1. Have a look round your garden to see if there is anything you would like to enter for our Show. It may be a beautiful rose, perfect pears, a large pumpkin or squash or maybe a freakily shaped vegetable.
2. Keep watering pots and containers and I have even had to water my bog garden.
3. Keep harvesting vegetables and fruit.
4. Cut out old raspberry canes.
5. While the weather is dry it's a good time to catch up with painting fences, sheds and benches and if there is a rainy day then tidy the shed.
6. Keep flowering plants dead headed to keep them blooming.
7. Let the lawn dry out, it won't hurt it and saves water.
8. Plant green manures on empty patches in the vegetable garden to improve the soil.
9. Look out for blanket weed which forms quite quickly in our ponds when the sun gets stronger. Remove if you are able to with a net and make sure you have a bundle of barley straw in the water. Leave what you have pulled out by the side of the pond for a day or two so any creatures can get back in.

    10. Enjoy your garden while we have the long evenings and enjoy the peace at the end of the day.

Sue Parr, Garden Rep

Hopefully you have been able to enjoy the glorious blossom and flowers in our gardens, both large and small. For instance the Museum’s Secret Gardens was a delight as always.

If you have been taking photographs now is the time to review them and see which might be good to enter in our Photo Competition, which is judged and the winners announced at our Annual Show on Sunday August 17th. The rules are :-

The 3 classes this year are Garden View, Plant Portrait and Bugs & Blooms

1. Email your photos, one at a time please to topshamags@gmail.com, limited to 2 photos per class per person i.e. to

be a maximum of 6.

2. Do not include people in your photos as we will not be able to use these.

3. Include your name, the class and any description you want to add in the

email message, but please put Photo Comp in the subject line.

4. The images need to be .JPG files and not more than 5 MB file size.

5. If you want help please email topshamags@gmail.com.

6. If you can’t email and need to print your photos please deliver or post

them to Jan Lawson, 54 Ashford Road, Topsham EX3 0LA.

7. If you have to print your photos, write your name, phone number, class

and any description on the back of each photo.

8. The photos should be recent and submitted before the deadline of 27th July.

9. The Exhibition will be displayed on the various town websites.

10. By participating in the Competition you are agreeing that your photos can be displayed publicly.

And don’t forget the Poetry Competition with the same deadline of 27th July, typed entries need to be delivered to the Topsham Bookshop or emailed to topshamags@gmail.com with Poetry Comp in the subject line. The theme for this year is ‘The Secret Life of a Garden’, imagining the hidden world of plants, insects and soil.

A big thanks to Victoria Evans and the Topsham Smock Club, a painting class for adults, for the bright and beautiful images which we have used for our poster. Show Programmes and Entry Forms are now available at Topsham Bookshop, Nancy Potter House and our Trading Hut: there are some changes to the Baking Classes, the Judge requested that cakes are made to a set recipe to make judging fairer, also that we vary these from year to year. So the Classes this year include Apple Cake, Lemon Drizzle Cake, Tea Bread as well as the ever popular Victoria Sponge. Flower Arrangement themes this year are Summer Garden Glory, Wild and Free, Monochrome Magic and Urban Jungle (for men only).

Rosie Hanvey and Richard Carson, Show Secretaries

Garden Tips for July 2025

1. Cut lavender for drying when flowers have just opened for best fragrance, but leave some for the bees.
2. Water around base of plants not leaves to make best use of that precious commodity.
3. Feed strawberry plants and tomatoes regularly with seaweed fertiliser and some flowering plants also like this.
4. No need to water lawns, they will go brown if we have a long dry spell but come to life again as soon as it rains.
5. Keep an eye in the veggy garden and harvest fruit and veg as soon as ripe and ready to eat.
6. If your mint is taking over your herb bed it can be chopped and packed into ice cube trays then frozen and popped out into a yoghurt pot, it keeps very well.
7. When camellias and other shrubs have finished flowering now is the time to cut them back and keep them in shape.
8. If you are growing some of Fred's lovely hollyhocks you can stop any rust by pruning out effected leaves and spraying with a fungicide if necessary.
9. I have had much less slug damage since the weather has been so dry. Not good weather if you are a slug I think, but perhaps not so good for the blackbirds who enjoy a nice juicy slug.

