Dear Member,

🌞 Late‑Season Growing

Normally in September we begin clearing plots, but with the warm weather things are different this year. It’s worth leaving produce growing a little longer to squeeze out a few more vegetables for the table (or freezer).

🥔 Potatoes should not be left in the ground much longer — they will get eaten and won’t store well over winter.

🧅 Prepare for Autumn Planting

Your soil may be very hard, making digging difficult, but do try to prepare an area for your onion sets, shallots, and garlic.

These are generally planted in October / November so they can establish before winter.

🏆 WHGAA Garden & Allotment Produce Show

It’s time to get your produce ready — onions, brassicas, flowers… take a look around and decide what you’ll be entering.

📍 Caroline Haslett Primary School, Faraday Drive, Shenley Lodge, MK5 7DF

📅 This Saturday, 5th September

🕤 Entries accepted: 9:30–12 noon (doors close for judging)

🕑 Viewing: From 2pm — members, entrants, and friends welcome

🏅 Prizegiving: 2:30pm by Kevin Whately

🔨 Auction: Donated produce auctioned afterwards, with all proceeds going to charity

🌿 On the Plot

• 🎃 Pumpkins & Squash — Cut back leaves shading fruits so the sun can ripen skins for winter storage. Pick before frosts.
• 🌿 Herbs — Pot up chives, mint, and parsley for a sunny windowsill through winter.
• 🧹 Paths & Borders — Weeding and edging now saves heavy work later in the wet season.
• 🌻 Sunflowers — Leave seed heads for birds.

🌱 Still Time to Sow

• 🥬 Spinach — Thrives in cool autumn soil.
• 🫘 Broad Beans — Autumn sowing gives strong roots and earlier spring harvests. Mick pots them first to establish before planting out.

🌼 Plant Spring Bulbs

Get daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths in the ground now.

🌷 Tulips — Hold until November.

All available from The Hut.

🎄 Get Ready for a Christmas Display

Time to plant Amaryllis and Hyacinths for Christmas flowering.

• 🌺 Amaryllis: 6–10 weeks
• 🌸 Hyacinths: 11–14 weeks (require a spell in the dark)

A good range is available at The Hut — grab them while stocks last.

🐌 Slug Control

Warm weather may have caused complaints, but one thing stands out: NO SLUGS.

Sales of slug pellets at The Hut are well down compared to previous years.

📋 Planning Ahead

• 🌾 Collect Seeds — Save from your best plants, dry, label, and store.
• 🔄 Plan Crop Rotation — Helps reduce soil‑borne disease and balance nutrients.
• 🛠️ Tools — Clean and sharpen ready for next year.

🌷 Spring Flowering Bulbs – Now in The Hut

• Amaryllis – £7.25 (or any two for £13.50)
• Hyacinths – £4.25 per pack (or any two for £7.50)
• Tulips – £4.40 per pack (or any two for £8)
• Narcissi – £3.75 per pack (or any two for £6.50)

Plus Alliums, Crocus, and Fritillaria.

📣 WHGAA AGM – 50th Anniversary

📍 River Valley Centre, White Horse Drive, Emerson Valley MK4 2AS

📅 Friday 2nd October

Please add it to your diary.

🛍️ September Offers

• 10% off Westlands bonsai, rose, citrus, and houseplant composts
• 50% discount continues for selected August sale items

🌼 Happy Gardening

Mick Goodman

Membership Secretary