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.
Wednesday 11th February 7.30pm Talk from Bella Given on Dahlias in St Nicks
Topsham Allotments and Gardens Society
Now the shortest day is past we can look forward again to spring, so we wish you a very happy and productive year to come. It is already time to look out for opportunities to prune trees for instance, before they start in growth again. A case in point is the Topsham Wassail where we gather to praise our apple trees and encourage them to start growing. This year it will take place on Friday 16th January, look out for details from the Goat Walk Land Trust.
Our next event is a talk by Bella Given on Dahlias on 11th February in St Nicks, more details next month. Another date for your diary is 18th March when we are planning a coach trip to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Please email topshamags@gmail.com for details and to book.
We were delighted to host Toby Buckland in Matthews Hall for a fantastic talk on Food for the Eye and Interesting Edibles, a run through of some different plants you might want to try which are both good to look at and good to eat. He imparted his knowledge and insight with his usual dose of humour.
For a change we will feature a plant each month, rather than a list of tips. If you want to review our past tips for each month of the year they will be available on our website at topshamags.co.uk/estuary-articles.
Stella and David McLarin – Social Secs
Our poem which seemed very appropriate for January was written by Roger Bishop – enjoy!
GARDEN BLUES
In January as the rain came down
I surveyed my garden with a frown.
All was bleak and looking scrubby
Blackened sticks and all was muddy
In February, despite being old
I cleaned the pots in freezing cold.
The March rains poured, causing floods
That rotted bulbs and my chitted spuds.
April gales broke greenhouse panes and scattered cloches
Flowers of the Month February
The birthday flower for February is the violet and wild violets may appear in your lawn about the middle of the month and the leaves may stay even during the winter. There is also a white variety. Any wild flower that makes its home in my garden is welcome and a delight.
There are two daffodils, Narcissus February Gold and Narcissus February Silver. These two are very early daffodils, Silver is a dwarf cultivar, up to 20cms in height and Gold is a little larger at 30cms and both are perennials.
For me though, February heralds a little pale mauve crocus which has become wild in my garden and comes up in the lawn as well. I cannot give you the name as the original was planted so many years ago and I have failed to match it with a botanic name. As well as providing cheerful colour, crocuses provide important early food for pollinators, which daffodils generally do not.
Daffodil and crocus bulbs should be planted in late autumn, most are happy in dappled shade and can be naturalised in lawns. A rule of thumb when planting any bulb or corm is to place the bottom of the bulb 2 to 2.5 times the height of the bulb down with the pointed end upwards. So, for example, a bulb of 2 inches should be placed in a hole 4-5 inches deep. This usually means that crocuses should be planted 3-4 inches deep, daffodils 4-8 inches deep. Also try not to place the bulbs on the ground where you are going to plant them because mice and squirrels may pick up the scent and try to dig them up - and we will have made the job easier by digging the soil over ourselves.
If you want more tips on jobs for February do look at the Estuary Articles section of our website, topshamags.co.uk.
Sue Parr, Garden representative
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!!