From Sue Parr, Garden Rep.

For What's On

Wednesday 11th June 9.30am-5.30pm TAGS coach trip to RHS Rosemoor. Please email topshamags@gmail.com or phone 877318 to book.

Topsham Allotments and Gardens Society Social Events

Spring has truly sprung and now we’re coming into Summer. Our trip to Lukesland in April was stunning. Bookings to go on our next trip to Rosemoor on the 11th June are coming in steadily. There’s still room as we’ve now booked a larger and rather nice coach, so do let us know if you’d like to join us by emailing topshamags@gmail.com.

Our seed, plant and kit swap on 4th May on the extended social area was very well attended. It was a busy social occasion as well, with new and existing members getting to know each other and catching up. There were plenty of plants and seeds on offer and some generous donations too. One member brought a Mini Greenhouse, another a Worm Cafe, which both went to good homes. There were many other gifts and swaps. A big thank you from us to those who supported it. There will be a lot of new and different plants grown by gardeners in Topsham as a result!

Our next organised gathering on the social area for members is planned for Saturday 14th June, but don’t forget there are chairs and tables available when the Trading Hut is open each Saturday and Sunday between 10.30 and 11.30 so bring your drink of choice and go along.

David and Stella McLarin

The Fruit, Flower and Veg Show 17th August 2025

A lot is going on behind the scenes to make this year’s Show better than ever. Seeing how things are growing at the moment we’re off to a good start. We’ve had an encouraging response to our appeal for volunteers to help with the organisation; there are still some simple jobs where help would be much appreciated such as putting up posters in the new housing areas, stuffing envelopes just before the Show and displaying Poetry Competition entries at the Show.

The theme for this year’s Poetry Competition is ‘The Secret Life of a Garden’, imagining the hidden world of plants, insects and soil. Full details will be spelled out in the Show Programme, available in early June. In the meantime key considerations include: entries must be typed (not handwritten), minimum length 10 lines, maximum 40 lines and don’t put your name on the poem itself!

Richard Carson Mobile 07788 577300

GARDEN HINTS FOR JUNE

1. Plant summer bedding and stake perennials that need support.

2. Prune any shrubs that have just finished flowering.

3. Time to plant our runner beans, beetroot, calabrese and any crops that have been started in the greenhouse.

4. Control slugs and snails by going out as it gets dark with a torch and looking under and around plants. If you have a compost bin pop the little pests in and they die happy.

5. Plant hanging baskets.

6. Put barley straw in a net in the pond to keep blanket weed down and water clear .Make sure there is some way for frogs to climb out they too will help keep the slug numbers down.

7. Remove side shoots from tomato plants.

8. Mow lawns regularly but keep a few bits longer for grubs.

9. Open greenhouse windows and you may need to put some shade in.

10. I watched pipistrelles fluttering over my lawn this week one evening, so do go out and look up at twilight.

Sue Parr

What's On

Wednesday 11th June 9.30am-5.30pm TAGS coach trip to RHS Rosemoor. Please email topshamags@gmail.com or phone 877318 to book.

The Show Goes On!

We are delighted that Rosie Hanvey and Richard Carson have got together to be our Show Secretaries and they have already got things under way. Put Sunday August 17th in your diaries now!

The Photo and Poetry Competitions are going ahead and also the Children’s Classes in the main Show, all of which generated a lot of impressive entries.

However children, parents and grandparents may want to spend any wet half term days thinking about what they might make for the Children’s Classes and of course children can enter the Poetry Competition too. Full rules will be printed in next month’s Estuary.

And warm sunny days can be spend sowing, planting and weeding for entries for the main Show, as well as your own pleasure.

The classes are going to be:-

Children’s

• Jungle Fun.

• Rainbow Bunches

• Under the Sea

Photo Competition

• Garden View
• Plant Portrait
• Bugs and Blooms.

