Dear Member,

🥔 Seed Potatoes & Bulbs

If you still need seed potatoes — or fancy adding a few more — we have a small selection left, along with garlic, a handful of onion sets, and the last of the summer‑flowering bulbs.

Peppers and tomato plants will be available very soon (see below).

🎟️ Membership Prize Draw

The final three numbers will be drawn this weekend as the free prize draw comes to an end.

All vouchers must be used by 5 April, so please claim your £10 voucher promptly.

🥕 Growing Carrots

For the past few years I’ve grown carrots in large pots using Thatcher’s compost.

After mixed results, I discovered that sowing into John Innes No.2 gives far better germination.

My method now:

• Fill most of the pot/bed with Thatcher’s
• Add a top layer of John Innes No.2
• Sow into that layer for stronger, more reliable growth

It works beautifully in raised beds too.

🌿 Sow Your Peas

I’ve just sown all my peas for the year. A helpful tip:

Soak peas for 12 hours before sowing — they should be 5–7 days ahead in growth.

My method:

• Use jiffy pots
• Place 3–4 seeds in each
• Plant out the whole pot when ready — easier on the soil and gentler on the roots

🫑 Plants for Sale – Update

Our peppers are looking excellent, so they will be on sale:

🗓️ Saturday 4 April & Sunday 5 April

• Price: 75p per plant
• Donation: 25p from each sale goes to Willen Hospice

There will be no peppers or tomatoes on sale the following weekend (11th & 12th) due to our 50th anniversary celebrations.

A small number of tomato plants may be available on 4–5 April.

Please bring your own tray or container, as we have none to give away this year.

🌼 Time to Get Started With

You should now be planting:

• Onion sets
• Shallots
• Garlic
• Early seed potatoes

When planting potatoes, add a handful of potato fertiliser (or chicken pellets) into the hole and surrounding soil before covering.

🌱 Time to Sow

You can sow these directly into the ground now:

• Carrots
• Parsnips
• Beetroot
• Spinach
• Spring onions
• Peas
• Radish
• Broad beans
• Lettuce

Sow these in modules to grow on before transplanting:

• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Kale
• Leeks

Courgettes and squashes are best started in mid‑May, but if you can keep them frost‑free, you can start them now.

🏆 Competitions Update

Still time to join in:

• Treasure Map: A few squares left — pick 5 squares for £1.
• Guess the Beans in the Jar
• Guess the Weight of the Cake (winner takes the cake!)

All competitions close Sunday 12 April, with results announced the same day.

🎉 WHGAA 50th Anniversary Celebrations

As announced last week, members will receive special discounts:

Saturday 11 April

🕙 10am–12 noon

⭐ 5% discount on all purchases

Sunday 12 April

🕙 10am–2pm

⭐ 10% discount on all purchases

🥨 Nibbles available

🏆 Competition results announced

🎖️ Mayor attending around midday

💙 Willen Hospice representative present to receive the donation total

Please come along, join in, and celebrate with us.

💰 Fertiliser Offer Ends This Weekend

The 10% discount on all WHGAA bagged fertiliser ends this weekend.

Prices have been reduced on 2.5kg, 5kg, and 25kg bags.

Happy Gardening,

Mick Goodman

Membership Secretary