About the Group
2024 started off with an informal gathering at Buckingham Garden Centre which gave members a chance to chat and enjoy refreshments. This is a change from our usual format of having a speaker or visiting a garden, which often leaves little opportunity to exchange news and views with people you might only meet at the gardening meetings.
In February we challenged members with a quiz and in March we held ‘Amateur Gardeners’ Questions’, along with a segment about cucumbers from Rodney Glew, a talk from Master Composter, Ruth Newell, and readings from Every Day Nature by me!
April saw us head out Banbury way to the National Herb Centre for a wander around their different garden areas, garden centre and, of course, extensive herb collection. The tearoom provided excellent cake and tea/coffee.
In May we made our second visit to the local Swallows Nursery and Plant Centre at Mixbury where Anna made us very welcome and Holly demonstrated planting up a large tub for a shady area.
June saw us make our second visit to Quainton Old Rectory Garden which is a garden quite different to any others we have visited. There are areas of tranquility and peace and beautiful vistas, a lake and a wonderful refreshment spot. This garden opens once a year in the National Gardens Scheme and otherwise a visit has to be with a group, or, indeed, if you are into Pilates, yoga and wild swimming, you can book to attend a day based on these activities.
In July we are heading to Jimmy’s Garden in Silverstone, no meeting in August, September to be arranged.
I don’t like to think about the Autumn meetings yet - still waiting for summer to arrive. At least after our wet spring and early summer our gardens are pretty full of greenery and flowers, and hopefully fruit and veg.
If you are tempted to join us on the 3rd Wednesday afternoon of most months you’d be made most welcome. Please drop me a line via the U3A Website where you can find my contact details.
Happy Gardening, and garden visiting
Margaret Clarke
Group Coordinator Gardening Wednesday Group