Poetry Competition

• The Secret Life of a Garden

JOBS TO DO IN THE GARDEN MAY 2025

1. Start feeding lawns and rake out moss. However please don’t mow this month to help insect wildlife to develop. No Mow May!!!
2. Dead head daffodills and leave the leaves to die down. Do not tie up the leaves.
3. Remove brown and dead fronds from common garden ferns so that you have all fresh green in summer.
4. Ponds – if you are lucky enough to have tadpoles, do not pull out any plants until they become frogs and leave them a ramp to climb out.
5. Plant summer bulbs if you have not already done so.
6. Plant runner beans and any vegetables you expect to harvest in the summer.
7. Remove pots from forced rhubarb and leave plants to recover until next year.
8. Take care of young plants even May can still have the occasional frost.
9. Finally weed -weed-weed

But don’t forget to sit with a cuppa and admire your work.

Sue Parr, Garden Rep.

For What's On

Thursday 24th April 9.30am-5.30pm TAGS coach trip to Lukesland Gardens. Please email topshamags@gmail.com or phone 877318 to book.

Topsham Allotments and Gardens Society

We revealed our programme for the year at our AGM last month. The first coach outing will be to Lukesland on 24th April, cost £20 for TAGS members, £22 otherwise. This is a beautiful valley garden filled with early flowering shrubs. We have also arranged a trip to Rosemoor on 11th June and to Heligan on 18th March 2026. If you want to book into any of these tours then email topshamags@gmail.com. The highlight of our winter talks will be An Evening with Toby Buckland in Matthews Hall at 7.30pm on 11th November, put the date in your diaries now. More details to follow.

Gardens will be well on their way by April, so here are some of the things you could be doing, but do look out for late frosts:-

1. Sow

a new lawns and or repair bare patches

b Sweet Peas at the base of supports and transplant those sown last autumn into their final position.

c hardy annuals such as Love in the Mist, Marigolds and Wild flowers into gaps in borders

d outdoor varieties of Tomatoes, Chillies and Courgettes in pots undercover and plant out in May or June

e small batches of rocket and other salad leaves.

2.

a Enjoy instant colour by planting Primulas and Polyanthus at front of borders or on patio

b Plant second early and maincrop Potatoes

c Continue planting bare-root Asparagus crowns, Jerusalem Artichoke tubers, garlic, shallots and onions every few weeks to extend the cropping period

d When planting brassicas place cardboard collars around their stems to deter cabbage root fly from laying their eggs. Make sure they are firmly planted and consider staking brussels sprouts and broccoli so they don’t rock.

3. Divide clumps of hardy perennials such as hostas, rudbeckias and asters and replant. Divide clumps of herbs and replant in pots, borders or a herb bed.

4. Other care

a Protect new shoots of Hostas, Delphiniums, Lupins and other vulnerable plants from late frosts.

b Prune Hydrangeas (if not already done) by cutting back to healthy new shoots

c Pinch out tops of Broad Beans if they are covered in aphids or spray shoots with soap based solution

d Check tree stakes and make sure they are not cutting into the trunk. Loosen any tight ones.

A busy but exciting time ahead. ENJOY.

Pam Bush and Sue Parr, Garden Reps.

1. TOPSHAM ALLOTMENTS AND GARDENS SOCIETY

Spring is definitely on its way now after a challenging and stormy winter. We The Topsham Allotments and Gardens Society hold our AGM on 12th March. We particularly invite our existing and prospective Garden members to attend.  It's at the social area at the back of St Margaret’s Church, 7.00 for 7.30 pm.

Due to our increased numbers we've moved to a change of venue to our printed programme and next year we hope to hold it in Matthews Hall.

We'veput  GARDENS in bold to stress that this is primarily a Gardeners society and you do NOT need an Allotment to join, not even a garden. Garden Members account for over 2/3rds of our nearly 300 members. We do not have an allotment ourselves but if you do you are also very welcome. We have many Allotment Holder Members but some have chosen not to join, which is a shame as the cost is small.

