At our October Meeting we were delighted to welcome Ros Epson to talk to about meadows. Ros is an early adopter of garden meadows having planted one in her garden 20 years ago. Who knew there are so many different types of meadows? Alpine meadows, wet meadows, dry meadows, forest meadows, grass meadows, high meadows, low meadows and even cultivated meadows.

If you would like to plant a meadow in your garden, remove all turf, scarify the soil and then sow your seeds. Watch and wait. When the meadow is established you will need to mow it at the appropriate times, leave the cuttings for two days so the seed falls from the flower heads and then rake up all the cuttings for compost. if this sounds like hard work you could consider buying a sheep or two or a couple of cattle to do the work for you! In summary, a meadow in your garden will make your heart sing with joy, unless you are a garden footballer – in which case stay with grass as a trampled meadow will make you cry.

Judith McCann, Secretary AHS.

The Royal Horticultural Society garden at Wisley in Surrey is the oldest and most diverse of all RHS gardens. There is something there for everyone and in every season.

We had a great day with perfect weather.

Some of us spent too much in the shop and garden centre, but our gardens will benefit the new plantings.

Some Wisley ideas to copy?

Exotic and tender plants in the Glasshouse where their natural environments are replicated.

We grow many of them as houseplants – but smaller!

We are very pleased to say that our Open Gardens event raised £3421.50 for local charities.

Thank you to all who came to view the gardens – and eat cake and other goodies!

We hope you had an enjoyable afternoon and if you’re an Aldersbrook or Lakehouse resident might think about opening your garden next time.