This is a good time to join or renew your membership of TAGS which runs from 1st April each year. The annual subscription is still a mere £4 for singles, £6 for a couple at the same address, bank transfer, cash or cheque please. We suggest you turn up in good time to join or renew your membership before the meeting starts, as we have a bit of a social gathering after!!

If you are not yet a member but are considering joining, then come along to hear what we do and see if you'd like to join us.

The benefits include :-

Getting to know other Topsham people who are interested in Gardening.

Use of our Trading Hut on Butts Park Allotments

Use of our Social area next to the Hut where you can arrange to bring a drink and meet other members at any time.

Prior notice of our 3 annual trips to noteable Gardens , which gives you chance to secure your place.

We host talks by fascinating speakers, our own Gardeners Question Time with 2 local professional gardeners, and hold other events.

As TAGS members you can get Half price entry to any RHS garden for 2 people by presenting our RHS affiliation card.

You can join in our popular plant and seed swap each May, visits to other members gardens, and social meetings at the Trading Hut/social area.

We look forward to seeing you, for new and existing members, do seek us out and say hello!

Stella and David McLarin

Social Secretaries

JOBS TO DO IN THE GARDEN AND ON THE ALLOTMENT IN MARCH 2025

1. Leave cleaning up the garden as late as possible until the litter interferes with new growth – this could be as late as April.
2. Vegetables to sow – continue sowing seeds outdoors in mild areas i.e. broad beans, carrots, parsnip, beetroot, onions, lettuce and lettuce leaves, radish, peas, spinach, summer cabbage, leeks, Swiss chard, kohl rabi, turnips, summer cauliflower and squash, and tomatoes.
3. Plant shallots, onion sets and early potatoes.
4. Sow summer flowering annuals such as Zinnias, Salvia, Marigolds, Petunias and Nicotiana, all indoors or greenhouse.
5. Spring is an ideal time to plant herbaceous perennials, including Geraniums, Astrantia, Oriental Poppies and summer flowering bulbs. Prepare soil first and make sure it is draining well.
6. Plant evergreen shrubs and trees left unplanted since the Autumn and in warmer areas evergreen trees and shrubs can be moved in late March but, if cold weather persists, leave until April.
7. Sow wild flower mixtures into well prepared and raked soil.
8. Top up pots and containers with fresh compost.
9. Protect new shoots from slugs.
10. Mow lawns on a dry day, if needed.
11. Last chance to prune roses so take off and bin any leaves with blackspot and remove any leaves that have fallen to the ground.

A busy but exciting month ahead.

Pam Bush and Sue Parr, Garden Reps.

What's On

Wednesday 12th February  7.30pm TAGS' Gardeners Question Time at St Nicks

GARDENERS QUESTION TIME

We are delighted that the dynamic duo, Caradoc Doy and Saul Walker, are on the panel for our own Gardeners Question Time, to be held at St Nicks on Wednesday 12th February at 7.30pm. You don’t have to book to come but it might be an idea to send any questions or problems in to topshamags@gmail.com by Thursday 6th February, so we can give our panelists a bit of time to think about them. Don’t worry if you can’t do that, they are happy to take other questions too. Cost £4 for TAGS members, £5 otherwise, cash only please.

Sadly we still haven’t had any voluteers to be Show Secretary, so how about making that a New Year’s Resolution? It’s not too late. Speak to any committee member, phone 01392 877318 or email as above if you are interested.

Stella and David McLarin Social Secs

JOBS TO DO ON THE ALLOTMENT AND GARDEN IN FEBRUARY.

1. February is the last month of Winter and is frequently the coldest. It is the end of the dormant period for many plants so the last opportunity to plant out perennials and fruit trees. Timing is tricky as the ground is sometimes too frozen to dig with a spade or garden fork so leave a while if necessary.

2. Clip, prune and cut off dying foliage, check for diseases and pests. Prune summer flowering deciduous shrubs between February and March, usually those that flower on the current year’s growth.

3. A good time to bring Hedges back under control if needed – always check for nesting birds before trimming. August to March is the best time to trim your hedges, birds don’t tend to nest in Winter.

4. Prune shrubs that need regular pruning such as Buddleja davidi, Ceratostigma, Hydrangea paniculata, Lavatera, Leycenteria, Perovskia, hardy Fuschias and deciduous Ceanothus.

5. The best vegetables to plant in February are onions, shallots, garlic, peas, pea shoots, lettuce and cabbage.

6. Chit potatoes in early February and they should be ready to plant in prepared ground by the end of the month or early March.

7. Start sowing Tomatoes and Cucumber seeds in the greenhouse.

8. Bulbs to plant in February are: Liatrism, Alliums and Galtonia. Lilies are easy going so can be planted anytime between Autumn and Spring.

9. You still have time to sow cool season annuals indoors such as Pansies, Dianthus, Calendula, Daisies, Ranunculus, Monkey flower, Poppies, Primula, Veronica and Forget-me-nots.

10. Lift and divide snowdrops.

A busy time but Spring is on the way.

Pam Bush and Sue Parr, Garden reps.

For What's On

Thursday 16th January at about 6pm Topsham Wassail - more details on TAGS Facebook page later

Wednesday 12th February  7.30pm TAGS' Gardeners Question Time at St Nicks

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL….AND HAPPY GARDENING!!
Thankfully the days are already starting to lengthen so some plants will be starting to stir, even in the depths of winter.  Therefore our list of jobs for January feature a lot of ideas on how to propagate many of your favourite plants when the weather is clement. Cuttings must not get waterlogged, indeed most plants prefer to be on the dry side during winter, so raise potted plants onto bricks or similar. Potatoes can start to be chitted, ready for planting out in March. January is also the month for waking up our apple trees by Wassailing them, we hope to do exactly that on 16th January so check our Facebook page for details closer to the time.

We do hope that someone’s New Year’s Resolution is to be our Show Secretary, or it could be a Job Share or be a couple. Matthews Hall is booked for 17th August and an established team will do most of the groundwork, it just needs someone to field any queries and check that everything stays on track. Feel free to talk to any member of our Committee about it. Even the judges are booked so we would hate to have to cancel it. Contact us on topshamags@gmail.com if you are tempted or would like to know more.

David and Stella McLarin  Social Secretaries

JOBS TO DO ON THE ALLOTMENT AND GARDEN IN JANUARY

    1. Plant bare root roses, shrubs, hedging and ornamental trees, as long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged.  Be guided by the weather.

    2. Take root cuttings of fleshy rooted perennials such as ornamental poppies, acanthus and verbascum.

    3. Take hardwood cuttings from deciduous shrubs, such as forsythia, willow and viburnam.

    4. Establish new colonies of snowdrops and hellebores – buying plants in flower so you can choose the flowers you want. Do not deadhead snowdrops after flowering but allow to go to seed to spread the display.

    5. Remove and bin hellebore foliage marked with black blotches to limit the spread of leaf spot disease.

    6. Divide winter pansies and other bedding plants regularly and remove any foliage affected by downy mildew.

    7. A good time to move deciduous shrubs that are in the wrong place to a more suitable site.

    8. Check for rot on stored bulbs and tubers and ensure dahlia and canna tubers haven’t totally dried out.

    9. Continue pruning climbing roses while they are dormant and remove and bin leaves with black spot.

Weather permitting there is plenty to do but keep warm and look after the wildlife by ensuring access to fresh water.

For What's On

Thursday 15th January at about 6pm Topsham Wassail - more details next month

TOPSHAM ALLOTMENTS AND GARDENS SOCIETY

This year has not been a great year for gardens, but some plants have prospered while others have struggled. Our thoughts turn to the coming year, ordering seeds and mulching the beds, before we know it buds will be breaking again.

One event which is potentially under threat is our Annual Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Show. Sadly, to date, no-one has seized the chance to take up the role of Show Secretary. This is a shame. It’s an opportunity to work with a tried and tested team who are great to work with. It’s also a chance to meet many of the active people throughout Topsham as well as in TAGS. The role is best suited to someone who can co-ordinate and work with this well established team. The Secretary just needs to ensure that all the elements are covered but can introduce new ideas if he or she wishes. The end result is very rewarding and great fun. Couples have done this in the past, so you don't have to do it on your own! If you’re interested drop us an e-mail to topshamags@gmail.com.

If you don’t think that is for you, we also have room on our Committee to replace one of our 3 Garden Representatives who is retiring. TAGS’ aims are to promote and support the interests of gardening and allotment holding, encourage the improvement of the natural environment within the local community. Also for members to enjoy learning more about gardening, making friends and having fun on the way.

Over two thirds of our over 300 members are garden members. It would be good to have another Garden Representative to speak for them and to help with some of the activities we undertake, like the Plant and Seed Swap and the TAGS open gardens for members. There are only 6 committee meetings a year so it is not onerous but it is a good chance to get to know many of our members.

David and Stella McLarin, Social Secs.

JOBS TO DO IN THE GARDEN IN DECEMBER 2024

If it is too wet and cold to work outside, there is always plenty to do inside.

1. Sow seeds of Allium, Sweet Peas, Lathyrus Geranium and Antirrhinum as well as Wild Flower seeds - all indoors or in greenhouse.

2. You can sow Chilli, herbs, (basil, dill, chives and mint) and vegetable seeds indoors or in greenhouse.

3. Sow winter hardy salad seeds under cover i.e.. Winter Gem and Artic Dwarf lettuce.

But outside –

1. Prune apple and pear trees but not those espaliered against a wall (these are best done late summer). Also prune acers, birch and vines before Christmas to avoid bleeding.

2. Plant rhubarb

3. Sow garlic and broad beans if not already done so.

4. Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage and sprouts, plus any remaining root crops.

5. Take hardwood cuttings.

6. Dig over empty borders, prepare and mulch ready for next year’s planting.

7. Insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing over, if you have fish, by melting sections of ice or installing a pond heater. A football left floating also helps to keep some open water.

Pam Bush and Sue Parr, Garden Reps.

TOPSHAM ALLOTMENTS AND GARDENS SOCIETY

We had a full coach for our last trip of the year to RHS Rosemoor. It was as impressive as ever and Roger Webster’s Hot Garden is still looking wonderful. Despite the showers everyone enjoyed the day and many took full advantage of the offers in the plant shop.

In September Caradoc Doy gave members an action packed introduction to taking cuttings on our social area on Butts Park (see photo). We’re extra grateful to him as, with the numerous questions, it ran well over the allotted time!

The social area is proving to be a valuable asset. We used it for our annual summer pre Show picnic as well as monthly meet ups and it’s there for members to just meet up to chat.

Our next event is a talk by Caradoc Doy on Wondeful Winter Flowering Interest. It’s on 20th November at 7.30pm at St Nicks. No need to book, come along with £4 if you are a TAGS member, £5 otherwise. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided after.

David and Stella McLarin, Social Secs

JOBS TO DO IN THE GARDEN IN NOVEMBER 2024
    1. Put frost protection around tender plants or move into the house or greenhouse.
    2. Raise containers onto “feet” to stop water clogging and keep the bottom of pots out of water and the compost from freezing.  Insulate outdoor                        containers from frost – bubble wrap works well.
    3. Plant tulip bulbs and other bulbs in situ for a Spring display and sow all pea varieties in the greenhouse or cold frame.
    4. Prune roses to prevent wind-rock if you haven’t already done so.
    5. Stop Winter Moth damage to fruit trees using grease bands around the trunks.
    6. Put out bird feed and water to encourage winter birds into the garden.
    7. Use seasonal bonfires – where allowed – to dispose of debris unfit for composting. If conditions are too wet for bonfires and going on the soil, then              spend your time turning your compost heaps to improve aeration and speed up the composting process, as good as a visit to the gym!
    8.  Cover brassicas with netting.
    9. Put a support system in place for raspberry canes before planting. This is a good time to move raspberry runners into tidier rows.
    10. Plant bare root trees and shrubs and it is a perfect time to plant hedging.
When the weather is too bad to be outside, enjoy the garden catalogues inside and plan for next year.

                Pam Bush and Sue Parr, Garden Reps.